One only has to head to the Uptown Design District’s galleries to know that Palm Springs is a community that embraces the arts. Maybe you have even taken a break on one of our painted benches at the airport and scattered throughout town or visited the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Palm Springs is home to many fine artists, covering every genre. We have visual artists, musicians, singers, authors, architects, potters, chefs, dancers, and we cannot forget the many people who take part in outstanding dramatic plays. Here are three local artists making waves.

Anne Faith Nicholls, visual artist

Anne Faith Nicholls in front of a piece of her artwork. Photo courtesy of Anne Faith Nicholls

Anne Faith Nicholls is a contemporary artist known for her neo-Surrealist paintings. I was delighted when I got to visit her gallery and see some of her paintings in progress and look through an art book in which she is featured. Her creations are in private and museum collections, and she participates in international fairs. If you have driven down Tahquitz Boulevard in Palm Springs, you have passed her public sculpture, “Serenity.” She has also been honored to create a sculpture, “Water Totem,” for El Paseo Boulevard in Palm Desert.

Anne Faith Nicholls’ “Black Angry Swan.” Photo courtesy of Anne Faith Nicholls

Compelled to stretch herself, Anne and her husband take extensive trips to places like Portugal, Spain, and Japan, where they immerse themselves in the culture and their understanding of humankind deepens. Each adventure impacts her work, which enables her to expand her creative process.

You can contact Anne and set up a studio visit by sending an email to annefathnicholls@gmail.com

Gregory Douglass, musician and songwriter

Gregory Douglass sits at his piano, ready to play. Photo courtesy of Gregory Douglass

Gregory Douglass is a self-taught musician who describes his adult alternative genre as “evocative pop.” He is an internationally acclaimed recording artist with 10 original albums independently released.

When I met him, Gregory said he didn’t want to be background music at a restaurant — he wanted people to listen to him. It wasn’t until I went to one of his solo concerts that I understood why. I also discovered he has a great, authentic sense of humor. One of the special aspects of his performances is that he is a storyteller, so between songs you get an understanding of where the lyrics and music touched him. At a recent concert, he was the voice of Karen Carpenter in a tribute performance, accompanied by Michael Orland, former music director of American Idol.

To reach Gregory, send an email to gregory@PalmSpringsGuys.com, or visit his website for more information and a schedule of events. A celebration of his latest album is scheduled for Nov. 16 at Revolution Stage Theater in Palm Springs.

Marconi Calindas-Cafége, visual artist

Marconi Calindas-Cafége is as colorful as his art. Photo courtesy of Marconi Calindas-Cafége

Nicknamed “The Happy Artist,” Marconi Calindas-Cafége’s work is known for having vivid colors and striking black lines. His images reflect resilience, diversity, and the shared bonds that unite us, and are often-large scale and found in surprising places. While in downtown Palm Springs, I observed that Marconi has not only repurposed a bench into an art piece but also transformed a humble street electrical box using his artistic flair.

Marconi Calindas-Cafége’s modern artistic take on Rosie the Riveter. Photo courtesy of Marconi Calindas-Cafége

Marconi’s award-winning art has been featured in cities around the world, including New York, Miami, and Toronto, and is featured in the Palm Springs Art Museum. His gallery, Galleria Marconi, is in the Backstreet Art District. When you attend the Backstreet Art Walk on the first Wednesday evening of each month, you will, more than likely, have the opportunity to meet this positive artist, who radiates happiness and warmth wherever he goes.

Marconi can be contacted through email at calindasmarconi@me.com

Experience the arts in Palm Springs

As one can see, the arts are alive and well in Palm Springs. Venues such as the Revolution Stage Theatre, the soon-to-be-opened Plaza Theatre, the Palm Springs Cultural Center, the Palm Canyon Theatre, and the Agua Caliente Casino all showcase our artists. Often, the Palm Springs Art Museum Annenberg Theatre surprises us with special events revealing even more talent living in the Coachella Valley.

If you are planning your stay at one of our Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels, I urge you to check these venues’ calendars.  Attend their events and help support our artists while you are visiting our city.