For as long as I can remember art has held a special place in my heart. When I was very young my mom painted the walls of my bedroom to look like a garden. She even painted pretty scenes at my preschool. When I was in elementary school we did The Pageant of the Arts! It was a show the 4th & 5th graders put on. Each kid would get a costume & learn a dance that matched a famous Artist’s painting. Together we put on a performance that would bring the art to life & taught us the value of art at a very young age.

I have always felt that art is one of the few things that truly brings people together. One part I love most about going to festivals are the amazing art exhibits. Seeing everyone walk into the grounds amazed by the huge pieces is so cool. The first time I noticed one of Phillip K. Smith’s works of art was at Coachella 2016. That year I was a little underwhelmed by the installations, the one piece that stood out was Portals by Phillip K Smith III.

It was clear people were mesmerized by the work. To this day, it is one of my favorite installations I have ever seen. So when I heard the artist was setting up another piece I had to see it.

In November of 2016, Phillip K Smith III put up the 1/4 Mile Arc in Laguna Beach. I just so happened to meet a few of the people who were helping install it, so I went to check it out. As they secured the last pole, people were coming up to us asking what was going on. What was this thing! It was so neat to see everyone enthralled by his work & appreciating the beauty it was reflecting. I also got to meet him!

Desert X is a collection of site-specific works throughout the Coachella Valley & Desert. Each project’s goal is to “amplify and articulate global & local issues that may range from climate change to starry skies, from tribal culture & immigration, to tourism, gaming, & golf. [It is] a way to see the valley & reflect on serious & playful issues through the lens of the participating artists”

The Circle of Land & Sky by Phillip K Smith III is one of the installations that is free and open to the public till April 30th 2017. When I went, there were not that many people so it was easy to appreciate the beauty of it.

Even though it was very similar to the 1/4 Mile Arc, being in the desert brings a new life to this project! If you have a chance be sure to stop by & check it out for yourself! Below is a map of all the Desert X installations! 

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What I’m Wearing

Dress by Novella Royale