(Anne Bedrick at her Art Studio in the Perez Arts District in Cathedral City)

Cathedral City, CA

When she moved here in 2019 from NY, Anne Bedrick dreamed of being part of a vibrant art community with a gallery fronted studio adjacent to other artists.  At the time, the Backstreet Art District in Palm Springs seemed like the only area akin to what she pictured.  But it was fully rented.  Two of the artists there suggested she look at the Perez Art District near Downtown Cathedral City, a once vibrant art area that had for the most part lost all of its artists and returned to its industrial roots.  Despite this, Bedrick could see its potential and rented a space.  

At the time there were only a few other art spaces and despite Cathedral City’s tag line, “Where Art Lives”, no one seemed to know about the area.  With only three galleries participating that first year, Bedrick spearheaded the first-Friday monthly art walks, spreading the word through social media and word of mouth, trying to create a buzz.

Additionally, Bedrick immersed herself in the larger art community, trying to get connected to other artists.  She volunteered for the Artists Council, leading their critique group, book club and marketing group, where she met many of the artists in the valley.  

Over the next three years, and all throughout the pandemic, Bedrick and others such as Kim Manfredi, another local artist renting an art studio in the Perez Art District, continued to try to raise awareness of the Perez Art District.  And, every time there was a vacancy at Perez, they and others put the word out to other artists encouraging them to take a studio with the idea that the Perez Art District could become a vibrant destination for tourists, designers, and art lovers. 

(Kim Manfredi, Local Artist at Perez Arts District)

From only a few art spaces in 2019 to nearly 30 in 2023, it seems like Bedrick’s dream is coming true.  During the February 2023 monthly art walk, hundreds of art lovers and collectors visited the artists in their spaces. 

Bedrick adds, “It’s hard to believe I had to talk artists into coming here and now so many want to join us that there is a waitlist for studios!”

Next season, beginning in the Fall, the monthly art walk will move from First-Fridays, to Fourth-Fridays at Four, to spread out the events to other weekends.  Bedrick says, “During pandemic we were the only event in town, but now there are many other events for art lovers on the First-Fridays , including El Paseo’s art walk, Desert Art Center’s openings, and openings at other smaller venues and galleries as well.  It will benefit all of us to have our event on an alternate Friday.  For now however, art walks will continue on First Fridays, through the end of the current season.”

The Perez Art District is in buildings H and I, 68845 and 68895 Perez Rd, Cathedral City, where the public can see practicing artists in their workspaces, learn about their processes, and buy art directly.  

In addition to Anne Bedrick and Kim Manfredi, the following artists currently have studios in the district:

Kippi Leonard (H13); Shelley Heffler (H14); Sammy Zelcer, Noreen Coup, and Tony Cappoli (H15); Kim Manfredi (H21); George Byron and Konrad Carter (H22); Ryan Campbell (H25); Elan Vital (H26); Anne Bedrick (H27); Chase Langford (H28); Kersteen Anderson and Barbara Boissevain (H29); Debi Grupe and Keith Skipton (H30); Michael Harrington, Wyman Lancaster, Peri G and others (i4); Xenia Smith (i8); Kurt Glowienke (i13); Robert Landry (i14); Andrée B. Carter (i17); Dana Swanson Patel (i22); Juliette Vos, Chris Stone, and Robert Seabrook (i26); Rick Dinihanian (i27).  And, besides those who work there regularly, some of the spaces occasionally host additional artists.  In short, there is always plenty to see.  

This season, join them on First Fridays, from 5-8pm for their monthly art-walk on March 3, April 7, May 5, and June 2, 2023.  Additionally many of the artists open to the public throughout the rest of the month.  

Next season, please remember to join them on Fourth Fridays at Four beginning October 27, 2023.