The 6th Annual Desert Open Studios returns to the Coachella Valley from January 23–25, 2026, offering art lovers the opportunity to explore more than 150 artists’ studios across the region. This year introduces a special feature, Curated Tours, a new way to experience the breadth of creativity that defines the desert’s thriving art scene.

Curated Tours are self-guided routes designed by respected figures from the art world and community. Each tour highlights a unique theme and perspective, featuring a selection of artists whose work reflects the richness and diversity of desert art and culture.

This year’s Curated Tours are:

• Steven Biller – The Painted Desert
  Editor and writer specializing in California art, Biller’s tour celebrates artists who carry
  forward the California desert’s storied legacy of landscape painting.
• Kelly Golightly – Desert Muses
  Creative director, lifestyle influencer, and fashion designer, Golightly leads visitors into
  the studios of seven trailblazing women whose art reflects the light, texture, and soul of
  the Coachella Valley.
• Elizabeth Armstrong – The Materialists
  Independent curator and former Director of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Armstrong
  showcases artists who transform raw organic matter and repurposed relics into powerful
  visual statements.
• Chris Blades – Founders’ Hidden Gems
  Executive Director and Co-Founder of Desert Open Studios, Blades offers a full-day
  journey through the desert’s most remarkable and often overlooked creative spaces.

Each Curated Tour adds a layer of insight and personality to the Desert Open Studios experience, allowing visitors to shape their own journey through the region’s dynamic and evolving art landscape.

Editors and writers interested in covering this year’s Curated Tours may request additional content, interviews, or images. Coverage helps sustain this community-driven event and supports the artists who define the creative life of the Coachella Valley. I will be forwarding details, including artists names in subsequent releases, but please if you need them sooner, don’t hesitate to reach out.

For more information or media materials, please contact:

Kim Manfredi at 443.286.5343 or kimmanfredi@mac.com

Thank you again for your continued support of the tour,

Sincerely,

Kim