The Tour began with a simple idea in 2020

Now in its fifth year, our very popular Desert Open Studios Tour provides an opportunity for Coachella Valley artists to open their studios and behind-the-scenes spaces to the public, shining a light on their unique creative processes and practices. The tour is intended to deepen and broaden the relationship between artist and art-loving audiences and is a unique way for the public to interact with artists: observe their process, purchase artwork, watch demonstrations, and explore spaces usually not open to the public.

Desert Open Studios was created in 2020 by three Coachella Valley based artists; Lynda Keeler, Anne Bedrick, and Kim Manfredi, together with art appreciator, Chris Blades

Meet our team of advisors & volunteers for the 2025 tour

Kim Manfredi

Kim Manfredi is an American artist and MICA graduate (1988, MFA 2009). She studied under Grace Hartigan and Joyce Kozloff. Her career includes representation by C. Grimaldis Gallery, residencies at RUC, Vermont Studio Center, VCCA, and Maryland Art Place. Recently, she held a solo exhibition, Lady Lazarus, at Royale Projects in Los Angeles and was featured in Tutto a Tempo at the Camus Museum in Italy. She received a fellowship from the Torrance Art Museum for the Cycladic Arts Residency in Greece and is a co-founder of the DOS Tour.

Chris Blades

Chris Blades is an original Founder of Desert Open Studios, and is now leading the DOS tour along with our advisors and volunteers. Formerly, Chris was a tenured scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore. He worked on the Hubble Space Telescope and led a large scientific team responsible for instrument servicing & calibration. You can reach Chris via his email chris@desertopenstudioscom .

Bill Schinsky

Bill Schinsky was formerly the Executive Director of the Coachella Valley Art Center, Indio, and is now Director of the Coachella Valley Art Projects. He is an active artist working under the pseudonym wm marquez. He has held leadership positions in galleries, museums and arts programs in Los Angeles, Atlanta and North Carolina. You can reach Bill Via his email at bschinsky@gmail.com .

Bernard Leibov

Bernard Leibov is the Founder and Director of BoxoPROJECTS, a residency and programming initiative based in Joshua Tree, CA. He is also co-founder and co-curator of the Joshua Treenial. Prior to moving to California, Bernard was Deputy Director of Judd Foundation in New York and Marfa. You can reach Bernard via his email at BoxoProjects, bernard.leibov@gmail.com .