Inspired by the mission of OTAS, this series fuses musical performance with conversation, education, and storytelling. be swept up by the beautiful surroundings, engaging community, and world-renowned talent.

SEASON LINEUP

10/10 - Lauri Bono

11/14 - Deanna Bogart

12/12 - Desert Winds Jazz

01/09 - Tommy Rox

02/13 - Lisa Morgan

03/13 - Ken O'Malley

04/10 - Fred Benedetti

Calling all musicians, poets, comedians, songwriters, storytellers, and artists alike! Old Town Artisan Studios is hosting a monthly Open Mic Night with stage, PA, and host every third Monday from 6-8pm. Enjoy a featured food truck from the local community!

FOOD TRUCK LINEUP

10/21 - 760 Teppanyaki

11/18 - The Big Easy Sandwich

12/16 - Nick's Pizza

01/20 - Experimental Concepts

02/24 - Cooking Thai by Benz

03/17 - Outside the Masa

04/21 - Dad's Burgers

Our annual family holiday event is right around the corner! Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, while enjoying gingerbread cookies, performances, ornament painting, and more!

EVENT DATES

11/30, 12/07, 12/14, 12/21

*Volunteer Opportunities

Coming Soon!

Now Seeking Holiday Entertainment!

Inquire at angel@oldtownartisanstudios.org.

Fall Classes are still available! Please review Studio Policies here.

If your desired class is full, please join the waitlist here. Cancellations do happen, and we would love to offer you any seat that becomes available!

See full list of classes here.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO REGISTER

Unleash your creativity with our wide selection of art workshops at Old Town Artisan Studios. We now offer more workshops than ever, covering a diverse range of mediums. Whether you're an experienced artist or a complete beginner, there's a workshop for you.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO REGISTER

Old Town Artisan Studios is dedicated to providing individuals of all backgrounds and abilities with the opportunity to experience art and self-expression. Through the support of donors, volunteers, students, gallery artists, and friends, we bring art to those who need it most and address the ongoing need for art education across the Coachella Valley. Our Mobile Mission, supported by generous donations, grants, and partnerships, allows us to deliver instructor-led art programs at little to no cost through our fully equipped Mobile Art Vans. These vans travel to communities such as Mecca, all the way to Desert Hot Springs, ensuring that art experiences reach every corner of our community, both on campus and beyond.

RECURRING OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Below is a list of our current outreach partners for whom we provide ongoing art classes.

ART EXPERIENCES

We are proud to share the results of our combined efforts to bring art experiences

throughout the Coachella Valley.

Total Experiences: 2023

25,721

YTD Experiences: 2024

14,804



Meet Tess L. Cranford, a vibrant and passionate artist who has been deeply connected to Old Town Artisan Studios (OTAS) from a young age. Raised in La Quinta, California, Tess recently graduated from College of the Desert (COD) with two associate degrees in Studio Arts and Humanities. Painting is her primary passion, allowing her to express emotions on canvas and connect with others through her work.

"While being an artist can sometimes be lonely during the creating process, the unity and vibrancy of the artist community that I experience at every show is so fulfilling and exciting. I have done several community shows with OTAS, La Quinta History Museum and other art centers and every time I learn something from my fellow artists because they take the time to encourage and invest in me - their acceptance is humbling.”

Tess believes in the transformative power of art and states, “Sharing art with others, especially children, is vital. Today’s society is heavily influenced by media but art gives the mind time to reflect and dream. Art with children inspires questions and creativity. It gives them a sense of freedom and a way to express themselves that no social platform can provide.” She is dedicated to fostering creativity in the children she teaches, helping them explore their own artistic voices. She went on to say, “Looking to the future, I would like to strengthen my teaching skills, develop my identity as an artist and create and show more of my paintings. My big dream is to start my own bed and breakfast where I can design an environment that incorporates my love of art, cooking and hospitality.”

We welcome Tess to the Old Town Artisan Studios team and are excited to see her continue to grow with us!

The Leland Gallery at Old Town Artisan Studios presents numerous art shows throughout the year, featuring OTAS students, instructors, and local artists! Proceeds from gallery purchases help to support the OTAS outreach arts program, providing positive art experiences to underserved groups throughout the Coachella Valley.

DUO Fall Art Show & Fundraiser

2021 Miniature Masterpiece artists (Left to Right): Rebecca McEwan, Sylvia Smith, Teresa Gleason, & Susan Ragsdale 

The exhibition, DUO, will be presented in Leland Gallery at Old Town Artisan Studios from November 6 to December 16, 2024. A variety of paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, and mixed media works will be on display and up for raffle to raise funds for our mission. Visitors have the opportunity to win their favorite artworks by purchasing raffle tickets in person ($5 each, $30 for seven, $75 for 21, $100 for 40). Raffle ticket sales will close on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 8:00pm.

Winners will be announced Tuesday, December 17, 2024. 

Old Town Artisan Studios is looking for artists to donate an original work of art in the medium of their choosing, only using varying tints, shades, and tones of the complimentary color combination: RED & GREEN.

These masterpieces will be displayed in our Leland Gallery and raffled off to benefit our extensive mobile Outreach Program. Artists that donate work receive:

Listing on our website for one year

Placement in the Leland Gallery for one month

Invitations to our evening Opening Reception 

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2024. 

Be sure to tag us in your pottery painting creations!

@oldtownartisanstudios

Stop by our retail shop and browse everything from hand-made jewelry, scarves, and pottery to wine holders, stationary, glass art, and more! All pieces for sale have been handmade by some of our artists and class instructors. Proceeds from retail shop purchases go to support Old Town Artisan Studios.

WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS! WANT TO HELP? 

Volunteering with Old Town Artisan Studios means you get to help make art accessible for all people throughout the Coachella Valley! We need your help in a variety of capacities such as community events, outreach classes, fundraisers, Art2Go kits, classroom aides, and more! You do not have to be an artist!

We are looking for people-loving, art-appreciating folks that want to help make an impact (yes, you!)

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

STEP 1: Fill out a volunteer application HERE if you haven't done so already.

STEP 2: Sign up for any of the opportunities on our VOLUNTEER PAGE and check back for future ones that are continuously being added. Emails are sent monthly with new opportunities. (FALL OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE POSTED SOON!)

STEP 3: Attend our next Volunteer Orientation and Campus Tour. Existing and prospective volunteers are welcome!

Tuesday, September 24th from 10:00 - 11:00am

Old Town Artisan Studios is committed to providing positive art experiences for all people despite age, ability or financial condition. We believe art is healing. Art has an everlasting and positive impact on each of us and the world around us.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides an inviting place for people of all ages to reveal their creativity through clay, fused glass, painting, drawing and other forms of art. We offer private instruction; classes for children, adults and seniors; and independent studio use as well as fee-exempt instruction for numerous charities serving underserved individuals in our valley. Through charitable donations from the cities of the Coachella Valley, various foundations, corporations and our incredibly generous donors, we continue to fulfill our vision –

Shaping Hearts & Minds through Art.

For $150, you can sponsor a child's 4-week course here at

Old Town Artisan Studios. Funding will be awarded to children who meet eligibility requirements specified by OTAS.

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HOURS

Monday - Saturday

10:00am - 5:00pm