In The News
Contact Ellen Paris
Kiner Communications
Phone 760-413-0471
Email ellenp@kinercom.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Indio, CA – November 29, 2011) The Indio Chamber of Commerce unveiled the 26th Annual 2012 Southwest Arts Festival Poster of the Anderson Date Farm at the Chamber offices on November 29th. The owners of the historic Anderson Date Farm were on hand to provide the history on this beautiful east Valley landmark. The 2012 Poster Artist, award winning American Impressionist, Robert Ferguson, unveiled his work and signed 400 posters which are on sale for $35 at the Chamber offices and at the Festival. His winning work is an oil on canvas Plein Air painting of the Anderson Date Farm.
“It perfectly captures his sense for serenity and tranquility in Southern California. To have a poster that showcases a picturesque long-time area landmark is perfect as the Festival celebrates its 26 th year in Indio,” notes Joyce Donaldson, Indio Chamber of Commerce President/CEO.
The posters have a history with collectors dating back to 1987,” explains Donaldson. This is the second time Ferguson’s work has been selected for the Annual Southwest Arts Festival Poster. He was also the 2006 Southwest Arts Festival Poster Artist. Ferguson’s interest in oil painting led him from the Parson’s School in New York and a career as a commercial artist to Southern California. Living and painting In Southern California allows him to pursue the true colors of undisturbed serenity, tranquility and the sense for pure living which is reflected in all his work. Ferguson’s personal style has evolved through influences from Goya to Monet and Renoir. Today his favorite artist is American impressionist, William Merritt Chase.
Ferguson’s clients include: Mission Inn Owners, Duane and Kelly Roberts, ARCH Partnership Medical Center, Continuing Life Communities, San Bernardino Medical Center, Del Mar Partnership, Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, the CEO of Mimi's Cafes, Chris Collins of the Valencia Spa, the Ralph’s Family, Estancia Resort La Jolla, Fedderly Interior Design, the Ecke Family of the Carlsbad Flower Fields, Rancho Santa Fe Farms Golf Resort, Santa Luz Golf Club, the La Quinta Arts Foundation Members and the La Quinta Library. His commissioned paintings hang in a number of private collections around the country. In addition to painting, Ferguson is a skilled sculptor .
The 2012 Southwest Arts Festival is taking place January 27, 28 and 29, 2012. Celebrating its 26th Anniversary, the Festival will once again be held at the beautiful Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. This year over 250 acclaimed artists will show traditional, contemporary and abstract fine works of art including: clay, drawing, glass, jewelry, metal works, painting, photography, sculpture and textile. The Festival is a major internationally recognized cultural event. The Festival’s reputation for first-class quality and professional integrity make it one of the finest throughout the country.
As the Indio Chamber’s largest annual fundraiser, the chamber is exceptionally fortunate to have several hundred community leaders and volunteers contributing numerous hours to make certain that the Festival is successful.
Southwest Arts Festival®
Indio Chamber of Commerce, 82921 Indio Blvd., Indio, CA 92201 Phone: 760-347-0676 Fax: 760-347-6069
Email: swaf@indiochamber.org Websites: www.southwestartsfest.com and www.indiochamber.org
