OPEN CALL FOR INDIGENOUS ARTISTS-INTERIOR ART EXHIBITION!
In January of 2024, the Imperial Valley Desert Museum (IVDM) is excited to be hosting a multi-disciplinary art exhibition consisting of Indigenous artists from the Southern California & Northern Baja California Area! As part of this exhibition IVDM is hosting an open call for 20 artists of any medium to showcase their work.
Open Call Deadline: Friday, 11/3/23, Application Decisions: Monday, 11/20/23
OPEN CALL FOR INDIGENOUS ARTISTS-PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS!
Imperial Valley Desert Museum (IVDM) is excited to announce that we have been awarded a Far South/Border North grant! IVDM is looking for 3-4 mural and exterior sculpture artists to create permanent installations that examine key concepts related to social justice issues faced by indigenous communities including land rights, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and decolonization efforts.
Open Call Deadline: Friday, 12/1/23, Application Decisions: Friday, 12/22/23
September Volunteer Day
Have you ever wanted to work at a museum and handle artifacts for yourself? If you said "Yes!", come out to the Imperial Valley Desert Museum on Sunday, September 24. 2023 from 10:00AM-4:00PM for our monthly "Volunteer Day".
Please either call us at (760) 358-7016 or email us atcuration@ivdesertmuseum.org and we will get you signed up. We look forward to working with you!
Stargazing: Supermoon
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT- Friday, September 29, 2023, 7:00PM-10:00PM
Come catch the final supermoon of 2023, the Harvest Moon! Hosted by Michael Rood, we will have an informational talk, telescopes, games, and snacks! Don't forget to bring your own chairs & binoculars!
This event is FREE to all visitors of IVDM, with no reservations required.
IVDM Lowlanders: De Anza Overlook & Yuha Geoglyph
Saturday, October 1, 2023- 8:00AM
Explore ancient trails as we walk in the footsteps of De Anza and the Kumeyaay before him. Dog friendly! Leaves from IVDM parking lot at 8:00AM.
Traditional Craft Day: Pottery Painting
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT- Saturday, October 7, 2023, 10:00AM-4:00PM
Explore the world of paint and pigments as we invite guests to decorate their own pot creations. Whether you made your pot during our last traditional craft day, last summer, last year, or you want to bring your own homemade pot and give it a new look, all pots are welcome!
This event is FREE to all visitors of IVDM, with no reservations required.
Evening With An Expert: Carly Creley- Imperial Geographies
Saturday, October 7, 2023, 6:00pm-9:00PM
Dinner & Drinks (INCLUDED)- ALL AGES WELCOME!
Join us for an evening with artist and environmental scientist Carly Creley, where she will share her current project Imperial Geographies.
Se Va & Se Corre: Loteria Night!
Friday, October 13, 2023 6:00PM-8:30PM
18 & OVER EVENT
Admission: Members- $35, Non Members-$40
Come and enjoy playing rounds of loteria, eating delicious treats, sipping on refreshing drinks, and dressing up as your favorite loteria card! A special thanks to our sponsor: Sun Community Federal Credit Union!
IVDM Member Exchange with SDAC
MEMBERS EVENT- Saturday, October 14, 2023 10:00AM-2:00PM
In collaboration with the San Diego Archaeology Center (SDAC), IVDM presents its first Member Exchange! SDAC Members are invited to go behind the scenes with IVDM Staff to learn about their exhibits, curation and collection spaces encompassing 10 million years of regional and local history!
Following morning tours, SDAC Members are welcome to join IVDM Executive Director Kristin O'Lear and SDAC Executive Director Stephanie Sandoval for wine and hors d'oeurves. Under IVDM's awning overlooking the beautiful Yuha Desert, they will discuss their organizations' mission, current work, and future projects!
The Imperial Valley Desert Museum is a new facility in the heart of the Yuha Desert housing Indigenous and historic artifacts found within the Imperial Valley and surrounding region. Opening a new museum in the twenty-first century, we do not want to be seen as an exhibit within four walls, but to engage and interact outside of the limitations of the "box" – both metaphorically and physically.
OUR MISSION is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the deserts of Southern California through outstanding collections, research, and educational programs.
OUR VISION is to be the foremost research and educational institution devoted to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of the deserts of Southern California.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We, the Imperial Valley Desert Museum, recognize our place on the traditional lands of the Kumeyaay who have been here, as they say, 'since the beginning', with a vibrant and rich history dating back over 10,000 years. The lands of Imperial and San Diego County include the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups composed of Quechan, Cahuilla, CoCoPah, Pai Pai, and Kumeyaay. Each of these groups are still present and active today.
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Ocotillo, CA 92259