Artistic expression isn’t meant to be confined by museums, chapels, or coffee table books. It spills into the world, vibrant and boundless, connecting humanity through color, form, and imagination. Public art is a shared experience across time, bridging the legacy of the past with the innovation of the future.
And what better place to witness this ever-evolving artistic landscape than beneath the wide-open skies of Palm Springs?
Whether you're arriving by air, car, or simply wandering downtown, Palm Springs welcomes you with creativity at every turn—sometimes bold and monumental, other times quietly integrated into the landscape. All of it is unforgettable.
👉 Download the Public Art Map and set off on your own curated art tour.
Forever Marilyn
“Forever Marilyn” has become one of Palm Springs' most beloved attractions. The 26-foot sculpture by Seward Johnson was a tourism phenomenon during its initial Palm Springs debut and has returned to a permanent location. Marilyn Monroe has a rich history with Palm Springs, beginning in 1949 when she was discovered at Charlie Farrell’s Racquet Club by William Morris talent agent, Johnny Hyde. She is located in downtown Palm Springs park.
👉Take a Palm Springs Art Walking Tour: Museums, Galleries & Public Art Downtown
Sculptures that Guide and Ground
Just outside the airport on Kirk Douglas Way, a trio of sculptures by Jean-Claude Farhi—Machine Age, Le Camps de Vulcan, and Forget Me Not—marks a seamless transition from transportation hub to cultural haven. These geometric pieces, industrial yet elegant, act as sentinels for your journey deeper into Palm Springs’ creative core.
Pride Monument
- The installation is a lasting tribute to the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the City of Palm Springs and the greater Coachella Valley.
- Serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations.
- It will be a powerful educational tool that helps raise awareness of our LGBTQ+ community's rich history and culture.
- Symbol of unity and Pride for the LGBTQ+ community.
Honoring Legends in Bronze
Palm Springs has long been a retreat for celebrities, and some of its most beloved figures have been immortalized in bronze:
- Emmanuil Snitkovsky’s statue of Mayor Sonny Bono stands proudly in Plaza Mercado downtown, with an additional bust at the airport.
- Snitkovsky also sculpted Lucille Ball, perched on a bench across from the Welwood Murray Memorial Library at Tahquitz and Palm Canyon.
- At the corner of Gene Autry Trail and Ramon Road, De L’Esprie’s equestrian statue, Back in the Saddle Again, honors singing cowboy Gene Autry.
Cultural Roots and Contemporary Reflections
Palm Springs’ cultural story runs deeper than stardom. At two locations along Tahquitz Canyon Way, Doug Hyde’s Agua Caliente Women and A Young Basketmaker sculptures honor the traditions of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, whose ancestral lands continue to shape the city’s identity.
From heritage to high-concept, Julian Voss-Andreae’s towering sculpture Isabelle rises beside the Kimpton Rowan Hotel, shimmering in steel, light, and movement. Depending on the time of day and your vantage point, she transforms—both a beacon of modernity and a muse of transformation..
👉 Colorful Creations: Exploring the Art Benches of Palm Springs
Convention Center Art and Natural Inspiration
Public art also punctuates the grounds of the Palm Springs Convention Center, designed to reflect the surrounding desert landscape. At its entrance, Steve Tyree’s Crouching Cougar blends seamlessly with the terrain, an emblem of strength and stealth.
Whimsy with a Wag
Near the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, Karen and Tony Barone’s delightful duo, Monsieur Pompadour and Mademoiselle Coco, add a touch of pop-art flair with their oversized blue dog and cat. Their electric-blue pup R. Hero stands proudly at Fire Station #3, mirrored by a red version at the Palm Springs Public Library—colorful guardians of our city’s heart.
Abstraction in Motion
Palm Springs also embraces the boldness of abstract sculpture:
- Delos Van Earl’s Jungle Red, a sleek, serpentine sculpture, greets visitors to the Warm Sands neighborhood.
- La Vern Carroll’s Desert Hinge stands at the Highland Gateway, austere yet elegant.
- John Clement infuses energy and form into three colorful works across town:
- Squeeze – at Palm Canyon Theater
- Ithiel – at 777 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
At the northern entrance to Escena Country Club, Steve Rieman’s Wind Wave bends metallic limbs skyward, echoing the motion of desert breezes.
John Mishler’s kinetic Wave Rhythms sculpture resides at Sunrise Park (Sunrise Way and Ramon), a hidden gem that's easy to miss but worth seeking out.
And at the corner of Alejo and Palm Canyon Drive, David Morris’s shimmering water-inspired installation Rainmaker creates a visual oasis in Frances Stevens Park.
From stylized steel and native reverence to playful pets and famous faces, Palm Springs is an open-air museum where creativity never sleeps. It pulses through the city’s parks, sidewalks, and roundabouts—sometimes hidden in plain sight, always ready to surprise.
City of Palm Springs Public Arts Commission
The City of Palm Springs Public Arts Commission plays a vital role in curating, funding, and maintaining these installations, ensuring that creativity remains an integral part of everyday life here. Through partnerships with artists and local organizations, the program continually evolves and grows. #PSPublicArts
