February 5, 2025
Desert Meditations by Michael Wheelden at The Gallery
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Desert Meditations Paintings by Michael Wheelden
Curated by Elizabeth Rodriguez
The Gallery at The Palms
- Dates: February 15 – March 30, 2025
- Opening Reception: February 15, 5–7 PM
Cityscapes and landscapes have been Michael Wheelden's constant theme. His interest is so pervasive that he cannot recall a beginning. He knows that wherever he has been, his surroundings have absorbed his attention and curiosity. His images are informed with a sense of place. All the emotional and intellectual responses of life have been filtered through the scrim of his surroundings. Through the manipulation of form and the transformation of color the human environment has become metaphor for the human condition. He finds the appropriate motifs in the usual rather than the unusual, the mundane rather than the extraordinary, the vernacular rather than the literate. He finds "high art" in low places.
Michael Wheelden has resided in San Diego for over 40 years. He received his BA from San Diego State University and his MFA from California State University, Long Beach.
Learn More About Michael Wheelden
Key Facts
- Exhibit: Desert Meditations
- Artist: Michael Wheelden
- Curator: Elizabeth Rodriguez, The House of Borrego Springs - West Gallery
- Dates: February 15 – March 30, 2025
- Location: The Gallery at The Palms, 2220 Hoberg Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
- Opening Reception: February 15, 5–7 PM
- ArtTalk: March 8, 3 PM
- Contact: (760) 443-3300 | houseofborregosprs@sbclocal.net
- Featured Work: The Memory of Rocks #23 (2021), acrylic on canvas on wood
Learn More About Borrego Springs
Featuring Borrego Springs Student Creations
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April 25–27, 2025 | Borrego Springs, CA A three-day, two-night immersion in the magic and mind-altering beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park "Join us in a land of sweeping vistas in the lowest desert of the United States. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park—one of the largest state parks in the country—is the ideal setting for explorers of the written word. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced writer, this immersive retreat invites you to discover your voice in a supportive, creative space." Workshop Includes: “Writing Faster Than You Can Think” – a process developed by Katya Williamson, MFA Facilitated by women who intimately know the desert landscape Energy work and guided support by Suzanne Grant, gifted healer Optional 3-hour Jeep tour of the park (Friday before or Sunday after) – $50 Accommodations: All participants stay at Stanlunds Inn and Suites in Borrego Springs (except commuters). Continental breakfast included. All other meals are no-host. Rates: $775 – Workshop + Single Room $650 – Workshop + Shared Room $375 – Commuter Rate Deposit due by April 11, 2025 Register here Hosted by Celebration of the Circle & Spirit Mountain Retreat Celebrating 25 years of empowering the voices of writing women Founded by Katya Williamson, MFA International Retreat Leader | Writer-in-Residence at Spirit Mountain Retreat Contact Mary Morse, Director, Spirit Mountain Retreat: 951-634-4048
Come party with our DJ and Mixologist (serving up “The Brownie”). Listen to music and get blown away by Andy’s installation of art, music, poetry, and writings. It’s all a trippy, hippie dippy, psychedelic, neat, wild, weird, out-of-site thing!
Celebrate Easter in Borrego Springs Experience the deep meaning of Holy Week at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, the community is invited to participate in meaningful traditions that prepare the heart for Easter. Services include a blend of scripture, sacred music, and ancient rituals like the washing of feet and sunrise communion. Whether you’re visiting Borrego Springs or live nearby, these services are open to all.
Help Jesse Orozco Attend STEM Camp On Saturday, April 12, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, professional haircuts will be offered by donation at Alicia's Desert Spa (The Mall, next to Calico's) 587 Palm Canyon Suite 112, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004. Walk-ins only. Licensed Barber & Cosmetologist Maribel Tellez will be offering Professional Haircuts on a pay-what-you-can basis to support her son Jesse Orozco , a standout student who’s earned a spot at the prestigious National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM program at UC San Diego. This is a community effort focused on care, opportunity, and supporting local youth. Jesse has been working hard—cutting hair for unhoused individuals, selling avocados and candy—to raise money for this life-changing STEM experience.
Join Bingo Nights every Tuesday at The American Legion Post 853 in Borrego Springs!
Discover the enchanting metal sky art sculptures in Borrego Springs. Learn about their history and locations, making your visit unforgettable.
The Gallery at The Palms is showing Dany's new collection of prints April 5 - 25. Opens with a reception on Saturday April 5 at 5-7 pm. Dark Sky International restores the nighttime environment and protects communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy and conservation. The International Dark Sky Places program works with Borrego Springs, Ca. to certify and protect and keep our town dark for humans and wildlife alike. Dany Tomas' Sheltering Dark Sky photographs are spectacular dark sky images that capture the sacred and timeless magic of our desert night sky. His creativity documents the paramount importance of protecting nature from nighttime light pollution while engaging with the nocturnal world as a unique visionary. Curator Elizabeth Rodriguez has carefully selected photographs that conjoin dark sky with true nocturnal beauty. The Gallery is located at The Palms at Indian Head , 2220 Hoberg Road, Borrego Springs, Ca. 92004. Info: 760.443.3300 houseofborregosprs@sbcglobal.net
Every spring, the calendar of the Christian churches comes round to the Forty Days of Lent, a time of self examination and reflection, very much like the season of Ramadan in Islam. These weeks culminate in Holy Weeks, the time from Palm Sunday, this year April 13, till Easter Sunday, April 20. Easter, coming from an Old English word for spring, is the celebration of Jesus being raised from death. But the Resurrection is preceded by several other special days. Called Maundy Thursday from the Latin mandatum or commandment, Thursday in Holy Week commemorates the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. At this meal he gave them bread and wine to share, this becoming the central sacrament of the church, holy communion or the Eucharist. Thursday also recalls Jesus' washing the feet of his friends as an act of love, a commandment he urged them to continue--their love for each other and all the world. Good Friday seems wrongly named for it is the day of Jesus' death on the cross. Yet this self giving is for Christians the ultimate sign of God's love for all humankind and the world. On the next day, Holy Saturday, towards evening, a vigil service of readings, the proclamation of the resurrection and holy communion begin the Easter celebration. Finally on Easter Sunday services of song, prayer, readings and communion feast the rising of the Lord from death, a promise to all of new life with God and each other forever.
