Art In focus -

by Sandra Hale Schulman - American Free Journal & Desert Star

July 16, 2009

Artists Hit the Highlands

Unique Program Brings International Talent

Joshua Tree- Ca

The Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency hosted an informal gathering at the home of the sponsors last Saturday for the community to meet this years chosen artists. The program offers artists a house in wich to live and work for July an August to create a body of work. The program culmineteswith a group show in September.

Frederick Fulmer and James Berg, the generous owners of the homes, wich are rented out as a private desert vacation getaways the rest of the year, solely fund the residency program. Each of the Highland homes has five acres and are located right up against Joshua Tree National Park.

"We love art and want to share thos spectacular area with creative young artists from all over the world" says Berg.

The park is one of the most beautiful environments in the country and the unique beaty and quiet is an ideal place to create. the residency is open to artists worldwide working in all media.

Three of the six 2009 artists were introduced at the event; two painters and a writer.

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Renata De Bonis from Sao Paulo, Brazil creates sweetly muted palette paintings, usually of landscapes and places that "I connect with ans resonate with me" she says.

De Bonis has already completed some lovely, stark works of rock formations reminiscent of Georgia O'Keefe.

The other participants are Cuca Esteves, Fernando Sanchez, Eric Merrell, Edward Bok Lee and Marcia Freedman.