Wonder Valley Homestead Cabin Festival

Artists of all sorts from nearly every continent have found their way to the California desert. Some of the cabins belonged to people working in the up and coming movie and television industry as a get away. Other homesteads were just that and were home to "desert rats," a colloquial term for the disheveled. Even today some of the shacks look as though someone left in a hurry, leaving behind traces of the 1950's. Despite the lack of fences property is property and we ask that you leave it as you found it. Throughout the US you will find communities of shacks that represent the dreams of its inhabitants. And even today you can find "free" property in the shadows of progress, destined to stay a place of solitude.

Local artist Chris Carraher's dream of an arts festival that focused on the history and legacy of the Homestead Act of 1938 that spawned the cabins that dot the desert landscape came to reality in a big way. Wonder Valley Arts presented the Wonder Valley Homestead Cabin Festival in February and March 2008. The goal was to discover the history, celebrate the culture and strengthen the community of Wonder Valley through the arts.

The Wonder Valley Homestead Cabin Festival was organized by the Homestead Cabinet (Andy Woods along with festival featured artists Chris Carraher and Scott Monteith.) It included happenings at the Fi-Lox-See Gallery and the Palms Restaurant in Wonder Valley. In association with the festival artists Diane Best and Mary Austin-Klein created a show that was presented at Trader Jeff's in Twentynine Palms called the Shack Appreciation Show 'SAS'. Wonder Valley artist Helena Bongarts' ongoing weekly cabin light show was also featured in the events for the festival. To view the official blog of the festival that includes history, event photos, happenings, all the participating artists(there's a bunch!) and presenters visit http://homesteadcabin.wordpress.com/

The Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, Inc was a sponsor of the festival.

- Scott Monteith

Wonder Valley Homestead Cabin Festival Postcard (front & back)

- Andy Woods and Scott Monteith

Wonder Valley Homestead Cabin Festival Poster

- Andy Woods and Scott Monteith

Wonder Valley homesteads at 29 Palms Inn

                                                ℗2006 Scott Monteith, Past Present, Watercolor, 24" x 24"

Scott Monteith's new collection of Wonder Valley homesteads are now showing at the 29 Palms Inn. See the show or visit www.scottmonteith.com

Sunset Jamie

                                                             Jamie Hafler (Hafler Duo)

Half of the Hafler Duo, Jamie, on the rooftop deck at Fi-Lox-See in Wonder Valley (home of Andy Woods and Scott Monteith). Marking a spring celebration for the Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council in its largest gathering to date. The new BOD has expanded its membership to include all arts and creative artists of all levels of skill and their patrons. Help support the arts by joining us at our next event. Everyone is welcome!

MBCAC SPRING GATHERING Saturday, May 12

MBCAC's Spring Gathering at Fi-Lox-See. When we were asked to host this event we thought it would be great to share with you some of the artists and musicians of Wonder Valley. We are excited to have THE SIBLEYS rockin' the rooftop stage on Saturday. THE HAFLER DUO will open the show and play songs from their debut album HduO and introduce several performers from Jeff Hafler's Open Mic Night at The Palms Restaurant; including Bryan Goodlander, Brandon  Brohamer, Elise Sky, Caleb Winn, Gary Sanner & more. We encourage you to bring your own instrument for an improv jam session into the sunset.

Fi-Lox-See's art gallery will feature several local artists including Chris Carraher, Perry Hoffman, Jane Maru, Lori Greene, Mikal Winn, David Greene, Scott Monteith & Andy Woods.

Of course, there are many more great artists and musicians in and around Wonder Valley. We hope you will enjoy the sampling that we have put together.

Come join us for an evening of music & art Saturday, May 12. Starting at 4 pm

The Spring Gathering is for members and those interested in learning more about Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council, Inc. Bringing together the visual and performing arts of the Morongo Basin.

- Andy Woods (graphics provided by Perry Hoffman)

11th Ever Wonder Valley Music Festival

Exit 29 Palms east beyond the "NO SERVICE NEXT 100 MILES" sign and take the only black top road to the north, Godwin (left hand side past the airport). Take a right on Amboy and mind the signs; soft shoulder here means quick sand so keep all your tires on the pavement. Tell them Large Marge sent you!