Funding for installation of ‘Well of Love’ AIDS Memorial in Downtown Park approved

The Palm Springs City Council has approved funding for the installation portion of an AIDS memorial called “Well of Love” to be placed in Downtown Park. In doing so, the council voted to increase the city’s contribution from $65,000 to $125,000.

Designed by artist Philip K. Smith III, the $1.2 million memorial features three glass faces with rippling water effects and benches for reflection. It will be located in the geographical center of the downtown park.

“The new Palm Springs AIDS Memorial is a well of love in the desert,” Smith told the council Tuesday evening. “It is a gathering place for love in much the same way that Palm Springs was a gathering place for those with HIV/AIDS early in the pandemic.”

The memorial shares three messages: “Forever Remembered,” “Forever Loved,” and “Forever Celebrated.” Each vertical face holds an oval pool of tears unique to its message.

An initial proposed design for the project faced opposition. But a later proposal gained community support through a redesign process that included five listening sessions and a town hall.

“What came out of the listening sessions, as well as the town hall, is a desire from the community for this to be an actual space,” Smith said. “Before it was a sculpture, it was the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial sculpture. It is now solely the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial.”

Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein praised the collaborative effort that led to the final design.

“I know this was a difficult process,” Bernstein said. “I think having an AIDS memorial now is probably more important than ever. We have so many of us who have lived through it, and as we start to age, we might not always remember what happened in the history.”

The memorial will be constructed of 1½-inch thick cast glass with a mirrored surface laminated to the backside. This reflective nature allows visitors to see themselves and their surroundings within the memorial.

Two precast benches will define the space, addressing community requests for seating. Bronze lettering cast into precast concrete bases will display the three key messages.

The project also includes an online component with QR codes on bronze plaques, allowing visitors to access shared stories and audio recordings related to the AIDS crisis in Palm Springs.

Smith noted that existing mesquite trees behind the benches will continue to grow, creating a canopy around the memorial. The faces of the memorial will tilt outward at a 7-degree angle, giving the impression of embracing visitors.

“To be here tonight and to see the healing start to take place is something that makes me incredibly proud of all of you and of our city and the mayor for his work in making sure we got to this date,” Councilmember Lisa Middleton said.

The AIDS Memorial is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with hopes of unveiling it on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1.

Fundraising efforts are ongoing to cover the full $1.2 million cost. For information on supporting the project, turn here.

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