Palm Springs Arts Commission receives updates on memorial, Pride monument installations

The Palm Springs Public Arts Commission received updates on several art installations during a Thursday evening meeting, including progress on an AIDS Memorial and new shade structures throughout the city.

Housing and Community Development Director Jay Virata told commissioners that artist Phillip K. Smith III is considering changing the materials for the Palm Springs AIDS Memorial to reduce the weight of the sculpture. The memorial, which will be installed in Downtown Park, features three vertical mirror-like ovals with ripples in Smith’s revised design released last fall after his original concept faced community criticism.

The AIDS memorial represents Smith’s second design for the project after community members expressed concerns that his initial proposal was disrespectful to those commemorated by the memorial. The Commission may ask Smith to present his proposed material changes at a future meeting.

Work on the Pride monument at Frances Stevens Park is progressing as planned. A concrete stand has been installed at the park and the installation honoring the city’s LGBTQ+ history, designed by artist Jim Isermann, is expected to be in place by the end of October, ahead of Palm Springs Pride in November.

The city has also executed contracts for two shade structure projects under the “Beautiful Shade” initiative. One installation, called “Desert Bloom,” draws inspiration from the iconic “Poolside Gossip” photograph, while the second features a dragonfly-inspired shade bench.

City officials are currently working to secure a contractor to install the foundations for both shade structure projects.

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