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About the Art Guild
Our History
29 Palms Art Gallery during April 1988 renovation. - photo by Derald Martin
The home of western author Tom Hopkins, and presently the home of 29 Palms Art Gallery. - photo provided by Twentynine Palms Historical Society
The 1960s saw many artists and art students inspired by the 29 Palms Art Guild, including part-time resident and actor James Cagney (above left) sketching John Hilton while the artist was painting a desert landscape.
29 Palms Art Gallery during April 1988 renovation. - photo by Derald Martin
Serving artists and the community for over 70 years.
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The Twentynine Palms Art Gallery is a landmark in the City of Twentynine Palms. It is owned and operated by the Twentynine Palms Artists’ Guild, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization founded in 1951-52 by eight distinguished artists: John Hilton, Merritt Boyer, Evelyn Hutchinson, Michael Malloy, Kirk Martin, Vera Martin, Edna Onderdonk, and Fritiof Perssons. We are the oldest arts organization in the Morongo Basin and located at the Oasis of Mara, near the Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters, and next to the historic Twentynine Palms Inn. ​
From 1956 to 1963, the Guild leased the nearby Charlton Adobe for an art gallery. Irene Zimmers Charlton was a longtime artist with the Guild. After being sold to 29 Palms Inn, this adobe became known as Irene’s Adobe. In 1963, the Guild leased the current historic adobe, and then purchased it from Edward and Margaret Schiller for a community art gallery. The adobe building was originally built in 1936 by the Stubbs brothers as a desert home for Western pulp fiction author, Tom Hopkins. Mixture for the original adobe bricks was brought from Mesquite Dry Lake, fill dirt was made up of gold tailings from the Gold Crown Mine, and plaster for the exterior walls came from the Anaconda Mine. Some of the support beams were railroad ties used during construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913. The spikes in these ties can still be seen in the lintels over the doors and windows. An extensive remodeling project began in July of 1963 when the original adobe plaster was stripped off. The bricks were then replastered with stucco for greater protection of the original adobe bricks. The first art show opened in the building in October 1963. The Guild obtained its 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1963, and then by 1967 had paid off the mortgage, the ashes of which were placed in a gold casket mounted in the fireplace mantel of what is now the East Gallery room. The Artists‘ Guild converted the old garage into a Gift Shop, which has financially supported the Gallery. In 1972 the Lee Lukes Pickering room was added, and in 1992 the West Gallery was built…all from generous community support. Today, the Gallery features monthly art exhibitions, adult and youth art education, juried exhibitions, artist receptions, two annual art fairs, and fund-raising events. Each November, the Gallery hosts the Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo, organized by the Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts. Our Gift Shop offers gift items from local artists. When visiting Joshua Tree National Park, stop in to see the current exhibition of featured artists and artist guild members.