As Desert X 2025 comes to a close, art lovers are invited to gather one last time for a weekend of inspiring conversations, films, and celebrations across the Coachella Valley. From May 9 to 11, Desert X is hosting a series of engaging closing programs that offer visitors the opportunity to reflect on this year’s thought-provoking installations and connect with the artists and students who made this edition unforgettable.
A Creative Send-Off for Desert X 2025
The final weekend kicks off early with the Desert X Art Club Student Exhibition Reception on Thursday, May 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Melissa Morgan Fine Art in Palm Desert. In collaboration with Desert Sands Unified School District, this special reception celebrates the creative achievements of student artists who participated in Desert X’s educational programming during the 2024–2025 school year. Expect a vibrant and youthful showcase of emerging talent, honoring the next generation of Coachella Valley creatives.
Artist Conversations & Film Screenings at the Palm Springs Art Museum
On Saturday, May 10, the closing celebration continues at the Annenberg Theater at Palm Springs Art Museum, where attendees will be treated to a powerful lineup of artist talks and screenings.
The day begins at 11:00 AM with an intimate conversation between artist Ronald Rael and Desert X co-curators Kaitlin Garcia-Maestas and Neville Wakefield. Together, they’ll explore the themes, challenges, and inspirations behind Rael’s contribution to Desert X 2025, offering insights into how site-specific art can reshape our relationship with land, history, and community.
Immediately following, at 12:00 PM, is a screening of G.H.O.S.T. Ride, a short film by acclaimed artist Cannupa Hanska Luger. As part of his immersive Desert X project, the film chronicles a futuristic family navigating the desert in a caravan built from industrial detritus, equipped with Indigenous-inspired survival technologies. A stunning fusion of art, activism, and speculative storytelling, G.H.O.S.T. Ride presents a visionary path forward in harmony with nature.
At 12:30 PM, the spotlight returns to local youth with a screening of Desert X Art Club Student Films. These short videos, produced through the organization’s digital storytelling programs, reflect the voices and visions of students across the Coachella Valley. It’s a touching reminder of the power of art education and creative empowerment in shaping the region’s cultural future.
Whether you’ve followed Desert X 2025 from opening day or are just discovering its bold, immersive works, this final weekend is your chance to revisit the installations, connect with artists, and celebrate a season of boundary-pushing desert art. Don’t miss this last opportunity to witness the stories and conversations that defined this year’s Desert X.
RSVP for each of the programs
DesertX.org
Photos by Lance Gerber, courtesy of Desert X