Twentynine Palms artists Chuck and Holgie Caplinger to be honored at mural re-dedication on Wednesday
Known as the “Oasis of Murals,” the city of Twentynine Palms will honor two local artists, Chuck and Holgie Caplinger, as their vandalized mural is officially restored on Wednesday, March 25, at noon. The “lizard mural” was originally created roughly 2007-2008 as a pairing with a roadrunner mural on the buildings’ west-facing wall.
Co-hosted by Action 29 Palms and the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC), the event will take place at the east wall of the Edward Jones / BDS Tactical Gear building located at 72255 29 Palms Hwy. Raphael Di Febo, owner of the building, will be on hand to have PAAC Chair Emeritus Chuck Caplinger re-sign the Dipsosaurus dorsalis mural which was tagged with graffiti on the morning of January 1, 2024. Vandals hit seven buildings that day and the tagging marked the first time any of the city’s murals had been defaced.
Volunteers ultimately restored the mural to its original state save for one final touch – the signature of the artist Chuck Caplinger. Caplinger’s wife and top assistant will also attend as she is the supportive force behind the mural magic.
“With all his murals, people forget that somebody has to drive the truck there. Somebody has to load all that stuff up, somebody has to unload that stuff up so he can paint, somebody has to provide enough water so he can always wash out his brushes, somebody has to wash the brushes out afterwards, somebody has to go get him lunch and a snack every now and then a nice place to sit down in the shade. So there’s all that sort of supportive stuff that is really necessary that people don’t really talk about but this way all he has to do is show up, pick up the paint brush and start painting,” said Holgie Caplinger.
“Well, and it’s the only time I can tell her what to do,” said Caplinger.
Mayor Daniel Mintz will also present a plaque honoring the steel sculpture “29!” designed by Caplinger. The sculpture was dedicated in May of 2009 and restored in 2025 by the PAAC through a grant provided by the Tourism Board Improvement District (TBID). The sculpture, which famously greets all who enter the city, is located on Donnell Hill, on the south side of Highway 62 at Bullion Ave.
Other program speakers include PAAC Chair Paul Razo, Raphael Di Febo, Former PAAC Chair Anna Stump, TBID Board Member Liz Shickler, artists Chuck and Holgie Caplinger and Action 29 Palms Chairperson LeeAnn Clarke.
The mobile “29!” will be on site and light refreshments will be provided by Rob Fleck, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. Attendees can park by the west wall (roadrunner mural) or behind the building.
Asked about the current state of the arts in the Morongo Basin, Caplinger gave a glowing review.
“I’m real excited. You know at my age, 87, I haven’t taken a lead in five, six or seven years but so many young and talented people are moving into the Basin. The arts renaissance that I talked about originally when Holgie and I came here, is happening all over again. I’m just really proud of the community the way they’re handling it,” said Caplinger.
For more information, call 760-367-3840 or email action29palms@gmail.com
