Yucca Valley seeking larger public art for highly-visible two year installation

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email May 11, 2026

The Town of Yucca Valley wants to show off the work of a local artist for longer, and have extended the duration of a highly visible public arts program. The Town invites artists to submit artwork for a new temporary public art installation at the prominent southwest corner of Twentynine Palms Highway and Old Woman Springs Road, right in front of the Yucca Valley Branch Library property. 

Previous calls for art at this space have had a shorter display period, just shy of a year. Work from local artists Gubby Beck and Chad La Fever was on display for approximately one year each, but the next piece chosen will be on display for nearly three years. In recognition of this longer term, the selected artist or artist team will receive a $4,500 stipend for the temporary installation of the artwork.

Clayton Rardon, from the Yucca Valley’s Parks and Recreation Department, explained the change at a recent Town Council meeting.

“We’ve got $4500 for the Yucca Valley Branch Library art installation, which is a little change over previous years. We’ve had some smaller installations that don’t have as much volume. These works have been from interesting artists, but the comments from this Council have been (that) they wanted something that was larger, more visible, more volume, and more mass for such a high profile location in town. Our recommendation for this one specifically is that we take the money that we were spending each year on this project and we roll it into a two-year program. The longer duration justifies bringing something in that’s larger.” 

The Town is seeking a striking, imaginative, large and high-visibility submission that will remain on display for an extended three-year period, from 2026 through 2028. Submissions should be original, weather-resistant and suitable for viewing by all ages. Because of the location’s scale and prominence, artists are encouraged to consider how their work will be experienced not only up close but also from a distance by traffic as well as visitors to nearby businesses. 

Submissions must be received by Monday, June 29. Complete submission guidelines and the application are available at yucca-valley.org/publicart. Questions regarding the Call for Artists may be directed to publicart@yucca-valley.org.

Previously reported:

Yucca Valley Town Council approves 2026 – 2028 Public Art Program and budget

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email May 11, 2026
Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut, Popula, Roadtrippers, Solrad and Spiralbound, and for his album covers for Third Eye Blind and Sir Sly. He is known locally for his pop-up barbecue restaurant Hot Dog Panic. He remains unknown in the field of beekeeping, because he is too afraid of being stung to try it. When not on the radio, he draws comics and self-publishes little books. He lives with his partner and his dog Sunday in Yucca Valley, where he cooks them both elaborate meals.