Joshua Tree Art Museum
Joshua Tree Art Museum Moves Forward with Vision...
Our Foundation is Children's Arts Education and the preservation of Artist's Work.
Co-Founders, New York Contemporary Artist Shane Townley and Yeslin Carolina Cabrera Santos Townley, Honduran Curator.
Joshua Tree, CA – March 2025 – The Joshua Tree Art Museum (JTAM), an exciting new cultural institution for those artists without a voice, is taking shape in Joshua Tree, CA - the High Desert to counteract the current administration, bringing contemporary art to the forefront of the region’s creative landscape. Founded by renowned artist and gallery pioneer Shane Townley, and Yeslin Carolina Santos Cabrera Townley, a visionary immigrant from Honduras, with a profound mission: to serve an underserved area through transformative community engagement.
With a passion for the arts and a deep commitment to cultural accessibility, they are working to create a space that uplifts artists, fosters creativity, and enriches the local community. The museum has secured its board of directors, finalized its land purchase near Copper Mountain College, and is actively fundraising.
Joshua Tree is home to many artists from around the world. New York galleries often find their artists in the High-Desert California Community.
Shane and Yeslin, longtime champions of contemporary art, have played a pivotal role in shaping art communities from New York’s Tribeca district to Laguna Beach, and now, Joshua Tree. With JTAM, they aim to create a landmark destination for artists, collectors, curators and enthusiasts while fostering local talent and arts education.
From New York to Joshua Tree: A Legacy of Art Innovation
Before their move to California, the Townley’s were key figures in New York’s contemporary art scene, where they founded the New York Art Center NewYorkART.com at 7 Franklin Place and 377 Broadway (between Franklin and White), a groundbreaking 15,000 sq. ft. space on Broadway. The center housed six galleries, an art fair, and the Townley Café, becoming a hub for emerging and established artists until March 2020.
Following the pandemic’s impact on New York’s galleries, the Townley’s relocated to California, where they rebuilt their artistic vision through LagunaART.com, a thriving contemporary art center in Laguna Beach. This gallery represents over 400 artists and offers dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, and artist workshops, solidifying its place in Orange County’s cultural fabric. Making it the largest art center in Orange County.
The Vision for the Joshua Tree Art Museum
Building on his experience in New York and Laguna Beach, the Townley’s are now spearheading the Joshua Tree Art Museum, which will be situated on 2.5 acres of land and will feature:
- A Contemporary Exhibition Space inside of a Massive Dome showcasing local, national, and international artists.
- Artist in Residencies providing immersive creative retreats.
- Outdoor Sculpture Exhibitions blending seamlessly with the desert landscape.
- Youth Educational Programs, continuing their commitment to arts education across from Copper Mountain College.
- Current; The ARM (Art, Reach, Motivate) Community Outreach Program, housed inside Art Queen (owned by Aha Projects 501c3) in downtown Joshua Tree, which currently exhibits the work of artists Steven Riemans and an exclusive Keith Haring chalk drawing, part of the legendary series, originally crafted in the 1980s on New York subway advertising panels. 31 of Haring’s subway drawings recently sold for a total of $9.2 million
Join the Movement: How to Get Involved:
With its board of directors in place and its fundraising efforts underway, the Joshua Tree Art Museum invites artists, patrons, and community members to help shape this transformative project. Opportunities for volunteers, sponsorships, artist residencies, and donations are now available.
For more information, visit joshuatreeartmuseum.org
or email
info@joshuatreeartmuseum.org
Press Articles:
Our Foundation is Children's Arts Education and the preservation of Artist's Work.
