The Indio City Council earlier this month selected Palm Desert-based artist John Cuevas for the Indio Center Stage mural project.
“It pays homage to our wildlife, and honestly, a lot of these animals that you see here in some of those plants are disappearing very quickly,” Councilmember Oscar Ortiz said of the proposal. “And getting people a little more informed on what is actually out in our desert, I think builds a strong connection for us.”
The proposal highlights the native flora and fauna of the desert, including California fan palms, Chuckwalla lizards, butterflies, the desert tortoise, coyotes and roadrunners.
“One thing that he highlights here is it looks as if the desert has never been developed,” Miguel Ramirez-Cornejo, economic development director, said at the March 19 meeting. “And if you just imagine what the desert would be if the Coachella Valley never developed, it kind of gives you that view.”
Ramirez-Cornejo said it was staff’s recommendation to go with Cuevas’ proposal not only because it highlighted the natural desert landscape, but because it also provided a place for people to interact with the work by taking selfies with the butterfly wings on one of the walls.
Stay up to date with the latest from The Record. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter today!
Ramirez-Cornejo said the natural look of the mural also wouldn’t compete with what was happening on stage.
“We want the focus to be the stage [and] the performers there,” he said.
The council also liked the proposal from Palm Desert-based artist Autumn Martino which incorporated a portrait of Indio native Abi Carter who won American Idol in 2024.
“This is Center Stage. This is performing. Let’s get some performers up there. Let’s do some pop culture,” Councilmember Waymond Fermon said. “I like the first one as well with the desert, but I think at the Center Stage, I think we need to do some pop culture.”
The other two proposals considered by the council were submitted by Adam Rodriguez of Desert Hot Springs and Joe Dietl of Palm Springs. Proposals for Martino and Rodriguez came in at $50,000, while Dietl’s proposal came in at $44,800.
The motion to move forward with Cuevas’ proposal passed unanimously with a 4-0 vote. Mayor Pro Tem Elaine Holmes recused herself from the discussion and vote since she owns property within 1,000 feet of Center Stage.
The Riverside Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet providing Riverside County with high-quality journalism free of charge. We’re able to do this because of the generous donations of supporters like you!