I hope you are all keeping healthy, balanced, and enjoying the desert winter; we know how special this time is here.

First of all, I would like to introduce myself: my name is Patricia Vernhes, and as of November, I have taken on the role of Programming and Development Director at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center.

We have a lot of newness ahead of us. The first big one is, of course, the continued post-Covid rebuilding of programming at the Cultural Center, a hub founded over a half-century ago by a group of retired actors, directors, and producers—the pioneers who decided to move here, just like some of us, way back when.

We are building an arts enrichment program for our children, a serious dance conservatory, a language arts program, and a career training series for youth, so our children and young adults can not only appreciate how unique their environment is, but also learn from it to become the leaders, creatives, and simply the best humans the world so desperately needs.

Starting in January, we will be filling our 10,000 sq. ft. gallery with regular art shows. We plan to host opening receptions every other month on the first Saturday at 6:30 PM, so mark your calendars!

This center is for all of us—for artists, collectors and all who need it, for our children, friends and families, guests and visitors.

The vision of this thriving cultural hub is one of diverse thoughts, open-mindedness, exceptional programming, and goodwill.

We hope to spark inspiring conversations—from those at the openings to weekly workshops and lectures on our new platform in the North Gallery, to staged events and talks. We are here to listen, to hold space, and to be a container for all that matters in today’s world.

I am also a film nerd, so please welcome the Film Institute at Hi-Desert Cultural Center! We will gather every first Sunday of the month at the Blak Box Theater to welcome special guests for Q&As and to introduce and watch classic and also family cinema.

There is so much more in the works—we haven’t been able to sleep due to the excitement! Please stay tuned and look out for posters in town, announcements on social media, and your monthly outreach letter fin your inbox from now on.

We value your support and opinions immensely, so please do not hesitate to write us back with feedback and ideas.

We hope to see you at our first gallery event on January 4—the Desert Dwellers Exhibition combined with the opening of the HDCC archive vaults, which reach back to the 1950s.

Have a safe, happy, and peaceful winter holiday season, and may 2025 be a good year for us all.

Sincerely,