News Release

Black Rock Art Gallery Opening of Groundwork Arts - Brushes, Beats and Beyond

Date: April 9, 2025
Contact:  Alison Shoup

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA— Joshua Tree National Park management is excited to announce a new exhibition of artworks by elementary students from Morongo Unified School District, entitled “Brushes, Beats and Beyond: Artist-Inspired Student Work,” an inspiring exhibition of student artwork created through its After School Artist Workshops, developed in partnership with Morongo Unified School District’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP).Groundwork Arts brings professional practicing artists into local community schools to provide innovative educational opportunities to students, teachers, and families.  
 
This two-site exhibition—on view at both the Joshua Tree National Park Black Rock Art Gallery in Yucca Valley and the City of 29 Palms Visitor Center—features a diverse range of works created by students from 11 local elementary schools, guided by 15 professional artists working across visual art, music, performance, and design. 
 
These immersive, artist-led experiences offer something powerful: the chance to dive deep, discover new skills, and find one’s voice. In a rural region where arts access can be limited, this program builds a meaningful bridge between young dreamers and the artistic inspirations that surround them. “In every classroom, we see young artists light up when they’re given space to be bold, to be messy, to be themselves. This exhibition is more than just a showcase—it’s a testament to what happens when students are trusted as creators. Their work is raw, joyful, inventive, and full of heart. It’s everything art should be.” — Rhonda Lane Coleman, Director of Groundwork Arts 
 
The exhibition will run from April 9 throughout the summer at the Black Rock Art Gallery in the Black Rock Nature Center, located at 9800 Black Rock Canyon Rd, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. There will be an opening reception on Friday, April 17, 2025 from 5pm to 7pm. The building is open 7 days a week, 8am – 11am, 12pm-4pm. Hours are subject to change starting June 1.