A tale of the painted deer … and a couple of coyotes

By Art Alliance of Idyllwild
Contributed

Zurich has its cows. Berlin has its bears. Santa Fe has its painted ponies. Cincinnati has its pigs and Idyllwild has its … deer — soon to be lots more of them.

In 2013, the Art Alliance of Idyllwild (AAI) launched a project to install 22 painted deer in 12 locations. Each artist had a theme depicting some aspect of Idyllwild: nature, flora, fauna, music, hiking, climbing, art, history, film making, the legend of Tahquitz and the area’s connection to the Cahuilla Natives.

Each deer is a colorful, artistic representation of the attraction of Idyllwild. A 300-pound metal sculpture by local sculptor Dore Capitani, was installed at the same time as the deer as part of the project.

On Sept. 15, 2013, the AAI held its first “Herd Gathering” to showcase the painted deer of the AAI’s first public art project.

Sadly, two of the original herd were lost to the community: “Rocky” painted by husband and wife team Neil Jenkins and Donna Elliot was stolen from the front of La Casita Mexican Restaurant. Its theme was rock climbing and hiking. It was never found. “Open for Business” painted by husband and wife team Fariad and Jennifer Ali was destroyed in a car crash.

Fortunately, Neil and Donna painted “Rocky II.” It was installed at the original location of “Rocky.” The other deer was not replaced at Idyllwild Inn.

In January 2018, the AAI launched a project to expand the deer herd.

“We placed an order for 13 new deer made up of bucks, does and fawns, but soon we had to increase the order four times to accommodate all those who wished to sponsor or paint a deer,” said Donna Elliot, then AAI president. A total of 28 deer were added to the original herd and one coyote.

A buck with the theme “Americana” painted by Anna Marie Head and Jerry Baccaire now stands proudly next to Idyllwild Inn. It celebrates our armed services and is a fitting adjunct to the American flag that flies in IdyPark in the center of town.

For several artists, this is the second deer they are painting. For others, it is their first contribution to Idyllwild’s public art. Many of the artists live in Idyllwild while some are “off the Hill” in the desert communities.

Many feature the theme of nature as paint flows from the imagination onto the deer. In other instances, the artists were inspired to do something unusual and a design or theme evolves: Mad Hatter, Steampunk and fantasy spring to mind. Idyllwild has long been an inspiring haven for artists.

On June 16, 2018, a second “Herd Gathering” was held that featured all the newly painted deer before they were installed in their new locations.

Thanks to the generosity of the Ruth & Joseph C. Reed Foundation for the Arts, a third “Herd Gathering” will take place on Saturday, May 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. in IdyPark in the center of town. The Reed Foundation sponsored 12 new deer and one coyote.

These are being painted by students and their families in their homes.

One deer was sponsored by Strawberry Creek Village, so 13 newly painted deer will be on display.

During 2020, the AAI conducted a maintenance program for the existing herd. Several deer from the original herd needed extensive TLC. Three of these will be on display along with the newly painted deer, including a Rocky III.

The AAI invites you to meet the artists, listen to live music, take part in a raffle and enjoy the beautiful setting into which these new deer will be installed.

A “Trail of the Painted Deer” map gives the location, name and description of each deer. It also includes the artists and sponsors. A new map will be available shortly to include the newly painted deer and coyote.

The Art Alliance of Idyllwild is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by enthusiastic volunteers who believe in its mission to see Idyllwild become a nationally recognized fine arts center for education, creativity and exhibition.

Learn more at www.artinidyllwild.org and/or join us at the “Herd Gathering!”