Art Campus

Welcome to Our Campus

Art is meant to inspire—and our art campus does just that. Nestled in the heart of La Quinta, just one block from Old Town Main Street, Old Town Artisan Studios offers a creative oasis like no other. With tree-lined gardens, brick patios, and a cascading waterfall, our serene three-acre property is surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains, providing the perfect backdrop for creativity and artistic expression. Designed by artists, for aspiring artists—this is a space where imagination takes root and grows. Our 20,000-square-foot facility features seven working studios, including a fully equipped Pottery Studio with rows of wheels and a kiln room housing eight professional kilns. The Leland Gallery hosts rotating art exhibitions and opening receptions, while our on-site retail shop offers handmade goods and artisan crafts, with proceeds supporting local artists and our outreach programs. Whether you’re visiting to take a class, view an exhibit, or simply stroll through the gardens, the campus offers inspiration at every turn.

Where Creativity and History Flourish

1940s – The Homestead Era

World-renowned photographers Mary Mead and Tamis Maddick purchased the property and commissioned famed architect Cliff May to design a stylish ranch retreat. Soon, it became a gathering place for Hollywood legends like Elizabeth Taylor, Lucille Ball, Alfred Hitchcock, and John Wayne.

1975 – The Cunard Era

Restaurateur Robert Cunard and his wife Dolly purchased the property and reimagined it as a destination dining experience. In 1987, they opened Cunard’s Restaurant, a fine-dining gem that earned the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award for culinary excellence.

1990s – The Office Park Era

Entrepreneurs transformed the property into a boutique office complex with restaurants such as The La Quinta Grill and Emil’s Bistro. Additions included rental suites, restrooms, and other commercial features—yet the character of the original home remained.

2016 – The Old Town Artisan Studios Era Begins

After years of expanding programs and outreach, our nonprofit found its permanent home. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we acquired the property in 2016 and moved in by mid-2017, transforming it into a vibrant community art campus.

Today

Old Town Artisan Studios continues to expand access to quality art experiences for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, both on-campus and through its mobile art programs.