Artists Karen and Tony Barone Announce Animal Crackers

Unique art sculptures find home in
idyllic California desert setting

Rancho Mirage, Calif – October 12th, 2020 — International sculptors and artists Karen and Tony Barone announce their latest art-in-public-places art installation, Animal Crackers. Located in Rancho Mirage, California on Highway 111, in the very center of the Palm Springs Coachella Valley, on the site of the former historic Chart House restaurant, Animal Crackers consists of two distinctly unique works: an over 7 foot tall giant pink gorilla and a 9 foot long stalking bright red jaguar with black spots. The gorilla, dubbed Cherry Vanilla Gorilla and the jaguar, known as God of the Night, create a spectacular color contrast to their rough & mountainous desert backdrop upon which they stand. Animal Crackers is the latest addition to the Karen & Tony Barone Coachella Valley Art Tour inspired by the works of Karen and Tony Barone, a driving tour of 36 larger-than-life sculpture creations at 21 locations in the Southern California Coachella Valley, spanning from Palm Springs to Indio.

The Barones have made available a free app which provides a map of drive-by locations with street addresses where their art can be viewed from the comfort and safety of a vehicle. The app is a free download and may be accessed on the web www.BaroneArt.com The app may be used on Android and iPhone devices.

Animal Crackers exhibit will be on display for two years at the Rancho Mirage location, thanks to the generosity of property owner Grit Development. The Barones have devoted over a year of planning and work to bring the art installation to life. Karen and Tony Barone are delighted to see their vision of Animal Crackers come to fruition.

“The location on Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage is historic & distinctive. It cried out for us to create something special in the way of monumental art,” offers Karen Barone.

“When we took a hard look at the property, it was obvious to us that these two sculptures needed to reside there,” notes Tony Barone. “This art installation will become an instant focal point in our desert.”

“We are thrilled Animal Crackers has been added to the Karen & Tony Barone Coachella Valley Art Tour. The response to the driving tour has been overwhelmingly positive. This will be a fun addition,” assures Karen.

The Barones believe that art is a powerful force for good, and philanthropy is interwoven into their projects. The Barones have long been advocates of private sector support and funding of art-in-public-places. They enlist private sector entities to support artworks gifted to children’s museums and hospitals, animal shelters, fire stations, etc. Karen and Tony have successfully implemented this concept throughout the Palm Springs / Coachella Valley and in notable locations around the world.

“An ultimate goal for us as artists is to share our creativity while spreading as much enjoyment and happiness as possible. We all benefit from smiling,” confirms Tony.

“If we can bring on a smile, foster good feelings, or turn attention to that which is fun, well, mission accomplished,” says Karen.

To learn more about Animal Crackers and the Karen & Tony Barone Coachella Valley Art Tour and see sculptures on the Tour, visit www.BaroneArt.com

Social media fans can stay updated on the Barone works at Facebook & Instagram & Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/KarenTonyBarone
https://www.instagram.com/baronestudio
https://twitter.com/BaroneArtStudio

About Karen and Tony Barone

Long respected by the international art world, Chicago natives Karen and Tony Barone have been a driving force in making art in various forms more accessible to art fans from all walks of life. This married duo is noted for their creation of, art videos, paintings, and most of all, ginormous sculpture. The Barones reside in the Palm Springs Coachella Valley of Southern California. www.BaroneArt.com

CONTACT:

Laura Kirkham
The Laura Kirkham Agency
760.285.9922
Laura@LauraKirkham.com

Karen and Tony Barone Create Drive-By Art Tour

Enjoy art sculpture via self-driving tour in

California’s Palm Springs / Coachella Valley

Rancho Mirage, Calif – October 12th, 2020 — Renown artists Karen and Tony Barone announce the launch of the Karen & Tony Barone Coachella Valley Art Tour. Known for their whimsical and inspirational giant metal sculptures, the Barone’s have 36 larger-than-life pieces at 21 locations in the Southern California Coachella Valley, from Palm Springs to Indio.  Art fans can enjoy their own driving tour to see each of these sculptures. Energized by experiencing the Barone’s art, tech guru & filmmaker Jon Orlin, created a smart phone app especially for the Tour. The app provides a map of drive-by locations with street addresses where the art sculptures can be viewed from the comfort and safety of a car. The app is a free download and may be accessed on the web at BaroneArt.com. The app may be used on Android and iPhone devices.

These notable sculptures can be enjoyed on the driving Tour at such locations as Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Library, the Children’s Discovery Museum in Rancho Mirage, Town Center Way in Palm Desert, along El Paseo in Palm Desert, Terra Lago Fire Station in Indio, and many other spots as listed on the app.

The latest addition to the Karen & Tony Barone Coachella Valley Art Tour is the installation known as Animal Crackers. It is located in Rancho Mirage, Calif. on Highway 111, on the historic site of the former Chart House restaurant. Animal Crackers consists of  two distinct pieces: an over 7 foot tall pink gorilla and a 9 foot long red jaguar with black spots. The gorilla, dubbed “Cherry Vanilla Gorilla” and the jaguar known as “God of the Night”, create a spectacular color contrast to the stark mountainous desert backdrop upon which they stand.

More sculptures are planned to be included in the Karen & Tony Barone Coachella Valley Art Tour in coming months and will be subsequently updated on the app and website.

The Karen & Tony Barone Coachella Valley Art Tour was born from the Barones’ creative desire to find a way for art patrons to safely enjoy their work despite the closure of museums and galleries due to virus health concerns.

“With so many of our sculpture pieces on display across the valley, Karen and I decided we could create a driving tour,” offers Tony Barone. “This is truly drive-by art entertainment.”

“Families, individuals, can drive to each piece at their leisure,” notes Karen Barone. “The Tour creates an opportunity for one and all to be a little less house bound, enjoy our sculptures, yet remain safe. Art feeds the soul, and these fun sculptures are the best elixir for these unique times.”

“We love sharing our creations,” says Tony. “Giving art lovers an opportunity to experience a form of fun escapism seemed ideal. If there was ever a time to enjoy a change of scenery safely and be entertained by an art form, this is definitely it.”

“Take a drive on the wild animal side and experience whimsy from sculpture that lifts your spirits. Be mask-free in the comfort of your own vehicle,” suggests Karen.

The Palm Springs / Coachella Valley area in Southern California is a major international tourist destination, with over 4 million visitors from around the world annually. In recent years, the active art scene there has continued to grow and attract art fans from across the globe. Karen and Tony Barone’s influence in the art world has played an integral part in this growth.

To learn more about the Coachella Valley Barone Art Tour and see sculptures on the Tour, visit www.BaroneArt.com

Social media fans can stay updated on the Barone works at Facebook & Instagram & Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/KarenTonyBarone
https://www.instagram.com/baronestudio
https://twitter.com/BaroneArtStudio

About Karen and Tony Barone

Long respected fixtures in the international art world, Chicago natives Karen and Tony Barone have been a driving force in making art in various forms more accessible to art fans from all walks of life. This married duo is noted for their creation of jumbo scale sculpture which is a part of their ArtAdoption Program. This program strives to place sculpture pieces in public places. It enlists the private sector to fund public art sculpture, gifting pieces to schools, parks, cities, and animal shelters world wide. The Barones reside in the Palm Springs Coachella Valley of Southern California and many of their sculpture pieces are beloved fixtures throughout the desert communities. www.BaroneArt.com

CONTACT:

Barone Studio
kt@baroneart.com