Exploring the Salton Sea

My recent road trip around the Salton Sea in Southern California was motivated by my desire to retrace the steps I took with my friend Dave in 2009 and 2010. When he passed away suddenly a year after that last road trip, I started working on a personal project about our first visit to Salvation Mountain. The area has only become more compelling to me as a result. 

On my tour around the Salton Sea I visited abandoned structures and ruins in Bombay Beach, Salton City, North Shore, Niland and Salton Sea Beach. I also explored East Jesus in Slab City, and took several trips to photograph Salvation Mountain. My return to the North Shore Yacht Club was also memorable. As was my impromptu photo shoot with the mysterious boxes around the Red Hill Marina. With large gaps between my visits the changes to these places have always seemed extreme. Perhaps it's part of what keeps calling me back to the Salton Sea.

Abandoned Market in North Shore

North Shore Yacht Club

Abandoned Yacht Club in Salton City

Dave and I exploring the Salton Sea in 2010.

Bombay Beach Ruins

A photo shoot with the mysterious boxes around the Red Hill Marina.

Salton Sea Beach Marina

Slab City & East Jesus

Salvation Mountain

TREX Artist Workshop

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to shoot this video for the Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX) made possible through the Esplanade and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. I was a fly-on-the-wall for one their Visiting Artist Workshops, in which students interact with professional artists and their work, and then take part in hands on creative projects.

This workshop took place at I.F. Cox elementary school in Redcliff, Alberta with artists Dawn Detarando and Brian McArthur sharing their exhibition Bird Frieze: New Works in Porcelain. Three different groups of 3rd graders then participated in a range of projects that allowed them to add their creativity to the mix. Have a look at how it went by watching the video below.

TREX Artist Workshop, Southeast Alberta
Have a look at what happens when artists are invited into the classroom to collaborate. I shot this video earlier this year for the TREX Artist Workshop taking place at I.F. Cox School in Redcliff, Alberta. This production was made possible by the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Learn more about this program here: http://www.trexprogramsoutheast.ca/
Posted by Editing Luke on Saturday, October 17, 2015

It was purely by coincidence that shooting this video brought me back to I.F. Cox. Last year I was involved in another project with the school when I was asked if they could use one of my images for a school-wide art project. It's now hanging in the hallway. More on that experience here.

Overall, I had a blast shooting this video. Working with kids is always a bit unpredictable, and that's part of the fun when you're collaborating with so many other enthusiastic and creative people. TREX's Visiting Artist Workshops are amazing to see in action and provide a great resource for communities and artists alike. Learn more about the program here.