High Desert Test Sites

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High Desert Test Sites

HDTS is a non-profit arts organization based in Joshua Tree, CA
http://www.highdeserttestsites.com/hdts

High Desert Test Sites is a non-profit organization that supports immersive experiences and exchanges between artists, critical thinkers, and general audiences – challenging all to expand their definition of art to take on new areas of relevancy. As a conceptual entity we are dedicated to "learning from what we are not." We believe there are many ways to live, and that learning from others can off

er new insight and perspectives on ourselves, and the everyday environments we may think we already know well. Our mission is inspired by those visionary individuals who have made their work their life practice – who create intellectually rigorous and culturally relevant work regardless of the market or other outside factors. HDTS programs include guides to the high desert’s cultural test sites, immersive excursions, solo projects, workshops, publications, and residencies.

03/17/2026

Our annual benefit dinner is almost here, but you still have a chance at taking home one of these incredible works. Head to the link in our bio for more information.

06/23/2025

We’re hiring!

High Desert Test Sites is hiring for two part-time positions in Joshua Tree: Administrative Coordinator and Programs + Events Coordinator.

The Administrative Coordinator focuses on internal operations and financial systems—keeping our organizational engine running smoothly.

The Programs + Events Coordinator works closely with artists, residents, and the public to bring our programs and events to life with care and creativity.

If you (or someone you know) is passionate about contemporary art, thrives in a collaborative environment, and feels at home in a dynamic desert landscape, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more and apply at the links in our bio.

Photo by Anne Müchler & Nico Schmitz.

02/26/2025

New Merch Drop! In the lead-up to our Third Annual Benefit Dinner on March 22, we’re releasing our 2025 t-shirt featuring The End of the World by Jack Pierson (). Screen printed from a hand drawing by the artist, this tee pays homage to Pierson’s iconic 2012 work, installed in HDTS 2022 as a monumental marker in Wonder Valley—a place known for those who drop off the edge of civilization.

Don’t miss out—grab yours now at the link in our bio. And if you’re up for a desert drive, check out the HDTS Greatest Hits Driving Map to visit The End of the World yourself.

08/31/2022

Join the Desert Research Library Book Club for an in-person meeting and author visit this Monday, September 5th at 7pm to discuss “CHOSEN” by Stephen Mills . We will be meeting at the fire station next door to at 65430 Winters Road, Joshua Tree
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Here’s what author Stephen Mills had to say about why his memoir fits in with our desert theme: “CHOSEN is not about the desert but it is definitely a book of the desert. After years of false starts, I began writing it while on a 10-day meditation retreat in 29 Palms in 2018. I wrote the rest during week-long solitary sessions in our cabin on Giant Rock Road. This convulsive saga spanning six decades and several continents could have only emerged from the stillness, silence, and expansiveness of Copper Mountain Mesa. What better place to gather and discuss it!"
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If you haven’t read the book yet, no problem! But if you would like a free copy, stop by Kip’s Little Free Library on Winters Road, about 1 mile east of Border. See you on Monday 👀

08/10/2022

HDTS is now hiring a part-time coordinator, specifically someone who has excellent administrative skills and is very organized 🗂📂📩

For more details about this position visit our Linktree in bio 🔗

08/06/2022

All A-Z West containers are fired in one kiln at the studio. Here are some of the production stages: ⁠
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〰️ Unfired containers rest while a table of bisqueware is being prepped waits to be glazed. On the far table are some finished containers awaiting shipment. ⁠
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〰️ A series of bisqueware containers which have been sanded and taped in preparation for glazing. ⁠
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〰️ The A-Z West studio kiln with a roof that .heald built to protect it from the elements ⁠
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〰️ More finished Containers (porcelain clay body + black and white glazes) and lastly the studio 🌌⁠ (snapped by )⁠
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07/31/2022

During her time spent at A-Z West this year, ⁠ produced a series of sculptures made from computer scrap gold recycled from used computer parts and collected earth from specific locations in the desert. ⁠
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In her own words: ⁠
"These sculptures are a meditative space to contemplate our physical relationship to computers and digital images. The computer scrap gold is recycled from used computer parts that have transmitted images and text and algorithms through the internet. ⁠
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Now, the gold has been cast into makeshift bullions that may be used in future forms. But for the moment they rest on these sculptural panels of mineral heavy/lava/sand/artificial blue earthen panels." ⁠
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Below are their titles starting with the tannish one, then greenish one, then blue one, and black one (swipe to the last slide): ⁠
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Joshua Tree & Computer Scrap Gold⁠
Mineral Heavy & Computer Scrap Gold⁠
Blue Stucco & Computer Scrap Gold⁠
Black Lava & Computer Scrap Gold⁠
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07/25/2022

Originally compiled by James Trainor and Andrea Zittel for their students of the Institute for Investigative Living, The is a printed publication once sold at the HDTS HQ, now available to be read online 💻⁠🪁
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The log has been shaped and added to by HDTS and members of the wider local community. As a tribute to the relationship between HDTS + A-Z West, some of the log entries will be posted here as well. ⁠
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In our Linktree you'll find a link to the entire log 📖 ⁠
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Here's an entry by Juanita Metzger: ⁠

Artists’ Tea is a destination and community experience all rolled into one stimulating Sunday morning. When I happened upon this event series in early 2017, I participated in a juicing ceremony and explored mindfulness through drawing exercises, all because I noticed the delightful, hand drawn poster in the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor’s Center. ⁠
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Artists’ Tea hosts different guest artists - all local or regional experts in their fields - to guide conversations and immersive experiences on issues related to Joshua Tree National Park. ⁠
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Artists’ Tea begins February 18 and runs through April 29, 2018; every Sunday 9am- 11am at Cap Rock, Joshua Tree National Park. Park entrance fees apply but the events are free and open to all. No need to be an artist, just come with a curious mind. ⁠
Bring your own mug to share in a cup of tea or cocoa during the program. ⁠
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(Keep in mind, entries were written before the pandemic, so some logs may need updates 💟)⁠

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06/30/2022

This Friday 7/1 and kick off their west coast summer tour at the Firehouse Outpost alongside ❤️‍🔥⁠
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Doors at 6:30 / 65336 Winters Road next to Copper Mountain Mesa Community Association (Joshua Tree)⁠
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$10 tickets at the door!⁠
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06/28/2022

More announcements! ⁠
Tomorrow from 1-3pm on Zoom, Cracked Eggs presents "Connections," the pilot performance of interdisciplinary Joshua Tree-based artist Linda Sibio's countywide art and public health initiative 🐣 ⁠
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Linda has been a close friend of ours for years, and it's an understatement to say that she's worked hard to get this amazing project off the ground. We couldn't be more proud!⁠
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Linda taught her Insanity Principle workshops through HDTS in 2018, and has recently been teaching similar workshops throughout the county for people with mental health challenges, thanks to support from the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health. ⁠
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Linda's lived experience with schizophrenia has led her to develop interdisciplinary art exercises that channel mental health experiences into creative expression. She first designed the Cracked Eggs as an arts workshop series in 2002.⁠
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For more information about how to view/participate, head over to for further details!⁠
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This event will be the first public performance by her first cohort of students, so make sure to check it out 👀⁠
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06/27/2022

SKIN CONTACT is back every first Sunday at !

Clear your calendars for a new desert drag + performance art experience 🌹⁠
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Featuring performances from THE HAUS OF DERMA : ⁠
SCARLETT LETTERS ⁠
SUSHI KAREN⁠
BERLIN ⁠
And the original producer of “SKIN,” SKYNSUIT ⁠
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With special guests, KING PHANTOM , FOXIE ADJUIA & SATANNA ⁠
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With a skin-to-skin and needle-to-vinyl soundscape from JEFFREY CABALLERO, AKA DJ JEFFERSON ⁠
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Head to The Alibi Palm Springs July 3, Doors 8pm & Showtime 9pm⁠
$10 suggested donation⁠
21+⁠
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06/22/2022

: Hal McFeely, Michael Stewart, and Russell Whitten "The Wagon Station Customizers" from HDTS 3 (2003)⁠
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's A-Z Wagon Stations are small living shelters that reference both the covered wagons of the western frontier and the standard suburban station wagons of today.⁠
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Images 1-3: ⁠
Photos of "The Wagon Station Customizers" from HDTS 3 (2003)⁠
Russell Whitten (aka Freak Russ) customized his Wagon Station with high polish aluminum flames. Russ intended to provide shelter when he takes a break from riding his dirtbike across the hot desert near his home in Yucca Valley 🔥⁠
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🪵 Hal MeFeely scavenged most of the components for his wagon station customization from the wood pile in the 29 Palms Marine Base. ⁠
Michael Stewart created the mother of all luxury outposts with his wagon station with built in barbecue and cooler 🧊⁠
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Images 4-7:⁠
Details from the first generation of Wagon Stations which were “customized” by an intimate group of Zittel’s friends and frequent collaborators who would often come out to stay at A-Z West. ⁠
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Each Wagon Station is created as an investigation into issues of personal independence, self-sufficiency, and the need for community. ⁠
If you visit A-Z West, you will see the Wagon Stations gathered upon the hillside. Two-hour tours of A-Z West get to look inside and see how they work 🌼⁠
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Address

6470 Veterans Way
Joshua Tree, CA
92252

Website

http://www.highdeserttestsites.com/

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