High Desert Test Sites Marks 25 Years with Benefit Dinner Near Joshua Tree

A benefit dinner celebrated the 25th anniversary of High Desert Test Sites (HDTS) on a parcel of land adjacent to Joshua Tree National Park in the Mojave Desert. Founded by artist Andrea Zittel in 2000 as an extension of her art practice, HDTS began as an annual event for site-specific installations and performances. Zittel initially purchased five acres with a 1950s homestead cabin, which has since expanded to 120 acres. The organization has hosted over 450 artists from local communities like Twentynine Palms and Wonder Valley, as well as international participants from England and South Africa. Evolving into a nonprofit, HDTS now offers short- and long-term residencies and year-round artist-driven programming, fostering deeper connections between people and the environment. The event featured Zittel speaking about HDTS's evolution, emphasizing its role as more than an art incubator.