BIG HEARTS FOR LITTLE HEARTS DESERT GUILD
INAUGURAL HEARTS OF HOPE CAMPAIGN

Three celebrated California artists, Sofia Enriquez, Marconi Calindas, and Elisabeth Anisimow, have volunteered their talents to each design a 42-inch tall fiberglass heart to support the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild’s inaugural “Hearts of Hope” campaign. The campaign is designed to increase awareness and raise funds to support Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and Loma Linda University Children’s Health – Indio, Jill and Barry Golden Pavilion. 

Sofia Enriquez, who has lived in the Coachella Valley all her life, employs fine art, fashion, and street art in pursuit of her goal to have people see art every day. Her mural, Empowerment of Women, is featured on the exterior of Taqueria Arandas in Coachella. Working with children at Palm Springs Art Museum during its summer youth program, Sofia recently completed a 100-foot-long mural across the street from the Museum. In addition, Sofia teaches art at local schools to encourage children, especially girls, to understand the importance of creativity and self-expression.

Marconi Calindas, born in the Philippines, moved to San Francisco in 2008 and to Palm Springs in 2015. Black lines and pure hues represent Marconi’s trademark style; his subject matter ranges from pop icons to the triumphs of the human spirit. For the pasttwoyears Marconi was selected by Emirates Airlines, to represent the U.S. as one of four worldwide artists in its Art of Travel Art Competition. In 2016 he was one of 20 artists asked to create a heart for the annual Hearts in San Francisco project. AT&T acquired the heart for $50,000 and it is installed at AT&T’s San Francisco headquarters. In 2017 the distinguished Desert Sun’s Best of the Valley was awarded to Galleria Marconi located in the Backstreet Art District in Palm Springs.  

Elisabeth Anisimow, a child prodigy based in the Los Angeles area, started painting at two years old and gained prominence for her watercolor paintings at age seven. She continues to pursue other genres including her Living Art Series. Elisabeth paints a living person, along with a backdrop and props, in the styles evoking old masters,impressionistand modern artists. She then uses a camera to capture the images of her painted subjects in different poses and prints them onto framed canvases. In May, Elisabeth was featured on CNBC to talk about her “living art.” Her work has been exhibited around the world including the Children’s Museum in Oslo, Norway as well as at art galleries, festivals, charity events, and fundraisers.

The Hearts of Hope Inaugural Campaign was inspired by the work of Dr. Leonard Bailey, world renowned surgeon who pioneered infant heart transplantation at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. The campaign will hold its signature launch event hosted by presenting sponsor, Heather James Fine Art, on Tuesday, November 27, in Palm Desert. In December, CODA Gallery in Palm Desert will exhibit the hearts and host a reception and wine tasting on Friday, December 21, 5-7 pm. The one-of-a-kind hearts will be auctioned off during two fundraising events in February for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and Children’s Health – Indio: The Big Hearts for Little Hearts “Girls, Guys, & Giving” on February 4, 2019 and the 26th annual Children’s Hospital Foundation Gala at the Riverside Convention Center on February 21, 2019.

RSVP for December 21 reception at CODA Gallery