Native American Arts Center

Let me introduce you to an amazing resource right here in our own community. The Idyllwild Arts Native American Arts Center exists alongside the academy and summer program. Honoring the native people of the area has been important to Idyllwild Arts since its formation in 1946. For many years Heather Companiott worked on the center along with the summer programs. But for the last 7 years, Native American Shalaya Ben has been the executive director of the program and has expanded the Center into an all year Center. She has nurtured an entire week of special programs, classes, lectures and performances designed to teach non-natives about the peoples that lived on this mountain for thousands of years before us.

Classes in everything from glass blowing, pottery, jewelry making, weaving, beading, basket making, woodworking, etc are offered from June 8th – June 22nd. These clases are fee based. Each is taught by distinguished artists in their field. Click here for a listing of all the available classses.

In addition to the classes, a host of FREE events is planned for this week that anyone in town can attend for free. They can say it better than me…” The week-long festival provides a provocative learning experience by bringing together distinguished artists, scholars, and cultural specialists to present performances, demonstrations, films, exhibitions, showcases, and the popular Michael Kabotie Lecture Series.” (Idyllwild Arts Website)

Each of the events will be listed here in Good Morning Idyllwild so you can take advantage of all you can. If you don’t know where you’re going, there is a Welcome Booth at the entrance to Idyllwild Arts which sits at the end of Tollgate Road. They will point you in the right direction. Don’t miss this opportunity to check out the campus, learn something new, and honor the people who originally inhabited our mountain.

Garden Club’s
June – Garden of the Month
“Strawberry Creekside Stroll”

While water is still flowing, you won’t want to miss this shady stroll along Strawberry Creek to discover June’s Idyllwild Garden of the Month.  Marilyn Kemp’s creekside garden is an experience you won’t want to miss.  Park near the Amphitheatre / Brewpub and find the path along Strawberry Creek and saunter downstream. When you reach the two wooden chairs (and our Garden of the Month sign), you’ve reached the destination. Rest on the chairs or stroll past our Garden Club sign and into Marilyn’s Garden side garden. Her lovely garden includes Junipers, Privets, Cherry Laurel, Pyracantha, English Ivy, Artemisia (Great Basin Sagebrush), Smoke Tree, Snapdragon, Euonymus, Lilacs, Grevillea and Rock Roses (beautiful blooms).

This hidden stream-side trail is shaded with mature Alder, Willow, Pine, Cedar, Canyon and Live Oak trees. You’ll also find a cornucopia of native plants, including California Rose, Thimbleberry, Meadow Rue, Snowberry, Gooseberry, Columbine, Bracken Fern, Checker Mallow, Hedge Nettle, California Fuchsia, Mugwort, Sedge and Juncus (Rush), Mahonia (Oregon Grape), California Everlasting, and, of course, strawberries. You will also encounter several non-native invasives includes Armenian Blackberry, Ivy, Vinca and Mustard. Special THANKS to Michael Duval for his great expertise in confirming identification of the plants.

If you know an impressive Idyllwild garden you’d like to have featured, please contact Stephen Sutton at (562) 254-6721 or stepheninidy@gmail.com

June 11th – 12th
Thursday – Friday
This week only
Crafting with Crafty Chica
Idyllwild Arts
Birchard
Noon – 6 pm

The wonderful Crafty Chica returns Jun. 8 – Jun. 12 for her second summer joining the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program. Sponsored by the Native American Arts Center and its dedication to arts access for all, we invite the community at large, workshop attendees, staff, faculty, friends and family to join us for five days of drop-in, hands-on activities with Kathy and Patrick Murillo. 

Kathy Cano-Murillo is the founder of CraftyChica®. She is a former syndicated newspaper columnist and now a full-time creativepreneur and has authored a dozen books, including two novels and the best seller – Forever Frida. Kathy is a seasoned speaker and storyteller. Her CraftyChica designs have been sold on HSN, at Barnes & Noble, Michaels, and hundreds of pottery, craft, and fabric shops across the country. Kathy’s mission is to promote positivity via creativity! Features include Forbes, The New York Times, Buzzfeed+ more.

Friday June 12th
Family Movie Afternoon
Idyllwild Library
2:00 – 4:00 pm

Gather the whole family this Friday afternoon for a nostalgic, heartwarming screening of Disney’s animated classic, Dumbo!

Saturday June 13th
Garden Club Class
“Gardening with Kids”
Community Garden
Alderwood St. & N. Circle
10:00 am – 11 am
$10

Join Peter Kindfield, Wendy Read and Mary Rider today for a class on gardening with kids. From interesting, hands on science information to digging in the dirt, this class will be fun for the whole family.

Please RSVP for this class. The donation for this class is $10/adult (Kids are FREE!) and can be paid at the garden on the day of the class. Rain/snow cancels the class.

Saturday June 13th
Jr. Ranger Saturday
Idyllwild Nature Center
25225 Hwy. 243
Ages 4 – 5: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Ages 6-10: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Registrations info: 951-659-3850 or afedrick@rivco.org

Saturday June 13th
“Art of Sleeping on Dirt” Class
Idyllwild State Park
25905 Hwy. 243
Behind the Fire Dept.
Campground Amphitheater
3:00 – 5:00 pm
Everyone Welcome

Saturday June 13th
Improv Gone Wild
Rustic Theater
7:30 PM
$20 Pre-sale
$25 at door

Sunday June 14th
Memorial for Fred Maholland
American Legion Post 800
54360 Marian View Dr.
1:00 pm

Please join us as we gather to honor and remember Fred Maholland, a Vietnam veteran, Purple Heart recipient and dedicated member of the Idyllwild Honor Guard whose life and legacy touched many in our community. Over the years, Fred took part in many ceremonies with steadfast service and deep respect.

Friends, family, fellow veterans, and all who knew him are invited to come together for a Celebration of Life and memorial service. We will share memories, raise a toast, and honor Fred’s service, friendship, and lasting impact. This will be a potluck, and we welcome you to bring a dish to share as we gather in fellowship and remembrance.

Sunday June 14th
Free Pottery Demonstration
Mountain Pottery
54240 Pine Crest Ave.
1:00 pm

Dr. T will present “Getting a handle on handles!

Sunday June 14th
PAZ LENCHANTIN LIVE ON STAGE
Rustic Theatre
6:00 pm
$20 Pre-Sale
$25 at Door

Sunday June 14th
New Moon Drum Circle
Spirit Mountain Retreat
25661 Oakwood
6 pm – 7 pm

Tuesday June 16th
Native American Arts Festival
Michael Kabotie Lecture Series
With Julia Keefe & Marshall Hawkins
Krone Library
12:00 Noon

Join Julia Keefe (Nimiipuu), and Dr. Marshall Hawkins for the first session of our annual Michael Kabotie Lecture series! Our speakers will share a special presentation and discussion about Indigenous Jazz, its history, and its future, including a special musical sneak peek of Thursday evening’s performance of “Hemyu’mu’kotsat: Honoring Indigenous Jazz Matriarchs” in Krone Library. A Native foods luncheon will be provided.

Wednesday, June 17th
Summer Reading Adventure
“Balloon Twisting” 
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Learn the art of Balloon Twisting and make one to take home!

Wednesday June 17th
Michael Kabotie Lecture Series and Native Foods Luncheon with Alexis Munoa Dyer
Krone Library
12:00 Noon

Alexis Munoa Dyer (Pechanga Band of Indians, Payómkawichum Nation) is an artist, poet, and author of “Nothing Without Intention: Weaving Modern Art Practice with Traditional World View”. In this conversation, she will share about her Grandfather’s Payómkawichum teachings and philosophies that provide very relevant ways in which we approach personal reflection in our daily life, work and art as Native people in 2026. A Native foods luncheon will be provided.

Wednesday June 17th
MAARA’YAM The Yuhaaviatam Story
Native American Festival Week
Rustic Theater
7:00 pm

Join us for an exclusive screening of the powerful documentary that captures the true history of the Yuhaaviatam Clan of Maara’yam. This film explores the Tribe’s enduring legacy, revealing how pivotal historical and political moments shaped their path and tested their leadership during times of great adversity. A special Q&A will follow.

NEW BOOKS
at the Library!

Discover a world of NEW BOOK arrivals in our three SPOTLIGHT displays— from celebrated fiction and biographies to art, photography and memoirs. Stop by today to discover your next great read and check out our newest arrivals!

NEED A RIDE?

The Idyllwild Shuttle Service is availble to anyone who needs to get somewhere in town and also for trips off the hill on designated days. All you have to do is call.

Call for a ride anywhere in Pine Cove and Idyllwild Monday thru Friday.

951-426-9688

Camp IDY
Summer Camp
Town Hall
June 8th – July 31
Mon – Fri
Register Now

Camp IDY
Summer Tween Camp
Town Hall
Journalism & Performance
Register Now
Mon-Fri 10 am – 4 pm

Home Tour Tickets
Now on Sale
Saturday September 19th

Saturday June 20th
Sunday June 21st
Strawberry Fest
Idyllwild Brew Pub
54423 Village Center Dr.

Stagecoach Rides
Saturday 1 pm – 5 pm
Sunday 11 am – 2 pm

Beer Garden:
Live Music
Vendors
Saturday 1 pm – 6 pm
Sunday Noon – 5 pm

Tuesday June 30th
Women’s Circle
The Community Center
54201 Ridgeview Dr.
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Tuesday June 30th
“Movies Filmed in Idyllwild”
With Bob Greenamyer
Idyllwild Library
5:00 pm

Step back in time and explore the hidden film history of Idyllwild. This engaging talk uncovers the legendary actors, directors, and film crews who used our stunning mountain landscape as their Hollywood backdrop.

Saturday July 4th
BBQ & Concert
American Legion
54360 Marian View Dr.

Body & Soul

Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis in Idyllwild.

Delivery in Idyllwild

Bear Necessities Delivered
Groceries/Restaurant Food/Mail/Pharmacy/Etc.
Call or Text: (951) 512-0800
Available 7 Days a Week
Everyday: 11 am – 8 pm
Deliver to Idyllwild, Pine Cove & Mountain Center.

The New Bathrooms are OPEN!
Next door to the Idyllwild Gardens Nursery – Across the street from the Rustic Theatre.
Open Daily 9am – 5pm

Thank you to Shane & Ashley Stewart for donating the land for these bathrooms and to Stephanie Yost with ICC for her persistence with the County of Riverside to FINALLY get us public bathrooms. Thank you to the County of Riverside and Supervisor Manuel Perez for making this happen. It’s been a LONG time coming! Bathrooms will be locked at night.

Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com

All events, venues & programs run by
Idyllwild Community Center

Idyllwild TOWN HALL
25925 Cedar St

Chair Exercise Class
FREE
Town Hall

Monday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 12:30pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Friday
Yoga for Seniors
Town Hall
10:45 am – 11:45 am

Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall
Tuesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Wednesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am

Mondays
Tai Chi Class
Free!
Town Hall
Mondays:10:30 am – 11:30 am
Fridays: 9:45 am – 10:30 am

Every Other Thursday
Starts Jan. 22
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
5:30 – 6:30

Every 3rd Thursday
Chess League
Community Center
54201 Ridgeview Dr.

FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.

The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am – 4 pm.

If you would like to volunteer to talk to visitors, help them find their way and point them in the direction of “A Good Time” please contact me at hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com.