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Council approves autism 'Color the Spectrum' festival permit and funds Barone exhibit in Town Square
Summary
The council approved a special‑use permit for the Autism Society’s Color the Spectrum Art Festival (April 6) at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater and authorized $2,300 from the Public Arts Commission budget for a Karen and Tony Barone sculpture exhibit in Town Square Park.
The Cathedral City Council approved two arts and events items: a temporary use permit for the Autism Society Inland Empire’s Color the Spectrum Art Festival on Sunday, April 6 at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater, and a $2,300 allocation from the Public Arts Commission budget to host a sculpture exhibition by Karen and Tony Barone in Town Square Park.
Ryan Hunt, events staff, presented the autism festival application on behalf of the organizer; staff said the April 6 event is free to attend, will be family‑friendly and is expected to draw several hundred attendees (staff projected about 400–600). The applicant asked the council to consider an in‑kind venue sponsorship of $2,500; councilmembers discussed using district or discretionary funds to support a portion of the sponsorship. Councilmember Lam said she intended to contribute from her district funds and others signaled support. The council voted to approve the special‑use permit; the motion passed unanimously.
Separately, the Public Arts Commission recommended a temporary exhibition of 14 large‑scale pop‑art sculptures by Karen and Tony Barone to run in Town Square Park concurrent with the Desert X regional exhibition. The commission requested $2,300 from its general fund to cover sculpture transport ($1,500), signage ($500) and a small reception ($300). Christina Burton, the commission’s staff clerk, summarized the exhibit plan and said pieces would be placed on concrete walkways and not require anchoring to the ground; engineering staff will review placements and site safety during installation. The council approved the Public Arts Commission recommendation and the $2,300 allocation by unanimous vote.
Why it matters: the two approvals add cultural programming and inclusive community events to Cathedral City’s calendar: the autism festival highlights artists and participants on the autism spectrum, and the Barone exhibit is designed to draw visitors to downtown concurrent with the valley‑wide Desert X exhibition. Council and staff emphasized that both events are intended to be accessible and family‑friendly; staff said the festival is free to the public and the Barone pieces will be sited to avoid pedestrian conflicts.
Votes at a glance: Color the Spectrum Art Festival SUP (approved 5–0; motion by Councilmember Gutierrez, second by Councilmember Carnivale). Public Arts Commission Barone exhibit funding (approved 5–0; motion by Councilmember Lam, second by Councilmember Gutierrez).
