NEPO+ SOS Earth Day Pop-up

Link to Donate to support artists and musicians.

Link to Learn More about the event and band lineup.

Link to Ticktes for the event, donations are appreciated!    

NEPO+ Community, Art & Technology is excited to invite you to our first pop-up event in Desert Shores to raise awareness for the Salton Sea community and celebrate Earth Day on April 23, 2022. This year we are sponsored by the EcoMedia Compass a 501C3 non-profit and are collaborating with Planet LA Records, Coconut Spaceship , and AGESS, inc. There will be an incredible lineup of bands like Westerner, Rose City Cinema, Niantic Media and more!

During the day we plan on hosting family friendly activities like group painting and kayaking, with food and craft vendors. In the evening we will transition to the live bands, cocktails and "SOS Glow Gallery" an interactive experience featuring Desert Shores local artists Steven Zirblis and other California Community Artists Trevon Rogers, Arkar Hein, Shane Gundelfinger, Brandon Honjio, Melissa Rocha, Monkey D. Gabby, Abeeha Awan, Alia  Ally, Melanie Sojourn and many more. We are still accepting applications for artists and vendors until April 16th so please reach out and fill out the exhibitor form on this page if you are interested. Our goal is to highlight #upcycled materials and utilize #art and #technology as a catalyst to increase #environmental #awareness as a step towards restoring economic growth and quality of life for the #desertshores #community.

In honor of Earth Day this will be a BYOC Event so please bring your own cup so we can ensure a sustainable event and keep waste to a minimum.

THE CHALLENGE - The Salton Sea’s natural ecosystem is at the cusp of disappearing and its water depletion is increasing respiratory health issues for nearby communities. Without an instream of revenue supporting restoration projects at the Salton Sea, the management of its water resources becomes a growing concern and forces organizations to scavenge for funding for future projects. The Salton Sea's harsh environmental conditions is increasing each day and there needs to be a “Now Solution.”

MISSION - The mission to use art as a catalyst, to increase environmental awareness while restoring the economic growth and quality of life of the  Salton Sea Community.

WHAT IS ARTCUPUNCTURE? - This is not a term used today but a strategy developed by researching several international master-plan guidelines that support sites in need of eco-tourism and case studies that used architectural experience as a catalyst. Creating small intermediate projects that use Art and Urban Acupuncture to attract resources to increase the value of the environment, quality of life and economy of a city. Learn More about Sovanarry Phy's thesis project.

THE VISION - high quality tourist attraction, generate income support for the conservation site, raising awareness & educate, develop mutual relationships

ATTRACTION & INCOME - By placing large temporary art sculptures around the Sea, this will attract the public to the Salton Sea. Funds developed from visitors’ spending, will contribute back to Salton Sea’s restoration projects.

AWARENESS - Creating a powerful message that will attract the appropriate crowd, will have a positive correlation to viewers towards the issue at the Salton Sea.

RELATIONSHIPS - Success of the site is largely dependent on strong relationships between numerous partnerships, community, businesses and indigenous people. During the thesis process, interviews and presentations of the "ArtCupuncture" approach were conducted with the community of Desert Shores, community of Bombay Beach, AGESS, SSAC, Eco- Media and city officials from Riverside County. Future presentations are planned to be conducted with other non-profits and indigenous organizations.