Noah Purifoy Foundation

Noah Purifoy Foundation Our mission is to preserve Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Museum of Assemblage Sculpture in Joshua Tree, C
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In 1998, Purifoy’s representative and colleague of many years, Sue A. Welsh, suggested to Purifoy the importance of preserving his outdoor desert art museum of assemblage sculpture in Joshua Tree. The following year the Noah Purifoy Foundation (NPF) was formally established as a 501© 3 non-profit private foundation. NPF Primary Activities

Preservation and maintenance of Noah Purifoy's existing wo

rks of art. Maintenance of the 10-acre Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Sculpture for public engagement, tours and educational programs. Curatorial assistance to provide visitors a coherent explanation of the desert museum project, its development, its relationship to the story of America during Noah's lifetime and the recognition of Noah Purifoy as a world leader in the genre of assemblage art. Organization of Purifoy’s papers and development of research opportunities for national and international artists and scholars to review his lifetime oeuvre. NPF Accomplishments

Since its establishment in 1999, the trustees of the Noah Purifoy Foundation have:

Acquired 2.5 acres where Noah Purifoy‘s studio is located through a generous donation from the family of artist Debby Brewer, colleague of Purifoy at the Watts Towers Art Center and emeritus board member. Received from Noah Purifoy the donation of his on-site art deeded to the foundation for preservation and public appreciation. Addition of nearby 7.5 acres for Purifoy to expand his practice through a donation by artist and trustee Ed Ruscha for a total environment of 10 acres. Hosted international conferences, local educational programs and annual Open Houses.

Getty Conservation Institute Senior Project Specialist Flavia Perugini and graduate interns’ visit was wonderfully insig...
05/27/2026

Getty Conservation Institute Senior Project Specialist Flavia Perugini and graduate interns’ visit was wonderfully insightful, offering new perspective on Noah’s inventive use of material and collaboration with the outdoors. Thanks for visiting— it was a pleasure!




Circular motion, carnival, something nostalgic and a little theatrical— dreamy repetition with variation. Returning, rev...
05/19/2026

Circular motion, carnival, something nostalgic and a little theatrical— dreamy repetition with variation. Returning, revisiting, orbiting, collecting fragments into a whole. 〰️🎟️📺🟡〰️🦋✨🔸〰️🔴 🕶️〰️

🟡What do you experience when seeing 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘭, 1996?

🟡What do you think Noah experienced?

Now showing shadows in 𝘈𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦, 2000. Come see the spectacle! ☀️
05/14/2026

Now showing shadows in 𝘈𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦, 2000. Come see the spectacle! ☀️

Noah was recognized by the as one of its founding members in celebration of 50 years— five decades of cultural impact a...
05/08/2026

Noah was recognized by the as one of its founding members in celebration of 50 years— five decades of cultural impact and arts advocacy across the Golden State! 🎭✨

Here’s to the future ahead!✨

Images/ video:
🌟Noah’s Certificate!
🌟Founding members and/or their representatives, from left to right:
Paul Lanier for Ruth Asawa (her son)
Joe Lewis for Noah Purifoy
Suzanne Jackson
Luis Valdez
Peter Coyote
Offstage Gary Snyder was also present.
🌟Peter Coyote reflecting on his experience after
hearing Noah speak.
🌟A lovely capture of a contemplative Noah, circa late
1960s.
🌟A portrait of Noah done by Ruth Asawa in 1977.

Noah was recognized by the as one of its founding members in celebration of 50 years— five decades of cultural impact a...
05/08/2026

Noah was recognized by the as one of its founding members in celebration of 50 years— five decades of cultural impact and arts advocacy across the Golden State! 🎭✨ Here’s to the future ahead! ✨

Images/ video:
🌟Founding members and/or their representatives, from left to right:
Paul Lanier for Ruth Asawa (her son)
Joe Lewis for Noah Purifoy
Suzanne Jackson
Luis Valdez
Peter Coyote
Offstage Gary Snyder was also present.
🌟Peter Coyote reflecting on his experience after hearing Noah speak.
🌟Noah’s Certificate.
🌟A lovely capture of a contemplative Noah, circa late 1960s.
🌟A portrait of Noah done by Ruth Asawa in 1977.

californiaarts

Full story by link in bio. Pictured here: “Everything and the Kitchen Sink,” 1996.
05/06/2026



Full story by link in bio.

Pictured here: “Everything and the Kitchen Sink,” 1996.

It is with sadness that we announce that Sue A. Welsh passed away in late March. As the co-founder and heart and soul of...
04/26/2026

It is with sadness that we announce that Sue A. Welsh passed away in late March. As the co-founder and heart and soul of NPF she will be deeply missed.

“She left us peacefully, just as she always lived: with grace and quiet strength. There are no words for how much she meant to Noah, to this foundation, and to me personally. For those who never met her: she was a force of nature, brilliant, fierce, endlessly compassionate. She believed in Noah’s vision when few others did, and her love and labor are woven into every inch of this place we all cherish.” - Joe Lewis, president NPF

Images:
1. Sue and Noah at the Watts Towers Arts Center, 1960s
2. Some of NPF’s first Board (Sue in red) gather at Noah’s studio in JT, 1998
3. Noah and Sue work on 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘵 catalog manuscript
4. Sue leading an Urban Arts Institute tour at the Outdoor Museum
5. Sue and Joe Lewis at Charlie James Gallery
6. Sue and her grandson Ciarán as Darth Vader

Address

63030 Blair Lane
Joshua Tree, CA
92252

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm
Sunday 9am - 7pm

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