BOXING & ART COLLIDE IN PALM SPRINGS!

Trainer & Sculptor at 2013 Indian Wells Art Fest

In a powerful one-two punch combo boxing trainer and sculptor Steve Harpst scored a KO at the 2013 Indian Wells Arts Festival held this past weekend in the Palm Springs area. It was the “Art of Boxing” come to life.

The former amateur fighter, current boxing coach and award-winning artist was honored to be accepted in this storied art show held at the famed Tennis Garden where some of the best of the best showcased their one-of-a-kind wares in this spacious outdoor setting.

This exhibit was the very first time Harpst displayed in the desert region and many from the boxing circuit came out to meet him and lend support. He featured his full line of boxing bronzes including “The Prizefighter,” “The Slugger,” “Knockout Cancer” and more, among other statues portraying baseball and tennis athletes.

During the three-day showing, some familiar faces coming out to visit were Southland boxing promoter and California Hall of Famer Ken Thompson (Thompson Boxing Promotions) who hosts monthly shows at the Ontario Doubletree and Omega Products International. His next show boxing show will be April 26 in Ontario. Thompson was a past President of the World Boxing Hall of Fame and currently boasts a full stable of champions including Josesito Lopez, Juan Carlos Burgos, Mauricio Herrera, Jonathan Romero and many more. Kenny and Steve have known each other for over a decade through the fight game.

While at the show, Thompson also met female fighter and filmmaker Jill Morley (“Fight Like a Girl”). The spunky redhead was celebrating her own milestone weekend with the world premiere of her new documentary “Fight Like a Girl,” which delves into showing how women overcome their personal demons through boxing while also empowering themselves through the sport. Morley (who now teaches young girls to box) came to meet fellow trainer Harpst, who has founded his own boxing club.

With Morley flexing her “guns,” the female boxer had no problem lifting the super-heavy bronze statues for photo ops. Jill and her husband Gary Lai (a Muay Thai fighter) are both involved in combat sports and the couple related to the prizefighters depicted in Steve’s work. I had a fantastic time chatting with Jill and Gary, who are both positive advocates of boxing.

Also checking out the art exhibit were fight veteran and author Don Crutchfield (“Confessions of a Hollywood P.I.”), Robin Lennon Thompson (sister of legendary ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr.), musician Jeanie Cunningham (who toured with Lionel Richie, David Crosby, Tina Turner), Newark, New Jersey amateur champ Norman Engle, and business exec Henry Wozow, who had 168 amateur fights and 11 pro bouts under his belt.

The booth visitors had a good time talkin’ boxing with Harpst and reminiscing about the golden eras of the sweet science. Henry Wozow fought in the ’60s-’70s and still has an appreciation of the sport. After his pro fights, he went on to build his own business empire but has never lost his passion for boxing. One of Harpst’s eye-catching pieces is of Jack Johnson and many of the boxing fans wanted to discuss the history of boxing.

There was also a lively group of “knockouts” Steve met at the weekend bash–a KO team of performers from the Desert Mirage High School in nearby Thermal. The teen Aztec Sundancers showed their best moves right by Harpst’s booth location.

In this first-ever showing for him in Palm Springs, the boxing coach/sculptor also worked on clay, putting the finishing touches on his brand new piece entitled “Vanquished,” which portrays a fallen fighter ready to get back up to beat the count. Happy to combine his loyalty of boxing with his love of art, Harpst was honored to participate in this 2013 Indian Wells Arts Fest where over 200 renowned artists set up shop on the sprawling grounds of the multi-million dollar tennis venue. The annual gathering is produced by Dianne Funk and Steve gives props to the show runner and her MVP team of workers and volunteers who made this show a real KO event.

And Steve said he is very honored to also have the support of those in boxing. He had family and friends both locally and from the West and East coasts, all coming out to see his exhibit as well as his esteemed colleagues from the boxing world.

“I really appreciate the great response I had at this show,” Harpst said during a break in the action. “It’s fun to meet everyone in person and to see their reaction to the bronzes. This has been such a memorable weekend–thank you to all who came to visit us!”

Photos courtesy of Michele Chong