After three sweaty years creating a safe space for artists to freefall into the depths of their creativity, we invite you to our inaugural LIKE A VIRGIN fundraising movement. Creativity needs room to breathe, space to play, and freedom to take risks. Your support gives artists all three.
– Ryan Heffington, Founder and Artistic Director

TWO WAYS TO GET CLOSE

Crowdfunding Campaign. Give online here. Going big? For gifts of $5,000 or more, write to aryn kresol at aryn@desertrade.com. Giving directly means no platform fees, so more of your gift goes to the work.

Artist Auction. Bidding opens November 15 and closes December 6, with work by Pol Agustí, Math Bass, John Brooks, Lily Kwong, Ben Medansky, Laura Rule, Ryan Schneider, and Elena Stonaker. Register to bid.

GIVING LEVELS – You Give. We Give.

$50: LET THE MUSIC PLAY

CURATED PLAYLIST BY MR. HEFFINGTON

$100: POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE
Everything above, plus:

THREE 5X7 POSTCARDS BY RYAN HEFFINGTON

$250: SMELLS LIKE DESERT SPIRIT
Everything above, plus:

DESERTRADE SCENT FIRST EDITION

$500: RHYTHM IS A DANCER
Everything above, plus:

STREAMING SWEATFEST CLASS WITH MR. HEFFINGTON

$1,000: BOB ROSS
Everything above, plus:

A LIMITED EDITION PRINT BY RYAN HEFFINGTON

$2,500: HURTS SO GOOD
Everything above, plus:

PIERCING FOR GRANDPA EUCALYPTUS TREE

$5,000: SUPERMODEL WERK
Everything above, plus:

DESERTRADE LIMITED EDITION MAGAZINE VOL. 2

$10,000: GLORY HOLE
Everything above, plus:

YOUR SIGNATURE INSCRIBED ON OUR GLORY HOLE SCULPTURE

$25,000: SHHHHH IT’S A SECRET
Everything above, plus a secret that’s only for this level:

CURIOUS HANDMADE PIECE BY RYAN HEFFINGTON

$50,000: MI CASA ES TU CASA
Everything above, plus a stay that’s only for this level:

3 NIGHT STAY AT DESERTRADE HEADQUARTERS

$75,000: LANDLADY
Everything above, plus:

YOUR SIGNATURE INSCRIBED ON ONE OF OUR BUNGALOWS (3YRS)
UP TO 5 NIGHT STAY AT DESERTRADE HEADQUARTERS

Anticipation is half the pleasure. Most perks will come to life by the end of February 2027. Many are handmade—all are worth the wait.

DESERTRADE is a residency that welcomes choreographers, dance-makers and their collaborators to develop new ideas, deepen their process, and bring emerging works to life. Our goal is to support the development of healthier humans within a dignified culture through residencies, workshops, lectures, concerts, and performances. We believe that through art, education and support, we can create a more inclusive and conscious world.

A creative watering hole for artists and trailblazers located in the Hi Desert. A nest. A think tank. A time capsule. A container for healing. A design hub. ——— A North Star.
– Charissa Kroeger, 2024 Artist in Residence

DESERTRADE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization hosted by AHA projects.

DESERTRADE: LIKE A VIRGIN

A FUNDRAISING MOVEMENT