Public ArtPalm Desert
Walks Among the Stars — Dave McGary
Discover Dave McGary’s Walks Among the Stars in Palm Desert, with original photographs of the painted bronze figure, star quilt and identifying plaque.
At a glance
- Artist
- Dave McGary
- Year
- 2006
- Material
- Bronze, patina & paint
- Edition
- 2/9
- Location
- Faye Sarkowsky Garden
A closer look at Dave McGary’s painted bronze sculpture in Palm Desert, with original photographs of the figure, star quilt and identifying plaque.
- Artist: Dave McGary (1958–2013).
- Work: Walks Among the Stars, dated 2006 on the garden’s plaque.
- Material: Bronze with patina and paint; edition 2/9.
- Where to see it: Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden, Palm Desert.
Look closely: the face, clothing and quilt
From the garden path, Walks Among the Stars reads as a figure holding a large textile. Mark Miller’s September 22, 2026 photographs reward a closer look. The face is carefully modeled, the clothing carries painted detail, and the fringe and folds give the bronze a fabric-like appearance.
The three artwork photographs show different aspects of the same sculpture. The close view concentrates on the face and upper clothing. The wider photograph places the figure among cacti, trees and the garden path. The quilt view reveals the large star pattern and the way its folded surface catches the light.
When you visit, look from more than one position along the path. The draped forms overlap differently as your viewpoint changes, and the star-patterned quilt becomes easier to understand from the angle that faces it.
What the identifying plaque tells us
The on-site plaque photographed by Mark identifies the sculptor as Dave McGary and dates this work to 2006. It specifies bronze with patina and paint, edition 2/9, and records a gift from Lisa and Jack McLaine. The museum’s garden map independently lists the work and places it at sculpture marker 8.
These details refer to the example installed in Palm Desert. Other casts or sizes of a work with the same title may appear elsewhere; their dates, edition numbers and dimensions should not be substituted for this sculpture’s label.
The star quilt
A Scottsdale Art Auction description of another cast identifies the subject as a Lakota woman displaying an heirloom star quilt. That offers context for the imagery; the exact specifications of the Palm Desert example come from its own plaque.
In Mark’s quilt photograph, the alternating light and dark star shapes are a strong visual feature. The sculpture brings together the appearance of a soft, folded textile and the lasting physical form of bronze. Spend a moment comparing the quilt’s broad pattern with the smaller details on the figure’s clothing.
See it at Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden
This work is part of the Palm Desert garden associated with Palm Springs Art Museum. The museum lists free garden admission and daily hours from sunrise to sunset. Our complete Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden guide includes the surrounding landscape, other photographed works and visit-planning links.
Use the museum’s self-guided map to find marker 8, then confirm the work using its label. This page documents an artwork on public view; it is not an offer to sell the sculpture.
Frequently asked questions
Who made Walks Among the Stars?
Dave McGary, the American sculptor identified on the garden’s plaque.
Is it bronze even though it is colorful?
Yes. The label specifies bronze with patina and paint. The surface color is part of the work’s appearance.
Where is the sculpture in Palm Desert?
At Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden. It is marked as number 8 on the museum’s downloadable garden map.
What year and edition is the garden’s sculpture?
The plaque records 2006 and edition 2/9. Those details describe the example photographed here.
Does it cost anything to visit?
The museum currently lists free admission to the garden, open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Explore the setting
Return to the garden guide or browse the Palm Desert collection for more places to explore.
Original photographs by Mark Miller, September 22, 2026: full figure, face and clothing detail, star quilt, and identification plaque.
Sources and artwork identification
- On-site Dave McGary plaque photographed by Mark Miller on September 22, 2026, reproduced in the gallery.
- Palm Springs Art Museum — official visitor information
- Official sculpture map — McGary artwork at marker 8
- Scottsdale Art Auction — subject description for another cast; not the specifications of the Palm Desert example
Visitor information checked September 22, 2026.
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