“On Earth to Stay,” an exhibit featuring the collections and creations of artist David Salk and the photographs and writings of George Wharton James, will debut Friday at the La Quinta Museum.

The exhibit will be on display through Dec. 12.

It's a first-ever collaboration of the La Quinta Arts Foundation, La Quinta Museum and the La Quinta Historical Society, and will kick off with an evening reception featuring Southern California Bird Singers performing traditional songs of the Desert Cahuilla people.

Salk, who will exhibit his extensive collection of Native American basketry and artifacts as well as his contemporary ceramic interpretations of American Indian baskets, will be in attendance at the opening, as will Coachella Valley resident Dennis Wharton James, great- grandson of George Wharton James.

“It's a unique exhibit in that you can learn both about the history of the Cahuillas and their basketry and art and how those baskets have inspired modern day artists,” said La Quinta Museum manager Johanna Wickman.

“So people who are looking for an art exhibit can come as well as people looking at it for more of the historic aspect.”

A native of Palm Springs, Salk, who now lives in Idyllwild, preserves the intricate work of American Indian women of the late 1800s and early 1900s by replicating antique basket designs in high-fire clay.

“Being a potter, I realized I could create the forms of Indian basketry,” Salk said. “This was a chance to try something really challenging and unique.”

He said the challenge is re-creating the baskets in clay — without the use of glaze — which makes for a more authentic look.

Salk said he became enamored with American Indian basketry in 1985 and has been a student of its history ever since.

“After years of travel to different reservations around the southwest, I just felt such compassion and appreciation for Native American culture and Native American arts,” Salk said. “For me, it's so real.”

Salk is a nephew of the late Jonas Salk, the medical researcher and virologist best known for developing the first successful vaccine for polio.

“All three of Jonas' sons are going to be coming on Friday,” Salk said.

Also on display at the exhibit will be photographs and writings of George Wharton James.

“James was a prolific lecturer and journalist, writing more than 40 books and many articles and pamphlets on California and the American Southwest,” said La Quinta Arts Foundation executive director Christi Salamone.

Some of James' books and articles include “Indian Basketry” (1902), “In and Out of the Old Missions of California — A Historical and Pictorial Account of the Franciscan Missions” (1905) and “The Wonders of the Colorado Desert” (1906).

James' research writings were often accompanied by photographs he took of the subjects of his stories. He amassed a photo slide collection of more than 10,000 images.

Linda Williams, president of the La Quinta Historical Society, said James' pictures — which feature American Indian baskets and artwork — are a great complement to Salk's collection and creations as well as the museum's Native American basket collection.

James is now a part of the museum's permanent collection, thanks to a recent acquisition by the historical society.

“We got the opportunity to purchase the prints for the museum collection,” Williams said.

She said the historical society purchased more than a dozen of James' photos.