Artists' works speak of home

imageskern062: Artists' works speak of home
This colorful rendition of the Beale Memorial Clock Tower catches the attention of exhibit visitor Barbara Wilson.
Sometimes the lure of seeing how people live in another state or country draws the curious to visit areas far flung from Kern County. There is another school of thought that because we live in the county maybe we are too close to realize how much we haven't seen here. Subscribers to that theory and those that just admire art and photography will appreciate "Images of Kern: Invitational Exhibit 2006" which is on display through March 12 at the Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Avenue in Bakersfield.

The exhibit, which celebrates the works of local artists, went on display Jan. 19. Museum Director Carola Enriquez came up with the concept as "a wonderful opportunity to showcase Kern County through art." She contacted the Bakersfield Art Association to partner in creating the exhibit, which it did. Charlotte White of the association played a big part in getting Kern's talented artists and photographers to participate. Along the way, the Arts Council of Kern agreed to be a partner. "Yellow Book" provided major sponsorship for the exhibit.

Images of Kern has turned out to be, as Assistant Director Jeff Nickell describes it, "a wonderful mix of oil on canvas, watercolors and photography." It also became a competition. Several of the artists were rewarded for their efforts at the Jan. 19 opening reception. A colorful smattering of ribbons can be seen beside winning entries throughout the main gallery.

As one enters the gallery, you are struck by the raw, sometimes harshly, spectacular beauty of Kern County as depicted in two winning entries that hang with their blue ribbons on the wall in front of you. Beverly Carrick's "West Kern" depicts an almost pastoral setting with sheep, golden meadow and meandering stream contrasted against imposing mountains and mildly-threatening clouds. Hanging beside it is Kevin Thompson's "Stability." Thompson's camera captured the stark reality of bare, boulder-strewn mountains and a weathered barn that looks as though it has taken every beating nature has dealt but defiantly remains standing. Thompson earned the first place ribbon for photography and Carrick was the winner in the painting division.

One Kern County resident, Barbara Wilson, who took in the exhibit during the first week, was pleasantly surprised by the sights local artists had rendered in their works.

"I do like art, but I don't get to see too much of it locally," Wilson said. "One of my favorite areas to visit for art is the coast, particularly Cambria. But, these works are amazing. They are far superior to what I have seen on the coast."

Alex White, a native of Kern living in Arkansas, was home visiting when family suggested dropping by the museum to see the exhibit.

"I've enjoyed art ever since I won a second place ribbon as a kid at the Kern County Fair Children's Art Display," White said. "I still have that ribbon. I know how hard it was for me to earn it and how much work these artists have put into these fantastic pictures on display."

Some other art work that will draw attention are two paintings by Kevin Hardin. His second place "View from the Bluffs" features bright earth tones to showcase the Kern River flowing by shadow-shrouded hilltops. Hardin's "Bridge at Central Park" resembles a scenic painting from 18th Century Europe, with his use of large, colorful swatches. Chuck Murray's second place photography entry, "House on Old River," gives off the foreboding feel of the Bates Motel on a rainy night with an old, abandoned Victorian-style, two story home cast against a turbulent sky.

And there is plenty more to see through March 12 at the Kern County Museum. Contact the museum at 852-5000 or visit the Web site, http://www.kcmuseum.org.


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