Art lovers gather for First Friday

Art abounds downtown for First Friday.

The Bakersfield Art Association will host a group art show featuring horses at its art center.

Each month, the center features a show, often a solo artist. If one is not ready to display, the association expands its reach for a group show, allowing contributions from multiple creators. Past group shows have been themed around sunsets, the Kern River and plein air creations.

For May, the group show is titled “Horsing Around.” The idea began with artist Lisa Faulkenberry, whose work in a variety of mediums has paid tribute to her love for nature and its awe-inspiring beauty.

Other artists heard of the theme and came on board including Kellie Haskell, who grew up in the mountains around Lake Isabella. At an early age she was inspired by her older brother, whom she describes as “the best natural artist I have ever seen, to this day.”

Pursuing art as a teen, Haskell put it aside for her career and family, returning to create when she took on a caregiver role with her mother-in-law.

“Animals have always been my passion and I finally found the medium that has let me present them in a way that I truly love,” she wrote in an artist’s statement.

Fellow show artist Chrissy Rogers has always had horses in her life.

In 2008, she and her husband began breeding and raising horses for competition, allowing her a closer study. She began painting in 2019 and, not surprisingly, horses became her favorite subject. She said she is drawn in by “their powerful movements and expressive stillness.”

Other artists featured in the show include Jim Bates, Stella Mullins, Charlotte White and Anthony Zimmerli. Works feature horses in various locations, positions and activities as well as one painting of donkeys. A reception will be held for the show from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center, 1607 19th St. Refreshments will be served.

There will also be a virtual show on the Bakersfield Art Association’s website (bakersfieldartassociation.org), Facebook (facebook.com/BAAartists) and Instagram (@bakersfieldartassociation) pages.

Over at Dagny’s Coffee Co. (1600 20th St.), which is one of BAA’s satellite art locations, John Oxford is the featured artist.

The Taft native has enjoyed art from an early age. In third grade, he had a “huge” accomplishment in art when his piece “Flowers Singing in the Rain” received third place in a local art contest.

Work and family took precedence in Oxford’s life until about 10 years ago when his wife, Heidi, gave him some soft pastels, which he found suited his abilities. He began to work on his art and learned more and more about how to create pastel art.

Most of Oxford’s artwork centers on “trying to show the beauty of nature” including unique and beautiful skies.

The fun continues farther east at ArtWalk at the Brickyard Downtown (1020 18th St.).

Artist Alberto Herrera will take part as well as Common Ground artist Lori Myers, who will help attendees create their own beaded jewelry piece under her direction.

Festivities include vendors offering creative options for Mother’s Day gifts as well as food trucks.

The Arts Council of Kern, which organizes the ArtWalk, will celebrate its move to the Brickyard by selling tickets for its June 8 fundraiser, A Night in Provence Par Deux.

This jubilant celebration of art, culture and community will include an auction of hand-painted umbrellas created by local artists as well as French music, delectable cuisine and entertainment reminiscent of the south of France, including dancers and other performances.

Tickets are $85 per person, available at the Brickyard. Sponsorships, starting at $500, are also available.

The ArtWalk will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Brickyard.

Visit kernarts.org/artwalk or @artscouncilofkern on Instagram for more information.

No First Friday is complete without a stop at the Bakersfield Museum of Art (1930 R St.), which offers free admission along with extended hours (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

Currently on display are the exhibitions “Modern Women | Modern Vision: Photographs from the Bank of America Collection,” a display of 101 photos from 1905 to 2015 that includes work from some of the most famous female photographers including Diane Arbus, Dorothea Lange, Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger, Berenice Abbott and Imogen Cunningham; “Form of Influence by David Ligare,” a collection of realist landscape paintings and studies inspired by travels to Florence, Italy, and the California coast; “Rochelle Botello: Free Fall,” vibrant three-dimensional works made of wood, duct tape and paper and ink-and-acrylic designs; and “Dynamic, Surreal, Vibrant: Marion Osborn Cunningham,” featuring the works of the museum’s namesake.

Also on display is work that was part of the ARTMIX fundraiser on April 25. More than 70 artists have work on display including David Gordon, Reema Hammad, Larry Jason, Emily Waite, Danny Holt, Sydney Sanchez, Margarita Pimienta, Marshall Sharp, Keaton Punch, Emily Hay, Garry Guinn, Curtis Cargill and Chelsea Geronimo.

Visit bmoa.org for more information.