On Thursday, Apr. 25 Bakersfield College’s Wylie & May Jones Gallery held the opening reception for a Rising Scholars exhibition “Voices Through Art.”
The Rising Scholars program is part of Bakersfield College, and it helps incarcerated individuals receive classes and help after they get out. It is a rising scholars’ exhibition, so they were there with a table. They have information about the program and the services they offer. They were also selling T-shirts to raise money.
The opening reception had a good turnout, and the room was buzzing with art talk. Since these artists are incarcerated and are not there to talk about their art like most exhibitions, they set up a table where you can write letters to the incarcerated artist.
Although very little people can see their work, the artists have many of their artwork shown. All the art is part of the art class, they can show from 1 to 6 pieces. Some artworks have names or initials but, on the plaque, the artist goes unnamed.
Professor Joseph Tipay who teaches the class expressed how “Some of the artists have never taken an art class before and suddenly realize they have a talent for art.” All the art is part of the art class they take and what is displayed is a small amount compared to how much they make in the semester class.
While speaking to Professor Tipay directly about the process of his class he explains how it is a beginning art or art appreciation class. Tipay goes alone to the prison to teach the class and brings in his own art, sometimes even a slideshow of his art to give inspiration and instruction on what to do.
Although they have minimal art supplies, they are grateful for what they get. They are limited to art types, so they stick mostly to painting and drawing. They are not allowed to do anything that can involve cutting.
The Exhibition will be up until May 8, Mondays, and Wednesdays from 9:30 – 11 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. They still have the table up to send letters to the inmates if you desire to.