The Bakersfield Museum of Art may be difficult to find considering the renovation of Central Park taking place around it.
However, once inside, one is immediately welcomed by the sophisticated atmosphere and soft glow of lights reflected against several eye-catching works of art on display. Exhibits are displayed quarterly, the latest of which began Sept. 11, and will be available for the public to view until Nov. 23.?
The exhibit begins with “You See: the Early Years of the UC Davis Art Department. A presentation featuring the works of five very respected artists who taught at UC Davis between 1960 to 1965.”
“The collection is valued at about 3 million dollars,” said Beth Pandol, marketing director of the museum. “Their work was groundbreaking at the time.”
Further into the gallery, one will find the works of Santa Barbara artist Dorothy Churchill-Johnson. “It’s almost like an artist on steroids” are the words Pandol used to describe the large-scale and brightly colored paintings of Churchill-Johnson’s California-themed plant life.
Also on display is the personal art collection of Kern County residents George and Marcia Giumarra.?
This is a labor- and leisure-themed exhibit featuring several artists who were members of the California Watercolor Society, which was a movement that took place in the 1920s.
Finally, and most notably on display, are the works of 19 local Kern County artists in the Eye Gallery, which began only last year. The works are an array of everyday life in Bakersfield from a painting of the Padre Hotel to an A-Z grid of things unique to this community.
The Bakersfield Museum of Art is the only accredited art museum in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. It is located at 1930 R Street next to Central Park.
Hours and admission fees are available on their website at www.bmoa.org.
Innovative work on display at the Bakersfield Museum of Art
September 23, 2008
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