Beat the heat at the Bakersfield Museum of Art

Bakersfield Museum of Art (Courtesy of Google Images)

The Bakersfield Museum of Art has been around since 1956 but was re-established in 1990. The museum is widely known and is a great place to go to beat the heat. With all the hot weather in Bakersfield, the indoor museum is a great escape and a great place to appreciate different works of art with cultural diversity. It is not only inspirational but also educational and has four primary exhibitions with emphasis on cultural diversity. Admission varies with age and prices are as follows: Members get in for free, adults get in for $5.00, seniors above the age of 65 get in for $4.00, and students get in for $2.00.  Unfortunately, child prices are not listed.

The Bakersfield Museum of Art also offers different art education programs, workshops, and tours dedicated to children and adults. Furthermore, they also offer to bring the museum to any class room with a program named Museum on the Move, specifically for students. This is where a museum instructor will bring an educational presentation that informs students of artists and significant art movements. They also offer a program named Art Smart that takes fine arts to culturally isolated districts in Kern County.

Members of the museum are able to host several different activities, receive discounts on merchandise, get invitations to special events and are able to attend all workshops. Volunteers are always welcome and have the access to be behind the scenes of exhibitions and  are also able to meet artists. It is open Tuesday through Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday through Sunday 12pm-4pm. It is located at 1930 R Street. Bakersfield, Ca 93301 and contact information can be found at bmoa.org.

Hand woven baskets bring culture to Brimhall Farmers Market

Photo of Carrie Sandles selling the baskets she buys from South African women.

On my recent trip to the Brimhall Farmers Market I interviewed a woman who sells hand woven baskets made in South Africa.

Bakersfield Museum of Art Spring 2013 Exhibitions are Intoxicating

BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART PRESENTS SPRING 2013 EXHIBITIONS

Bakersfield Museum of Art Presents WINESCAPES Thursday May 2, 2013

Spring Exhibitions are from March 28, 2013 to June 9th, 2013. For more information go to http://www.bmoa.org.

Come one come all to the Winescapes–A taste of Bakersfield Museum of Art on May 2, 2013, “for wine tasting, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a special auction of original wine-themed art and much more…”

Scott Johnson, 63, born and raised in Bakersfield, is a member of the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Johnson’s Rotary Club “meets here once a week,” said Johnson and he tells all of his friends what exhibits are in town. They are looking forward to Winescapes and other exhibits.

Vacancy: Paintings by Matt Condron

 

90 DEGREES IN THE SHADE-Oil on canvas by Matt Condron

When does a painting look like a photograph? When Matt Condron paints it. Curatorial assistant, Rachel Magnus, 28, California State University, Bakersfield Art/History 2012 graduate, is a docent at the museum and has met artist Condron.

“I think it is fascinating that you can mentally place yourself in the chairs and bring yourself back into ‘a memory’. Matt’s paintings are relatable to everyone.” said Magnus. “Matt has no formal painting or drawing training–he studied photography. By painting empty locations of distinct time periods, the subject becomes viewer and their response to the work. You are the subject looking into these spaces, taking in the experience. Why Chairs? Because according to Condron, they ‘symbolize humans,'” said Magnus. Nostalgia and solitude are abundant in this wonderful exhibit. “Matt Condron has painted unoccupied objects with reverence for his subject and astonishing technical prowess. His painstakingly rendered images of vacant chairs invite the viewers to share a moment of quiet with him.” (Bakersfield Museum of Art)

Condron currently lives and works in Portland, OR. but has a website for more information: www.mattcondron.com or

For more information contact www.bmoa.org