Word is out, as you may have heard by now, "First Friday" at Gallery 'n' Gifts for July will be "First Saturday" on July 5.

Barbecues, tailgate parties and fireworks displays are going to take precedence on July 4, as well they should, as our Country celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, signed 238 years ago.

Saturday a house full of company awakens looking for the festivities to continue. Although hard to follow an act like the 4th of July, Gallery 'n' Gifts will be open First Saturday, from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring new artist, Sherrill Hoepner.

Hoepner, a self-taught artist, began painting in the late 60s, when her husband brought home a starter set of oil paints. After her husband passed away in 1974 she decided to take an art class at the local community college. She said watercolor was of interest to her for a number of years. In 2009 she began Monday morning watercolor classes. Her instructor put a couple of her fowl watercolors in her gallery and they sold. After doing watercolors for over two years, Hoepner decided to enter a painting in the San Bernardino Co. Fair. Having sold two of her paintings she could not enter as a "novice" but had to enter the "professional" division; daunting to say the least. Winning a ribbon in the professional category was all the encouragement she needed, as she entered other paintings and continue to take ribbons.

Hoepner prefers working a variety of subject matter and enjoys experimenting with color, texture and methodology, as shown in her work.

She began studying ceramics in 2008 and enjoys using her own unique style, while creating pieces out of recycled clay. She says her visionary creativity is expressed in her use of color and shapes. To her credit Hoepner has accumulated a sizable collection of ribbons for her ceramic work, also.

Pack up your friends and family on Saturday, July 5, and come Downtown to enjoy the evening. The feature artist reception will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at Gallery 'n' Gifts, located at 100 W. Tehachapi Blvd., Tehachapi, CA.

Delicious goodies will be provided for everyone.