Before local sculptor Dwight Dreyer could begin the design for the life-size bronze statue of a skateboarder that will be placed at the new Ollie Mountain Sports Park, he needed a model. After some consideration, he chose 9-year-old Jane Scrivner. "Scrivner was thrilled to learn she had been chosen," said Dreyer, "especially when she received a modeling certificate and $20. You would have thought it was $1,000."

The bronze statue at the Sports Park will be the first of a series of bronzes called Art in the Parks that the Tehachapi Arts Commission plans to place in each of parks operated by the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District. Dreyer is donating his time for the project. Costs for the casting of the first statue will be covered by the proceeds from the VIP Reception for the Art 2022 exhibition to be held at Aspen Builders Community Center on July 22.

Art 2022 will kick off May 13-15 with a paint out where artists from all over the country and Tehachapi will spend a few days committing our beautiful countryside to canvas. The finished work will be juried into the free public show July 23-24. Sponsorship opportunities are available and anyone interested in helping to sponsor this event should contact Laura at (626) 945-3753 or email dreyerfinearts@gmail.com.

The Tehachapi Arts Commission is part of the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council with a mission to establish Tehachapi, Calif. as a destination for representational fine artists and collectors.