The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

Since its inception, the Tehachapi Arts Commission has had the mission, "to establish Tehachapi as a destination for representational fine artists and collectors," and with their third nationally recognized art show and sale happening in July, they are realizing their goal.

On May 11-14, 48 plein air artists from all over the country will come to Tehachapi to spend several days exploring the town and countryside and begin the paintings that will be submitted for acceptance to Art 2023, the juried art show happening July 21-23 in Tehachapi. The show will take place at the Aspen Builders Community Center. As usual, the VIP Exhibition opening will be held on Friday evening, July 21, when guests can view the chosen paintings and purchase their work. Awards will be presented for Best of Show, Best Landscape, Best Still Life and Best Urban painting. For the second year there will also be an Aerospace Exhibition with both Douglas Castleman and Mark Pestana returning this year. All of the paintings will remain on exhibition July 22-23 with free admission until the end of the public show on Sunday.

Many of the attending artists will be participating for the third year. Junn Roca, who won the 2022 Best Landscape painting will be the 2023 Featured Artist. Roca is a California artist who has a background in animation and has won two Emmys for his work. Also returning will be Charles Muench, who won the 2022 Best of Show with his painting "Bear Mountain Overlook."

Attendees at the Friday gala will be able to stroll the aisles of paintings and speak with the artists, collectors and show sponsors while sampling hors d'oeuvres and drinks from open bars and award-winning wines from Dorner Family Vineyard. Tickets for the event are $125 and are on sale now at Eventbrite.com. Proceeds from the opening gala will be used to fund the casting of a life size bronze sculpture of a female skateboarder to be located at the headquarters of Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District. This will be the first installation in a proposed Art in the Parks series sponsored by the Tehachapi Arts Commission.

The Tehachapi Arts Commission was conceived by sculptor Dwight Dreyer, noted local artist Donald Towns and one-time gallery owner Jim Wilson. The group had originally been part of the 2018 Art of Healing Committee that was responsible for locating and purchasing artwork for the new Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley hospital. They formed the Tehachapi Arts Commission, eventually operating as part of the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council. Dreyer and his wife Laura hoped the Tehachapi event would join other venues like Rankin Ranch and Tejon Ranch, where they had hosted invitational paint outs the last 10 years, as a location that would attract the plein air painters.

Plein air artists gather up their supplies and head out into the countryside to sketch and paint the landscape, allowing them to capture light, its changing qualities and moments in time. The art form is centuries old but became a recognized art form with French Impressionism. The name comes from the French term "en plein air" or in the open air. Events for plein air painters are called "paint outs" and are becoming more and more popular all over the country. This year the artists will be treated to a trip to visit the Oak Creek Wild Horses and a trip to the Milano Ranch as well as choosing their own locations to paint.

Save the date and plan to attend one of the premier west coast art shows right in our town, Art 2023 Tehachapi. Purchase your ticket through Eventbrite for Art 2023 Tehachapi ticket soon.