Native Californian, Laura Wambsgans, will be returning to Tehachapi for Art 2023 after being part of the first two shows. Wambsgans began landscape oil painting 19 years ago, after working as the managing director of a major recording studio and then as a sculptor for two decades. Her last sculpture, "Serenity," was purchased by a Tehachapi mortgage broker and ultimately donated to Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley where it can be can be viewed today in the cafeteria garden.

When Wambsgans turned to landscape painting, "Serenity" remained unfinished. She credits Tehachapi sculptor Dwight Dreyer with the inspiration and drive to work in marble again and finish the piece. At that time Dreyer was part of the "Art of Healing Committee" at Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley. When the Tehachapi Arts Commission was formed following the completion of the hospital mission, Laura Wambsgans became a member of the advisory committee and has been part of the planning for every show thus far.

She studied intensely with Scott Christensen and other well-respected landscape painters and began painting daily. Wambsgans strives to capture the effect of light on the land, through color and paint quality.

Wambsgans' work has been exhibited nationally in solo and group exhibitions, including the Riverside Museum, Bakersfield Museum, Lancaster Museum, Ventura Museum and the Huntington Library and has participated in many national plein air events since 1986.

In 2006 Wambsgans spearheaded "Chasing Open Spaces," an environmental project involving painting the open spaces of the Santa Clarita Valley. Exhibits generated by this project have been instrumental in preserving Elsmere Canyon in Santa Clarita, California.

Wambsgans has been an active member of the California Art Club since 2002 as well as Oil Painters of America. She is a founding member of the PAC6 Painters.

You can visit with Laura Wambsgans at the opening VIP Reception for Art 2023 on July 21 at the Aspen Builders Community Center, located at 410 W. D St., in Tehachapi. Tickets for this event are $125 and currently available on http://www.Eventbrite.com. Guests at the opening event will be able to meet all the artists, stroll the aisles, view the paintings and possibly purchase a work of art while enjoying hors d'oeuvres, drinks from open bars and award-winning wines from Dorner Family Vineyard. During the evening, awards will be presented for Best of Show, Best Landscape, Best Urban Painting and Best Still Life. Not to be missed will be an Aerospace Exhibition with both Douglas Castleman and Mark Pestana returning to show their work. Also returning in 2023 is Charles Muench, winner of last year's Best of Show "Bear Mountain Overlook."

Save the date. Purchase your ticket on http://www.Eventbrite.com and enjoy the show on July 21.