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Camille Gavin: Artists unleash 'Monsters'

The Bakersfield Californian | Wednesday, Oct 14 2009 04:09 PM

Last Updated Wednesday, Oct 14 2009 04:09 PM

As a way of celebrating the Halloween season, the subject matter for an exhibit by young artists from the Kern Regional Center at The Empty Space was supposed to be monsters. But after viewing their work at the opening Saturday, I can see that a few chose to step outside the mold. And good for them I say. Doing your own thing is what creativity is all about.

Kayley Donovan, for example, titled her restful painting, "Water." And that's exactly what it is, carefully applied layers of acrylic paint in shades of blue, green and aqua.

In her artist's statement, Kayley said:

"Keeping color separate is very important to me in my art. Monsters are not my favorite but this has been a nice project to show nicer monsters."

Another artist, Keith Mahan, who has two colorful pieces in the show, likes to blend colors, said his mother, Rebecca Mahan. One is called "Northern Lights," the other, "Monster Flag."

"When I first thought about this project I thought it would be like 'Monsters vs Aliens' but instead we got to make up our own monsters and things," Keith said.

On the other hand, Max Skeinick was very much into the theme with "Monster with Two Faces," which shows what looks like radio waves dancing around a scary central figure.

The project was jointly sponsored by Spotlight School of Arts and Kern Regional Center, said Guinevere PH Dethlefson, director of the school who is also active at the Empty. It features "raw art" or "rough art" terms used to describe an art form done by artists with disabilities.

"We took some time off from theater this summer to do these," she said. "With theater, everything has to be so perfect; with (visual) art you can do anything you want and it's OK."

The exhibit can be seen 30 minutes before the curtain opens on the Empty's current show, ""How I learned to Drive," a play by Paula Vogel that deals with incest and sexual abuse. Kimber Peaker-Lozano directs. The cast includes Joe Cannon, Amy Hall, Elizabeth Reichelt, David Lee Rock, and Julie Jordan Scott.

Comedy at Stars

Mark Price, director of "Arsenic and Old Lace,' now playing at Stars, says he's sticking to the traditional script for this time-honored comedy about two elderly women who have murderous tendencies.

"The only thing that's different is everybody is a little daffier than in the original and I've tightened it up some to make it shorter," he said. "I have a gaggle of actors with a hodge-podge of terrific talent and over 300 years of combined theatrical experience."

Here's how Price describes his cast: Virginia Lennemann and Jackie Hicks play the loony aunties who poison lonely old men. Paul McAdam is the Teddy Roosevelt wannabe who yells "Charge!" every time he goes up the staircase. Brent Rochon is the frustrated theater critic; Kathleen Siciliani portrays the not-so-innocent preacher's daughter; and playing the sneaky evil pair are Jon C. Johannsen and Mark Prow.

Those in the supporting roles are Randy Jelmini, Richard K. Newman III, Ron Fox, and Jason McClain.

KC Fair winners

Each piece of artwork that won a ribbon -- ranging from grand prize to honorable mention -- at this year's Kern County Fair is on display now at the Bakersfield Art Association Gallery of Art.

"It's not just Art Association members," said Ann Sullivan, a gallery volunteer. "It's everybody, professional and amateur."

About 25 artists won ribbons and Sullivan said those she's spoken to are thrilled at having their work displayed a second time. The artists will be honored at a free reception at the gallery on Friday.

Job change for Robinson

Last Saturday at The Empty Space I ran into Thomas G. Robinson, a fine actor who's been active in the local theater community for the past several years.

Robinson, who was sporting a spiffy brown Fedora, tells me he's got two new jobs -- one is strictly volunteer, the other a paid position in a field similar to the one he left.

Specifically, he's the new marketing director for the Empty -- that, as you may have guessed, is the non-paying job. As for the salaried position, Robinson is now business development representative for Russo's Books, an independent book store at The Marketplace. He formerly was customer relations manager for Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

Poetry reading

Writers -- and readers -- are welcome to attend the "Poetry Jam" this evening at Mama Hillybean's Café in Tehachapi.

"You can bring your best original poem or read one of your favorite classics," said Anthony McDemas, spokesman for the "Writers' Workshop," sponsor of the event.

The group meets weekly on Tuesdays at the restaurant.

Tom Lynch will host the show and a microphone will be available.

Camille Gavin's "Arts Alive" column appears on Thursday. Write to her via e-mail at gavinarts@aol.com