MEDIA CONTACT: Bakersfield Museum of Art Matt Munoz 661-‐323-‐7219 ext. 105 mmunoz@bmoa.org
BAKERSFIELD MUSEUM OF ART PRESENTS 2015 SUMMER EXHIBITIONS BAKERSFIELD, CA (April 23, 2015) -‐ The Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMOA) is pleased to announce the opening of its summer exhibitions on display May 7. Exhibitions run through August 23, 2015. Online: bmoa.org/summer-‐exhibits OPENING RECEPTION Please join us on Thursday May 7, 2015 from 7 – 9p.m., for an opening reception with the artists. Fine wines by Valentien Restaurant & Wine Bar. Admission is free to members, $10 non-‐members, $5 for students with campus ID. MITCHELL JOHNSON: COLOR AS CONTENT – A 25 YEAR SURVEY (DEZEMBER / CUNNINGHAM GALLERIES) Since his move to San Francisco from New York in 1990, Mitchell Johnson has divided his time between his studio in Palo Alto and his favorite painting locations in Italy, France, and Denmark. For nearly 30 years, Johnson’s work has moved freely between abstraction and representation. Although his efforts show a distinct influence of the Bay Area Figurative Movement, his concerns for color relationships and his regular travels to Europe have established his individual voice. This exhibition will feature a collection of paintings from the past 25 years and will open with a 288-‐page monograph. RAY TURNER: POPULATION (ABLIN GALLERY) Population is a unique and expanding series of portraits that celebrates a cross-‐section of people from across the country – including our own community. Portraits of over 50 Bakersfield residents, including Msgr. Craig Harrison, Red Simpson, and Mayor Harvey Hall will be on display in a large-‐scale installation and intermixed with selected paintings from Turner’s ongoing series. Executed with oil paint on 12x12-‐ inch glass, Turner’s textural paintings are fluid, much like notions of identity. Interpretive rather than purely representational, they emphasize elements such as color, value and composition, and reveal the inner essence and character of his subjects. VISUAL ARTS SMALL WORKS FESTIVAL: CALIFORNIANS AT PLAY (CHEVRON GALLERY) The 2015 Visual Arts Small Works Exhibition offered a unique opportunity for artists to enter up to three pieces of artwork to be considered for inclusion in this statewide competition. Conducted earlier this year, participating artists were allowed to create artwork in any medium, measuring 10 x 10 inches, while using the theme: Californians at Play. Andi Campognone, Curator of the Museum of Art & History in Lancaster, CA, selected the exhibition works and awarded prizes to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. SURFACING: WORKS BY BMOA'S 2015 ARTWORKS STUDENTS (HARVEY & LAVONNE HALL) ArtWorks is a special program for high school juniors and seniors who have a strong interest in the visual arts. The semester-‐long program consists of eight meetings focusing on developing and enhancing artistic skills while providing a broad spectrum of hands-‐on visual arts enrichment activities with our instructors. BMOA is excited to have works by this year’s students on display this summer.
**BMOA staff members are available for interviews. Images from all exhibitions also available upon request by contacting: Matt Munoz, BMOA Director of Marketing, mmunoz@bmoa.org Rachel Magnus, BMOA Curatorial Assistant, rmagnus@bmoa.org Catherine Kuuskraa, BMOA Assistant Director/Director of Development, ckuuskraa@bmoa.org Bakersfield Museum of Art 1930 R Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 (661) 323-‐7219 www.bmoa.org About BMOA The Bakersfield Museum of Art strives to enhance the quality of life through art appreciation and educational opportunities in the visual arts for Bakersfield and Kern County residents and visitors. In its 59-‐year history, BMOA is among the most distinguished art museums in California, providing a broad spectrum of creative visual arts experiences through the exhibition and preservation of fine art, educational programs, community outreach and special events. VISITOR INFORMATION Admission to the BMOA is free to members, $8 adults, $6 seniors (65+), $4 students, free for children 6 and under. The BMOA is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Museum is closed Monday, and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. ###