Written by Dylan Knight
Staff Writer
The Bakersfield Museum of Art celebrated its 16th annual Via Arté festival, which is modeled after Italian tradition, honoring the mutual love of art in our community. Artists of all ages meet in The Marketplace parking lot and transform what was once a plain strip of asphalt into an array of colorful chalk art.
“The transformation is amazing. You see a parking lot one day, they come and steam clean it down and all the artists descend upon this place and they turn it into beautiful pieces of work,” said Matt Muñoz, director of marketing at the Bakersfield Museum of Art.
While stumbling past broken chalk and artists sprawled upon the asphalt, it was easy to see Bakersfield’s thirst for color, art and expression.
“Every year it keeps getting bigger, and I think that’s a reflection of the support in this community for the arts. It’s great that it continues to grow,” said Vikki Cruz, curator for the Bakersfield Museum of Art.
With so much emphasis on math, English and science, where does our community stand in regards to art? To some, creating art is the key to self-expression.
“I came here for art. I came here to draw,” said Taren Alexander, project manager for the Grapes of Wrath at California State University, Bakersfield, while creating a rendering of one of the covers of the novel in celebration of its 75th year.
This festival is not only a fun, family event with live entertainment and an array of chalk spectacles, it raises funds for the Bakersfield Museum of Art to continue their support of the arts.
“This is the biggest fundraiser of the year. All of the money raised from all the sponsors go to support our arts education programs which we pride ourselves of at the Bakersfield Museum of Art,” said Muñoz.
The Bakersfield Museum of Art, apart from having great exhibitions, offers workshops throughout the year varying from sculpture, watercolor and drawing to acrylic painting and after-school programs for children. The Via Arté festival aids in funding these workshops to help bring art back to our community.
“Via Arté is kind of like our big crown jewel. It’s a big undertaking, but it’s so worth all the hard work that is put into it because you look at the crowds, you see all the kids and all of the families, this is literally Bakersfield’s biggest art canvas here in this parking lot,” said Muñoz.
The transformation of a simple parking lot in this concrete city is definitely a beautiful site to see.
Upcoming Events:
Sugar Skull Workshop: Thursday, Oct. 23
Altares de Familia: Sunday, Nov. 2
Portrait Workshop: Saturday, Nov. 15
For more information, visit bmoa.org
