Plenty of cool art for this First Friday

The art scene downtown is as hot as the forecast this First Friday with a number of exhibits on display.

There are plenty of exhibits on display along with other entertainment.

The ArtWalk at the Brickyard Downtown (1020 18th St.) will be packed with artists and creative vendors.

Earlier this week, the Arts Council of Kern, which organizes the event, shared on social media that all the artist slots had been filled.

Bands Dancing Tommy and Jean Coyote will perform that night.

Festivities also include food trucks. Those set to take part include Sabor Taino Smokehouse BBQ (barbecue with a Puerto Rican twist), Taco Roll (sushi and tacos), B-town Burgerz (smashburgers), Mondough’s (chicken wings and pizza), Los Chinos Mexicanos (Chinese food) and Los Tlaxcaltecas (tortas, tacos and more).

The ArtWalk will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Brickyard.

Visit kernarts.org/artwalk or @artscouncilofkern on Instagram for more information.

Tlo Wines (1212 18th St.) will serve wine and charcuterie from 2 to 8 p.m. with live music from Corey Dain starting at 6 p.m.

The Bakersfield Art Association will feature artist Cathy Hocking as well as a student art show at its art center.

Hocking took inspiration from the Central Valley for the colorful paintings in her show, "A Touch of Nature."

The title refers to what she sees around her on a daily walk, around her garden or on a drive.

While assisting with this year's Plein Air Festival, Hocking was able to speak with visiting artists and learn more about their outdoor painting techniques.

In her artist's statement, she shared that she hopes her paintings bring a smile, some joy or special memory to everyone.

A reception will be held for Hocking from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center, 1607 19th St. Refreshments will be served.

There will also be a virtual show on the Bakersfield Art Association’s website (bakersfieldartassociation.org), Facebook (facebook.com/BAAartists) and Instagram (@bakersfieldartassociation) pages.

The art center will also feature work from Vista West and Liberty High students in the latest show in its partnership with the Kern High School District.

For Vista West, the spotlight will be on the exceptional artwork from the school's beginning art classes, as well as the advanced classes, all led by teacher Sarah Marchant. Teens whose art will be on display include Malachite Walsh, Brooklyn Harron, Lizbeth Lopez, Alexander Soria and Benjamin Lopez.

Students of Liberty High instructor Sarah Hahn will also have work displayed. Participating artists include Promessa Chaparro, Ashley White and Vanessa Hernandez

Receptions will be held for the student show from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday amd 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Over at Dagny’s Coffee Co. (1600 20th St.), which is one of BAA’s satellite art locations, Janeen Carter-Smith is the featured artist.

Carter-Smith, a retired art, English and creative writing teacher, began her art training in a conventional way before taking an artistic departure in her painting.

She began abstracting landscapes she saw and making figural metaphors for the human condition.

Her current work is reflective of the Impressionists and Expressionists, inspired in part by visiting where Monet worked in his garden in Giverny and Van Gogh's artistic stomping grounds in Provence.

The Bakersfield native aims to engage the viewer with her work, allowing the onlooker to drift into the experience of what they're seeing, "whether it is the chickens that live in her backyard, the cats that laze around her living room, the California coast, or the metaphoric figures that inhabit her dreams," she included in her artist's statement.

A reception will be held at 6 p.m. at the coffeehouse, 1600 20th St.

Enjoy even more artwork at the Bakersfield Museum of Art (1930 R St.), which offers free admission along with extended hours (10 a.m. to 8 p.m.).

Currently on display are "From the Vault: Works from BMoA's Collection," featuring work from the museum's permanent archive; the abstract work of "Sydney Croskery: Tall Horizon"; "Resonantly Me: a Queer Artist's Invitational," featuring the works of California-based two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, androgynous and asexual artists; "Rochelle Botello: Free Fall," vibrant three-dimensional works made of wood, duct tape and paper and ink-and-acrylic designs; and the talented student pieces of "The Colors Within: Selected Works from the BMoA ArtWorks Class of 2024."

Visit bmoa.org for more information.