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Fine art: Latin style

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Since art is said to be in the eye of the beholder, it’s tough to pinpoint the exact reason people gravitate to the local, thriving Latino art scene.
Of course, it might be as simple as there are now so many reasons and examples of local Latino art to behold!
Call it a reflection of community, a love of color or just plain artistic admiration, art created and/or inspired by the Hispanic cultura is alive and well in Kern County.
And by all accounts, it’s here to stay.
In fact, together with Metro Galleries owner, Don Martin, MÁS Magazine presents “Latination: A Celebration and Exploration of Latino Life,” a juried art exhibition focusing on Latino-inspired works. The show features local artists’ Latino-inspired creations and runs through Oct. 1.
The event is also a celebration of MÁS Magazine’s fourth anniversary.
‘Explosive growth’
All it takes is a visit to a local art gallery — and there are now a good number of them — to see the impact and influence of Hispanic art and its creators.
Much of that is credited to the expansion of the genre and the Hispanic population (Kern County is about 40 percent Hispanic), along with the arts scene and artists community, according to local experts.
“I think there’s been a tremendous growth (in the local Latino arts) the past few years, particularly among younger, emerging artists,” said Martin of Metro Galleries on 19th Street in downtown Bakersfield. “I believe that much of it has to do with the explosive growth we’ve seen in our local arts community — with several new galleries, venues and groups forming.”
One ripple effect resulting with the increase in the art venues in town is the increase in younger artists, Martin said.
“Many young artists, including Latinos, have been able to show their work to a diverse group of people,” he said.
After all, the more art and the more galleries to show it, the more people will be exposed to the often high energy, colorful and culturally-connective works.
“I also find a certain passion in many creations by Latin artists,” Martin said.
A cross-section
Over at the Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMOA) — which is preparing for its “Dia de Los Muertos” (Day of The Dead) show, opening Sept. 17 — presenting artworks that have a Latin influence is only natural.
“We want to offer something for everyone here at the museum — this is a place for everyone in the community to enjoy,” said Beth Pandol, BMOA’s marketing director. “And there is always a cross-section when it comes to the art here and our visitors.”
A true example of “cross-section” will be seen among the 50 skulls artistically decorated by 50 different local artists as part of the “Dia De Los Muertos” exhibit.
Each artist — Hispanic and non-Hispanic — was selected by BMOA staff and given a skull as a “blank canvas” on which to create.
Some of the skulls for the exhibit are already trickling in — and they’re exceeding all expectations.
“They’re great — it’s amazing what these artists can do!” Pandol said.
The skulls will be placed in a large, altar-like structure that will be the centerpiece of the exhibit.
In January 2006, the museum brought to Bakersfield the largest Latin art exhibit — 63 pieces in all, valued at more than $1million — ever seen here.
The “Legacy of Mexican and Latin American Art Past and Present” exhibit included works by the famous Hispanic painters Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. The pieces in the show were loaned to the BMOA from the private collection of the family of Richard Zapanta.
 “We always aim for diverse shows because we are trying to get a variety of people to come to the museum,” said BMOA Curator Emily Falke at the time of the “Legacy” exhibit. “It is really important to have these shows because in communities like Bakersfield, where there is a high ratio of Hispanic cultures, it is important to offer things that will interest the people in town.”
In October 2008, the Todd Madigan Gallery at Cal State Bakersfield presented “Arte de La Gente” (Art of The People) that also featured items from the Zapanta collection.
A total of 31 pieces were displayed in yet another local exhibit that showcased Latino art.
As part of the “Dia de Los Muertos” show beginning this month at the BMOA, there are also plans to display “Altares de Familias de Bakersfield,” which will feature personal altars to family members who have died.
It’s hoped to have about 20 local families participate in this part of the show. Anyone interested can contact the museum at 323-7219.
Making connections
Local art experts also report that art, in general, is about making connections.
And with art that has a cultural twist to it, well, that can make for some very powerful connections.
“I think art is about the connection it makes … an emotional reaction to a specific piece,” Martin said. “I think with Latin-inspired art, that reaction can be more intense because of the colors and emotion sometimes involved.”
Pandol agreed.
“I think people are drawn to the energetic, colorful, vibrant and spiritual aspect of Latin art,” she said. “It is very popular here.”
It’s that energy and bursts of color that are also at the heart of local Latino artist’s inspirations.
“I think color is in just about every Mexican. We have that design for bright colors,” said Jose Castellanos, a Bakersfield artist, who was born and raised in Michoacan, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States when he was 11.
In a previous article published in MÁS, Castellanos said his paintings are strongly influenced by his cultural background and beliefs.
Most of Castellanos’ paintings exhibit a strong presence of bright colors, geometric shapes and bold lines. His works also sometimes include objects typical of Mexican culture.
“Latination,” the juried exhibit at Metro Galleries, is something that Martin has hoped to do since opening his gallery in 2006.
“I’ve wanted to explore and discover what artists feel about the Latin culture and experience,” he said.
“I hope that it will create a better understanding for the viewer of the Latino culture — and I hope for the artists that it is a positive experience of creating a piece of art reflecting this culture.
“Hopefully, we will discover an emerging artist or two as well!”