Tehachapi News

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October is Halloween month, and CrossRoads Gallery will be featuring a guest art show of the more macabre side of the creative, titled “Dark Places.” You’re invited to see the show, which opens on Oct. 3 for First Friday Art Around Town from 5 to 8 p.m. 

On the brighter side, regular gallery members Leila Kleiman, Kathleen Wolf and Mel White are also featured, plus the work of Jackie Fleming (represented by gallery manager and artist representative James Wilson).

Leila Kleiman, a talented transplant from the art scene in Ojai, works in many media. Her fused glass works and collages are in great demand on the coast, but many people in Tehachapi have yet to discover her – October will be a fine time for you to check out her work.

Kathleen Wolf has been a long-time Tehachapi resident and has been active in Tehachapi’s art scene for years, especially in the finer arts and in music – she saws a wicked fiddle and paints with vivid colors and imagination. You never really know what Kathleen will be working on at any given time, but you know it will be original and will have many layers of messages, meanings and musings.

Mel White, gallery owner and local photographer, sometimes laments that she doesn’t have as much time as she used to take pictures, but she will be unveiling some new photos for the October show…plus new ways to show off older photos.
Jackie Fleming, an acrylics artist from Colorado, will also be on display in CrossRoads for the month, although she herself will not be in attendance.

The gallery offers visitors hors d’oeuvres and champagne to toast the new art show and the artists who created it on the first Friday of each month; First Friday’s Art Around Town also includes other local art venues like Tehachapi Art Center, Gallery N Gifts, Mama Hillybean’s, Frame of Mind, Books and Crannies, Radio Shack and Picture Perfect and Stamps of Approval. All of the venues are open from 5-8pm for the evening and feature local artists, refreshments and often live music.

CrossRoads Gallery is a dedicated fine arts gallery with 23 member artists who have regular displays in the gallery, and who host the First Friday festivities and other special occasions.

CrossRoads is located on the northeast corner of the Compass Rose in historic downtown Tehachapi (Tehachapi Boulevard and Green Street). For information or directions, call (661)822-5242, or visit our website at crossroadsgallerytehachapi.com.

First Friday’s Art Around Town
First Fridays are exciting times in Tehachapi for artists and people who love or appreciate art…and for anyone else who wants to be part of a distinctive on-going local event.

On the first Friday of each month, various art-related business around town stay open late – 5 to 8 p.m. – in order to celebrate and promote new art shows and local artist with special receptions. First Friday’s Art Around Town, which started with CrossRoads Gallery two years ago and now includes Gallery N Gifts, Frame of Mind, Mama Hillybean’s, Books & Crannies, Tehachapi Art Center and Picture Perfect.

All of the venues feature different artists and different types of art; some feature demonstrations by local artists; all offer refreshments and most offer live music. The first Friday of each month is truly an evening to celebrate art and creativity in all its many forms, and a good time is a sure bet for everyone.

In October, Main Street Tehachapi will also be part of the First Friday festivities – the Main Street office will be open for visitors to view photographs submitted for the Centennial Calendar project; refreshments will be provided by the Rotary Club of Tehachapi.

One way or another, plan to get around to all of these places on any first Friday:
CrossRoads Gallery (101 E Tehachapi Boulevard);
Gallery N Gifts (100 W Tehachapi Boulevard);
Frame of Mind/Art and Glass (1121 W Valley Blvd);
Mama Hillybean's Coffee and Community (426 E Tehachapi Blvd);
Books & Crannies (also 1121 West Valley Blvd);
Tehachapi Art Center (777-A West Tehachapi Blvd);
Picture Perfect and Stamps of Approval (101-C E Tehachapi Blvd); and
Main Street (122 E Tehachapi Blvd) with a special show this month.