A Season of Impact!
Kern River Valley Art Association Newsletter
Connecting Art, Community, and the Valley
From the KRVAA Board
The Kern River Valley Art Association (KRVAA) continues to grow as a space where creativity is not only celebrated, but actively lived, shared, and used to strengthen our community. This season, we are embracing the theme “Art in Action: A Season of Impact.”
Art is more than what hangs on our walls; it is what brings people together, sparks conversation, supports healing, and creates opportunity. Over the past months, we have seen art in motion across the Kern River Valley: in our galleries, through youth engagement, at community events, and in the everyday connections being built between artists and neighbors.
Turning Vision into Action
This quarter, KRVAA has focused on putting our values into practice. We have expanded opportunities for artists to exhibit and sell their work, increased collaboration with local organizations and businesses, and created more accessible entry points for community members to participate whether through classes, events, or volunteerism.
Our galleries are not just spaces for display; they are active hubs of creativity, learning, and connection. From the Buffalo Youth Gallery to our retail and reception spaces, we are committed to ensuring that art remains accessible and representative of the diverse voices in our region.
Strengthening Community Impact
We believe that a thriving arts community contributes to a thriving local economy and a stronger sense of place. This season, we are intentionally deepening our partnerships within the Kern River Valley to amplify that impact supporting local artists, activating public spaces, and contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of our community.
Continuing Our Commitment
Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and community involvement remains at the core of our work. As we continue to refine our systems and grow as an organization, we will keep sharing updates, celebrating progress, and inviting your input.
KRVAA is not just an organization it is a collective effort. It belongs to the artists who create, the volunteers who give their time, the supporters who believe in our mission, and every community member who walks through our doors.
This season, we invite you to be part of Art in Action. Attend an event, support a local artist, volunteer, take a class, or simply stop in and experience what’s happening. Your participation is what transforms creativity into impact.
Together, we are not just supporting the arts—we are shaping the future of the Kern River Valley.
Your fellow creative,
President Laura Tran, Vice President Seth Babcock, Secretary Michele Martin, Treasurer Kirsten Winter, Board Members Patty Kelly, Alita Elfstrom, Irene Featherstone, Robin Harmon, Daisy Torres, Cora Kelly & Catlin Payne
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| From Inside the Litter BoxHello humans, it’s me — Kevin, the KRVAA Cat, your resident gallery manager, emotional support animal, and part‑time art critic. I’ve spent the last three months patrolling the gallery, inspecting paintbrushes, and judging snacks. Here’s what you’ve all been up to (and yes, I noticed everything).The studio has been packed with painters, doodlers, watercolorists, and people who say “I’m not an artist” while making very good art. I attended every class by sitting in the exact spot you needed to walk around. You’re welcome. The walls changed more times than I shed fur — new exhibitions, member spotlights, and fresh artwork everywhere. I personally approved each piece by sniffing it.Tiny humans arrived with crayons, enthusiasm, and crumbs. They made bold, brilliant art, I just so happened to have some vacation time and decided it would be a good time to use them. We had gatherings, open studio days, and lots of new faces. I greeted everyone by weaving between legs like a furry concierge. More members joined, donations came in, and volunteers helped keep the place running smoothly. I rewarded them with slow blinks and occasional purrs.In short: you made art, you made friends, you made messes — and I loved every minute. See you next quarter, humans.Until next time, — Kevin the Art Cat, Studio Supervisor, Keeper of the Vibes 🐾Photo: Catlin Payne, AI-generated |
Ribbon cutting One year in the new Gallery
by RunAwayTaty Photo: unknown, KRVAA Facebook
The Kern River Valley Art Association is honored to mark one year in our new Gallery with a celebratory ribbon cutting that reflects the heart of our quarterly theme, “Art in Action: A Season of Impact.” This milestone is a testament to the artists, volunteers, and community members who continue to shape this space with purpose and creativity. We’re also proud to feature Craig Teigen as our April Artist of the Month, whose work embodies depth, curiosity, and the power of artistic voice. In keeping with April’s theme, “What You Love,”
The Station celebrated its two‑year anniversary on May 1st, marking the milestone with a ribbon cutting that felt every bit as vibrant as the community that fills our space. The evening brought together live music, a high‑energy Slam & Jam, and the exciting launch of our Summer Series Night Market, which will carry us through the season with local makers, food, and creative gatherings. It was a night
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| Youth Art Camp |
| A vibrant, hands-on week of creativity, exploration, and community, with each day built around a new artistic theme that kept campers inspired and engaged. We opened the week with Color Day, where artists jumped into tie‑dye, zine covers, clay sculpture, and painting their own skin tones while learning color theory. Abstract Day brought bold expression through street art, splatter painting, yarn art, and playful yard games. Midweek, Storytelling Day invited campers to build zine storyboards and bring their narratives to life through movement and outdoor play. On Printing Day, young artists experimented with foam block printing, cyanotype, silk screening, chalk art, and music-inspired creativity. We wrapped up with Movement Day, a joyful exploration of painting without hands, working with chalk, and other activities that encouraged full-body expression. Across all five days, campers connected, created, and discovered new ways to see and shape the world through art.by RunAwayTaty Photo: Catlin Payne |
| Studio Spotlight |
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Want to Be Featured?
Artists, volunteers, members, and community supporters are welcome to participate. You do not need to be a professional artist or long-time volunteer—if you show up, you matter.
To be featured in a future newsletter:
Share your story
Submit photos or works-in-progress
Answer one interview or mini-story prompt
Participation is always optional and consent-based.
Because KRVAA isn’t just about art—it’s about the people who make space for it.
| Of the Arts! |
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| This April, the Kern River Valley Art Association is proud to spotlight photographer Craig Teigen, whose compelling visual work anchors our theme, “What You Love.” Teigen’s photography captures the Valley with a rare blend of honesty and intensity, whether he’s documenting the quiet resilience of our landscapes or the dramatic moments that shape our shared environment. His featured piece this month, a striking image of a smoke plume rising over the hills, reflects his instinct for being present in the moment and transforming raw reality into art that lingers.With 71 works on display and a growing number already collected by community members, Teigen’s exhibition demonstrates how photography can move people, spark conversation, and deepen our connection to a place. His lens doesn’t just record what he sees, it reveals what he feels, inviting viewers to consider their own relationship with the land, the light, and the stories unfolding around them.As we celebrate one year in our new Gallery and continue our season of impact, we invite you to experience Craig Teigen’s work firsthand and reflect on the power of art to shape how we see the world and what we love within itWritten by RunAwayTaty Photo by: Catlin Payne |
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| This May, we are proud to feature Maggie Stroud as our Artist of the Month, showcasing a collection that radiates color, craftsmanship, and a deep love for handmade artistry. Stroud’s work brings a luminous, almost storybook quality to the Gallery, each piece thoughtfully composed, richly layered, and glowing with her signature sense of wonder. Her artistry invites viewers to slow down and appreciate the small, intentional details that transform simple materials into something unforgettable.Stroud’s display stands as a vibrant reminder of how creativity becomes impact: through the hands that make, the eyes that notice, and the community that gathers to celebrate it. With her pieces already resonating with collectors, her May showcase adds a joyful spark to this season’s ongoing exploration of art in motion.Written by RunAwayTaty |
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| Our June Second Saturday Reception celebrated the bold, expressive world of Abstract Art, filling the Gallery with color, movement, and imagination. Visitors explored a vibrant collection of works that invited them to interpret, feel, and connect in their own unique ways. The evening brought together artists, families, and community members in a shared appreciation of creativity without boundaries, another beautiful example of art in action during this season of impact. Written by RunAwayTaty |
| From Around the Grounds |
| At the heart of the Kern River Valley Art Association beats our Art Center, a vibrant, ever‑evolving hub where creativity, community, and opportunity come together under one roof. More than a gallery, the Art Center is a living ecosystem of makers, learners, and dreamers, all supported by the steady leadership and remarkable talent of Patty Kelley, a cherished local artist and one of the Association’s most treasured members. Patty’s vision and dedication help shape the Center into a place where artists of all ages and skill levels feel welcomed, supported, and inspired.Inside the Art Center, visitors will find a dynamic blend of spaces designed to nurture creativity in every form. Our Artists’ Maker Space offers dedicated studio areas where artists can work, experiment, and grow. From our framing space for finishing professional pieces, to our pottery area where hands meet clay, to our kids’ craft corner that sparks imagination in our youngest creators, each space is built with intention and care. The Center also houses a fully equipped classroom, supporting workshops, community classes, and hands-on learning experiences that keep art in motion year‑round.Beyond the maker spaces, the Art Center is home to our Gift Shop, filled with locally made art and handcrafted goods, and the beloved Artsy Fartsy Thrift Shop, where creative treasures find new life. Together, these spaces form a thriving creative campus space, one that reflects the spirit of our community and the impact of art in action.As we continue this season of impact, we invite you to explore the Art Center, meet the makers, and experience the many ways art is being created, shared, and celebrated every day. Written by RunAwayTaty |
| What to look out for in the next quarter… |
| Theme for next newsletter:Making, Growing, Gathering“A Season of Artful Abundance”July- First Friday, Second Saturday Theme Self Portrait Featured Artist of the Month Chris Quinnert, Film Camp, August- First Friday, Second Saturday Theme “Sweat”September – First Friday, Second Saturday Theme “Over the Rainbow”, Labor Day Art in the Park!!! |
| Sponsorship Spotlight |
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| KOA has long been a generous supporter of our major events throughout the year, and their continued partnership strengthens the creative heartbeat of our community. Nestled between mountains, lake, and open sky, this KOA offers the perfect getaway for families, adventurers, and anyone looking to experience the beauty of the Kern River Valley. We encourage our members and supporters to book their next stay with KOA Lake Isabella and show appreciation for a business that consistently invests in local arts, local events, and the spirit of our valley.➹koa.com › campgrounds › lake-isabella➹15627 Highway 178, Weldon, CA 93283➹(760) 378-2001 |
| How You Can Support… |
| There are many ways to support these spaces:Shop local and shop oftenDonate gently used items to the thrift shopVolunteer your timeSpread the word to friends and visitorsConsider becoming a KRVAA memberEvery purchase, donation, and volunteer hour helps KRVAA continue its mission to promote art, creativity, and cultural enrichment in the Kern River Valley. |
