The town of Tehachapi, California, is all abuzz for the inaugural Tehachapi Art Show. Organized by the Tehachapi Arts Commission, the show first sprung to life from the minds of art collectors Dwight and Laura Dreyer. The invitational show and sale will include plein air paintings depicting the diversity of the Tehachapi area by 40 talented artists.
Otto Stürcke, Guadalupe’s Glory, pastel on paper, 6 x 6”
“We emulated the show after John Geraghty’s achievements with the Masters of the American West at the Autry Museum,” says Dwight, who is also a commission chairman. “He was instrumental in forming the Masters and turned it into one of the highest-grossing shows.” Dreyer aided Geraghty in the first year of the Masters, where he gained insights in the creation of a successful show. “I admired Geraghty and took a lot of his cues on putting the artist first,” says Dreyer. “This was Geraghty’s mantra.”
The committee has allowed their selected artists to create their plein air paintings in advance, to then have on full display for the show. This allows for the artist’s work to dry, and giving them time to reach full completion. Works will be juried by committee members that include the acclaimed Donald Towns, who was an art director for Disney. 
Junn Roca, Oaks, Poppies and Lupines, oil on Belgian linen, 24 x 36”
In addition to the plein air pieces, artists are allowed one other major piece of their choosing, along with a miniature for the show. “We wanted to include a diverse group of artists,” says Dreyer, “and we’re open to all materials and themes. There will also be a variety of subject matter including Western scenes, landscapes and still life.”
Otto Stürcke, has been selected as the show’s featured artist for his excellence in pastel work, his celebrated murals and for being instrumental in getting the show off the ground. Like Towns, Stürcke has experience with Disney as a field assistant art director and scenic artist. Besides his Disney work, the artist notes that, “Many of my [paintings] are inspired by the Dutch masters use of chiaroscuro and often carries an allegorical narrative,” he explains. “As life changes, so does the narrative.”
Karen Winters, Gold and Glory, oil, 20 x 24”
Stürcke’s Disney projects were put on hold during the pandemic, which gave him time to really think about his next series of paintings. “…I decided to paint a series of still life paintings to journal this uncommon past year in a way that would remind me to hold on to hope, faith and the little things that make a grand difference in my life.”
With this sentiment in mind, Stürcke will be including work such as Guadalupes Glory, a gorgeous, highly realistic black-and-white image of a rose. “In Mexican culture, we pay homage with roses,” he says. “My son Diego was born in December on the day we celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe. In short, it was a rough birth and for a moment, I thought I would lose them both.” 
Linda Brown, North Honeybee Canyon, oil, 10 x 12”
Don’t miss out on this never-before-seen event, especially the VIP ticketed event on July 23, that will include limo escorts. In-person viewings are set for July 24 and 25, and a virtual showing will continue through August 26. —
Tehachapi Art Show
July 23-August 26
• VIP Event, July 23, 5-9 p.m.
• In-Person Viewing, July 24-25
• Virtual Showing, through August 26
Aspen Builders Community Activity Center, 410 W. D Street, Tehachapi, CA 93561,
(626) 945-3753, www.artstehachapi.org
Powered by Froala Editor
