Detail of door by artist Becky Osterdock for "Opening Doors to the Arts." Photo by Terry Telford.

By Terry Telford

“Opening Doors to the Arts” is about doors.  But it could also be about bridges.  In particular, the bridge between the underground creative scene and the more established, gallery-driven art community in Bakersfield. Sponsored by Don Martin, whose Metro Galleries has become a cultural focal point of the Bakersfield Arts District, the group collaborative art exhibit was produced by artists from BECA (Bakersfield Contemporary Emerging Artists).

Martin came up with the idea of using old doors as a creative canvas when part of the building occupied by Metro Galleries was gutted. He hopes it will be the first of many annual art collaborations.

“I’m always looking to do more public art. So I thought, ‘Well, what a cool idea. Maybe we just give these to artists and have them create,’” he said.

Martin contacted Nyoka Jameson, president of BECA, to give the group of emerging artists a chance for greater exposure. They first connected last year when BECA rented his hall, Metro Special Events at Westchester, for its annual Burn the Witch all-women art show.

New artists can have difficulty finding venues to display their work, but the “Doors” exhibit gives them an opportunity for recognition as well as possible reward.

“This experience was a perfect way to incorporate the theme of ‘Opening Doors to the Arts’ as local artists attempt to transform our local arts scene,” said artist Becky Osterdock.

More than 20 doors were distributed — most salvaged from downtown renovation projects — and the artists were given approximately one month to create their work. They were given free rein to paint, collage or even dismantle and recreate the doors into something new. Many chose to use both door sides creatively.

According to Martin, the Hay Building at 19^th and Eye streets, which includes Metro Galleries, is the second oldest still-standing commercial building in town. Some of the doors in the project are from the original construction in 1893.

From 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 5, the public will be given a chance to see and purchase the artwork during the First Friday art walk. Doors will be on display in several places including near the Padre Hotel (a project sponsor) and along 19^th and 20^thstreets.

Doors will also be on display in Wall Street Alley, between Chester and Eye Streets, during “Concert in the Alley” during First Friday. The show is presented by Bakotopia and features local act Cidona. The free show begins at 6 p.m. and is open to all ages.

After Friday’s exhibit, select doors will be displayed throughout the month in prominent locations including Farmacy Café in the Padre, and the lobbies of Bakersfield Heart Hospital and The Bakersfield Californian.

One artist by the creative name Mercury Drops summed up her experience by saying, “I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself as an artist. On top of it, I get to promote my art scene, and help a worthy cause.”

The doors will be sold by silent auction, with each starting bid set at $300. Jameson says part of the proceeds will be donated by BECA to three charities: Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, the Bakersfield Rescue Mission and Jamison Children’s Center.

"Held Still" by Julia Heatherwick, local encaustic artist. Photo courtesy of Surface Gallery

Surface Gallery

Also for First Friday, Surface Gallery, 1703 20^th St., hosts a new exhibit opening from 5 to 9 p.m. “Cross Pollination: Connections through the Art of Encaustics” features work by artists Michele Bosak, Julia Heatherwick, Eric Hesse and Sarah Seabolt.

Encaustic painting is a method that has been used for thousands of years, though its complexity makes it an unusual medium for modern times. It is a process that involves combining pigment with hot wax as a binder to produce rich, textured pieces.

Vikki Cruz, co-owner of Surface Gallery, sees the show’s title as a reference to springtime, the different artists represented and the bees that typically produce the best wax for encaustics.

She and co-owner Yvonne Cavanagh have been “huge fans” of local encaustic artist Julia Heatherwick, and look forward to featuring her and her contemporaries in the show.

Continuing exhibits

Last month, so many new exhibits opened that you may not have caught them all. This First Friday, take some time to catch up on these continuing exhibits:

“CaliforniaContemporary” at Metro Galleries, 1604 19^th St., is a display of modern landscapes by California artists. Painters Lily Stockman, Tina Bluefield, John Brosio, Keith Wicks and Art Sherwyn join featured artist Mary-Austin Klein in the exhibit.

Johnny Ramos’ bossanovastudios, 814 18^th St., is always worth walking or driving the extra distance required to reach the unique gallery and studio. His current work, the “Organic Wood Series,” incorporates a new style Ramos has been employing which uses wood to display his abstracts and florals. The open house is from 7 to 10 p.m.

Juliana’s Art Studio and Gallery, 501 18^th St. across from Mill Creek Park, continues to exhibit work from Mike Barker, Patty Doolittle, Bill Ryan and Daniel Ryan as well as 30 other artists. Juliana’s warm, spacious gallery will be open from 5 to 9 p.m.

Also, the BECA art walk will be exhibiting artwork for purchase on the sidewalk at the corner of 19^th and Eye Streets. Each month, different upcoming artists display their work ranging from photography, painting, sketches, crafts, and jewelry.

FLICS at the Fox

In addition to all the art galleries and boutique shops opening their doors for Friday’s event, the historic Fox Theatre presents FLICS (Film Lovers International Cinema Society) at 7:30 p.m. This Friday’s film is “Wendy and Lucy,” rated R, directed by Kelly Reichardt and starring Michelle Williams. Although many of the films featured by FLICS are foreign, “Wendy and Lucy” is in English. Admission is $5.