Metal sculpture “Bot Alien” created by student Abby Deeley. Photo courtesy of the KRVAA
Kern Valley youth have become integral members of the local artist community, according to the Kern River Valley Art Association (KRVAA), which has started a monthly gallery showing, at the Station, featuring the works of toddlers, tweens and teens. The showings will open with monthly receptions that the KRVAA invites the entire community to attend.
This month, January 11, from 10am to 12 pm is the children’s reception, held before the association’s usual adult Art Gallery showing from 4:30 to 7pm.
“The show happens at the Station. It coincides with our art association themed gallery exhibitions. So we’re going to see what’s the perspective of a child doing artwork versus an adult doing artwork with the same theme, essentially,” vice president of the KRVAA, Laura Tran said.
This month the theme at the Station is “Space Aliens” for the kid’s reception. The theme at the Art Gallery reception is “Out of This World” for the adult artwork showing.
Next month the adults have a “Villains” theme. And the kids will have a “Super Heroes” theme. Tran explained to the Kern Valley Sun that the theme is a general starting point and can be veered from if necessary.
The main coordinator for the Children’s Art Gallery is Alita Elfstrom, a well-known art instructor.
Elfstrom said the KRVAA will be taking submissions for youth showings every month at the beginning of the month, at the same time they take adult submissions.
For dates of submissions please keep an eye on the KRVAA Facebook and website. https://www.facebook.com/KernRiverValleyArtAssociation/
Some of the prizes at the youth reception will include a tee shirt and art kits. The KRVAA will also award ribbons and certificates of merit to winning artists. All the prizes are donations to the KRVAA.
Judging categories, which the students will enter, are ages 13 to 17 and ages 12 and under. Submissions can be any media. Kids can submit the work without any frame. The artwork will be displayed all month.
The Station will serve hot chocolate and refreshments during the event. “We got nine entries for our first show. We’re going to do hot chocolate for the kids and awards for everyone,” Elfstrom said.
“A 16 year old girl came in and she welded a piece. So we had some good stuff come in. But I think our next show will be even better.”
Elfstrom was a teacher of art at Cerro Coso Community College for about ten years and has a Masters degree. She has been retired for a while. She said, “I was one of the people that received an Art Association scholarship. I think it was in 1994. And they really helped me a lot. And I wanted to pay it back somehow. I want to make a place for kids to be able to express themselves.”
Elfstrom currently teaches several classes for the KRVAA. She teaches a class especially for kids Mondays after school.
Some of the themes for 2025 showings will include “Ships and Boats,” “Gardens,” “Animal Farm,” and “Mushrooms.”
Elfstrom said, “I want kids to feel safe. And if they can do it with art, I’m there with it.”
