Allow us to ‘paint’ a picture of what you have awaiting you at the Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMOA) reopening, but before we get into it, let’s talk COVID-19 safety.
As per public health, BMOA Curatero Rachel Magnus says they will of course follow CDC guidelines and welcome in masked guests at 25 percent capacity in their 17,000 square foot space.
“Typically the way paintings are hung in a museum, they are social-distanced, and that trickles down to the people viewing them,” Magnus said.
Get ready for some new exhibitions to represent the museum’s past. The first is a collection of large-scale archives you may have not seen much of before.
“We thought this was a great opportunity to pull them out, as we welcome people back into the museum,” explained Magnus.
Another section to show off Marion Osborn Cunningham’s “works on paper.” After all, she’s the whole reason BMOA exists! Her parents had commissioned the museum in her honor back in the '50s.
“She was an incredibly prolific printmaker, and it explores the process of printmaking, and how she employed color and prints to create a variance within the realm of printmaking,” Magnus said.
Plus, a room dedicated to artist prodigies from local junior high and high schools.
“It’s a semester-long program where students are introduced to the wide array of careers you can pursue within the artistic fields. during that semester, they’re making a body of work as well,” said Magnus.
Traditional works that you may already know and love will be there to greet you too, like the Black and White Gallery’s photography collection. These are pieces two local artists collected and are now a part of the museum’s eclectic tapestry.
The museum is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors, and free for members and children under 5. For art buffs that still want more BMOA have its Día de Los Muertos garden party and art show coming up this Saturday and Sunday.
