Tehachapi Museum: Featuring carvings of Hooks Anderson, and paintings of Gail Jenkins

For the First Friday Art Walk on March 6, the Tehachapi Museum presents a collection of hand carved items created by Lester "Hooks" Anderson and painted by Gail Shilling Jenkins. He was a master wood carver, creating hundreds of beautiful pieces of art, a few of which are displayed in the Community Case. Hooks was able to devote countless hours to his many talents after retiring from Monolith. He retired in 1979, after a 45-year-long career. Across the street, at the Errea House garden, you will also find a totem pole that was carved by Hooks and painted by Gail Shilling Jenkins.

As a youngster, Lester often accompanied his father to Utah to herd sheep in the mountains between Beaver and Parowan. His job was to stay in camp, tend the fire and cook dinner for himself and his father. During those long solitary hours, Lester would entertain himself with carving anything that was available – trees, wood, bone, antler, etc. He also became proficient at braiding leather into ropes, reins and whips.

Gail Shilling Jenkins, an accomplished artist worked in many mediums including acrylic and oil painting, pottery, sculpture, jewelry and beadwork. She was always drawn to Native American culture and the bulk of her artwork reflected that. She opened an art gallery in Tehachapi to showcase her work and Hook's, along with the pieces on which they collaborated.

Because of their shared interests, Hooks and Gail became close friends and worked countless hours together, researching, planning, and collaborating on many of the works you can see in the Museum exhibit.

Hook's daughter, Laura Weltin, and granddaughter, Leslie Nelson, along with Gail's daughter, Mimi Jenkins Whitney, will be on hand at the Art Walk to discuss their families' collection and recollections of the well-known local artists.

Starting with the upcoming First Friday, there will also be an exhibit of small pencil sharpeners collected over the years by lifelong Tehachapi resident Sally Errecart. Many of the sharpeners in her collection are small bronze pieces that are replicas of cars, farm equipment, houses, and just about any subject you can think of.

The Museum is located at 310 South Green Street, a short walk from Tehachapi Blvd. The Tehachapi Museum is always open for the First Friday Art Walk from 5 to 8 pm. In addition to permanent exhibits on Tehachapi history, and the Milano Gallery that showcases the Kawaiisu, our local Native American tribe, there are changing exhibitions and special showings of the collections of local residents.

Stop by during the Art Walk for a look at what's new and a glass of champagne or wine and appetizers.

Regular hours are Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 12 to 4 pm. The Museum can be reached at (661) 822-8152.