Tehachapi welcomes plein air artists

From May 14-17, the Tehachapi Arts Commission and residents of the Greater Tehachapi area will welcome 40 nationally known plein air artists to our city. While taking part in Art 2021 Tehachapi, the artists will spend the weekend with their easels, canvas, paints and brushes, painting various aspects of Tehachapi’s diverse landscapes.

The event is called a “paint out” and the visiting artists may be seen in town, in the vineyards or any place there is something to be committed to canvas. Special events will be held for the group at Dorner Family Vineyard and Dreyer Fine Arts Studio.

About 100 paintings and miniatures are expected to be created throughout the weekend. The artists will then return to their studios to complete their paintings. The completed paintings will be juried into a free public art show to take place at Aspen Builders Community Center on July 24-25. Awards will be presented for the Best Urban Painting, Best Landscape Painting and, of course, Best of Show. A VIP reception to be held on Friday, July 23 will be hosting the nationally recognized artists and collectors from all over the country.

Master pastelist Otto Sturcke will be the featured artist for Art 2021 Tehachapi. Sturcke began his art education following his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. He began his career as an illustrator but while learning different techniques, he found his medium of choice was pastels. His art is influenced by the Dutch Masters and he has won many national, regional and international awards.

Tickets for the July VIP reception are on sale at http://www.artstehachapi.org or by contacting Laura Dreyer at (626) 945-3753. Proceeds from the reception will benefit the Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley Foundation to be used for the future purchase of artwork for our hospital.