A thank you letter to the City of Tehachapi

At the end of the year, many of us received a beautiful letter detailing what a successful year our families have had. In this letter, successes, as well as opportunities for growth, are examined and discussed. For the members of the Tehachapi Arts Center, the City of Tehachapi is our family, therefore this letter and thank you is addressed to you, our beloved city and family.

Dear Family,

It's been a great and challenging year for the Tehachapi Arts Center. We have experienced so many changes over the year and so much growth. We started the year as the Tehachapi Treasure Trove. By the end of January 2022, we became the Tehachapi Arts Center, a co-op and had grown to over 20 members. Now at the end of the year, the co-op has grown to 24 members. We are proud of the diversity of age and ethnicity of our group. We are particularly proud to welcome co-op members under the age of 18, whom we think are the heart of the community and the key to the future of Tehachapi. In addition, the number of vendors at the co-op has grown to over 30.

During this year, we continued many of the traditions of the Treasure Trove including Paint Night. Sadly, some of our favorite teachers such as Judith and Lucinda moved away or retired. We have been fortunate to have new teachers such as Ed Vasqkedi take their place. Ed was our guest artist for two months and kindly offered to begin teaching painting on paint night in the late summer of 2022. His classes have been not only popular, but successful. I can guarantee that Ed is a teacher who knows how to reach each and every student in his classes. Starting in spring 2023, Ed will begin teaching afternoon classes at the Arts Center. Paint Night continues to be held on the third Saturday of each month from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Look for Ed and other local artists to help our community continue their creative pathways. Community members interested in exhibiting their art should contact the Tehachapi Arts Center for an exhibition. We are always looking for fresh talent to join the Tehachapi art community.

As a family we want to give a shout out to both Judith and Lucinda. They were our "main-stay" artists for paint night during the Tehachapi Treasure Trove years and they gave their heart and soul to the art center. In particular, Lucinda seemed to have never met an art form she could not conquer, and she spent countless hours bringing different types of art, including painting, drawing, clay modeling and paint pouring to the art center, in addition to teaching painting classes.

We have continued to hold classes at the Tehachapi Arts Center. Grayson Kamerer continues the Children's Art Class on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. During 2022, Grayson's class included crafts such as button making, sticker making and creating colorful mugs. He worked with the students on drawing, painting and the FUNdamentals of art.

In addition to Grayson's class, Cathy Clark, Nancy Waldron, Leila Kleiman and Lorraine Snelling held classes for adults. Cathy's classes included constructing creations out of polymer clay and tin. Cathy also taught copper smithing and making art from everyday objects such as metal cans. Nancy's classes including card making and the art of ink and watercolor. Leila taught students to fuse glass into beautiful and useful objects. Lorraine, a prominent local author, held writing classes for beginning writers. As one of those writers, I appreciated the patience and kindness that Lorraine showed each of us. We look forward to the continued creativity of our teachers and encourage you, members of our Tehachapi family to participate on art classes and/or bring your talents to the Tehachapi Arts Center to expand arts in Tehachapi.

The year 2022 also brought some new innovations to the Tehachapi arts community. In mid-2022, Susan and Jonathan Hall started the Improvisation Class. Susan and Jonathan are veterans in the world of acting. They work at the Renaissance Faire each year to keep their acting chops sharp. Improv classes build self-confidence, public speaking skills and help us adults find time to play, as well as practice mindfulness. Improv is also a tool to teach listening skills. The classes also provide a fresh look at acting and improvisation to the average person who just wants to dip their toe into the world of acting. The improv class is held the second Saturday of each month from 5:30 to 8 p.m. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Another new innovation to Tehachapi Arts Center is the Jam Night. Tehachapi Arts Center continues to support the musical community in Tehachapi through Mountain Music a co-op member. In addition, the Arts Center has opened its doors to support the creative energies of community musicians at all levels. Jam night is held Tuesdays at least once, and sometimes twice or even three times per month. (They can't help it-they are musicians and spontaneous!) Best to get on the text list by calling the Arts Center and asking for Mark.

We are also proud of our "crown jewel" Alari Jewelry, housed in the Tehachapi Arts Center. The only jewelry store in town, Mike Alari does not like to toot his own horn. Aside from custom jewelry designs, Mike also performs jewelry and watch repairs. For all of your jewelry needs, come visit the Tehachapi Art Center. (Sorry, shameless plug! I love my family and like to give credit where it is due).

Tehachapi Arts Center continues to support the City of Tehachapi on First Fridays and during community events. We were also proud participants in the Hometown Christmas event. We will continue to support the community in the new year.

Now for the new challenges in 2023: In the new year we will continue to recruit artists to exhibit their art and offer classes to extend arts in the community. In addition, we always welcome new members to the co-op (family). We are looking for the young and old, working or retired, amateurs or professionals and persons from all walks of life to keep the light shining in the windows of the Tehachapi Art community. Please visit us in the new year and find out how you can support this vision.

Thank you so much Tehachapi for your loving support of the Tehachapi Arts Center. Without you it could not have been such a successful year.

With love,

The Tehachapi Arts Center

The Tehachapi Arts Center (TAC) is a cooperative continuing in the tradition of Mel White's Treasure Trove. TAC provides a venue for local artisans to gather, learn, teach, display, and sell their art. We are located at 116 E. Tehachapi Blvd. (across the street from the water tower). TAC is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can reach us at: (661) 822-6794.