Tehachapi, California may not be as well known for art as, say, Carmel or Santa Barbara, but the little mountain town right off Highway 58 has a veritable plethora of local creative talent.
The city boast 3 galleries, the latest of which is CrossRoads Gallery, located on the NE corner of the new Compass Rose (at the crossroads of Tehachapi Boulevard and Green Street), right in the heart of historic downtown Tehachapi.
CrossRoads opened in November of 2005 and features the works of a variety of local artists working in a variety of media. Artists rent wall space and help run the gallery in addition to hosting First Friday Artist Receptions each month. An eclectic collection of artwork and vintage photos is also part of the gallery’s offerings; in addition, regular art demonstrations by participating artists and occasional poetry readings and lectures are offered from time to time.
Anyone who loves art – or beautiful objects d'art – will find plenty of extraordinary work on display at the new CrossRoads Gallery.
When I opened CrossRoads Gallery over two years ago -- with the help of Pat James and the support of the special local artists who came on board and took a chance with me, and who are still member artists -- I was hoping that CrossRoads would find its own place in a town budding with artistic talent and boasting of two other galleries at the time. It has definitely exceeded my expectations, and continues to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. The talent of our member artists is incredible – new artists have joined and guest artists are now a part of the scene, and member artists are always trying new things – and the energy just gets better and better. James Wilson has recently taken over as general manager and members are incorporating new programs to further expand the gallery’s exposure and usefulness in the community.
One of our best efforts has been the First Friday Artist Receptions, held each month and featuring different artists. Now held In conjunction with Gallery N Gifts across the street – along with Frame of Mind, Radio Shack and Books & Crannies and Mama Hillybean’s Coffee and Community -- our popular First Friday Artist Receptions and Art Walks give people a good reason to come to historic downtown, to see the new art, to meet the artists, and just have a good time in general.
I feel so good when I walk into CrossRoads Gallery on any given day. It feels comfortable and beautiful, welcoming and unique, all at once. I love the work that is presented there, and I love the artists who are a part of it. When I opened the place I knew Tehachapi was full of artists, but I am always amazed when I see the wide array of talent that is on display in the Gallery.
I hope you’ll make a point of checking it out, and I hope you feel the same way I do when you walk into it.