Boys & Girls Club Empowers Kern County Students Through Artfest

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County hosted its highly anticipated Artfest this past Friday, where dozens of young artists from across Kern proudly showcased their visual and performing arts talents. While the event raises essential funds for art programs across four Boys & Girls Club sites, it serves a deeper purpose. It empowers students by building their confidence and encouraging them to pursue their passion for art.

The event brought together students, proud parents, community members, and supporters to admire the artwork displayed in the Young Artists’ Masterpiece Gallery. Paintings, drawings, and mixed media creations were auctioned off, with proceeds reinvested into the same art programs that nurture the students’ talents.

For students like Isabella from Chipman Junior High within the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) and Ricardo from Myrtle Avenue School within the Lamont Elementary School District, Artfest was more than just an opportunity to display their work. It was a chance to demonstrate how important art education is.

Isabella, who has participated in Artfest for three years, submitted four pieces this year, all of which sold at the event.

“Art really helps me express myself and relieve stress,” Isabella shared. “I get to experiment with things like stippling and shading, which I might not have been able to try on my own.”

Despite having participated in Artfest several times, Isabella still finds speaking to potential buyers about her work nerve-wracking. However, she appreciates how the event has helped her gain confidence in her artistic abilities and in interacting with others.

For sixth-grader Ricardo, it was his first time showcasing his work at Artfest. Although he’s always had an interest in art, it was his time at the Boys & Girls Club that allowed him to explore new techniques, like working with acrylics and watercolors.

“I’ve always liked drawing, but here, I got to learn how to use different materials,” Ricardo explained. 

His favorite piece submitted to Artfest was an acrylic painting of a train moving through a day-and-night cycle, a project he felt incredibly proud of. 

Isabella and Ricardo are prime examples of how a robust art program can offer students opportunities to thrive academically and develop stronger social-emotional skills.

To this end, California recently passed Proposition 28 — the Arts and Music in Schools Act. Schools across the state have begun receiving nearly $1 billion in new funding each year, aiming to ensure more students have access to robust arts and music programs. 

Districts like BCSD have used new funding to make significant efforts to expand and extend their programs. They have hired over a dozen new arts teachers and integrated a new ArtReach Program, which partners with the Bakersfield Museum of Art (BMoA). 

While school arts programs provide foundational skills, the Club allows students to take their creativity to new heights through hands-on guidance and the freedom to experiment.

Emily Lloyd, one of the Boys & Girls Club’s art instructors, described the club’s flexible approach to fostering students’ artistic development. 

“We don’t follow a strict curriculum,” she explained. “Instead, we look at each student’s skill level and what interests them, and then build on that.”

This individualized instruction not only builds technical skills but also boosts confidence.  

“Artfest celebrates the artistic accomplishments of our children in both visual arts and performing arts throughout Kern County,” said Zane Smith, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County. “Our young artists donate the artwork they have created from lessons at the Club. These masterpieces are then auctioned off at the event and reinvested into their programs and programs for other children, thus establishing them as accomplished artists and philanthropists.”

According to Smith, Artfest is a testament to the belief that children can accomplish anything given “the right tools, the right environment, and the right mentorship.”