Jones Art Gallery Hosts 2025 Panorama Invitational, Featuring Art of Kern County High School Students
Thursday, February 13, 2025
By Deanna Rea
The Bakersfield College Wylie and May Louise Jones Art Gallery is hosting the 2025 Panorama Invitational, a special exhibition dedicated to showcasing the art pieces of Kern County high school students. The exhibit features more than twenty artistic creations, each composed of a different medium, including two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and multimedia formats.
The layout of the gallery itself transforms into a work of art, with an open concept that evokes a sense of asymmetrical balance through the rhythm of sculptures and framed artwork. With a calm, peaceful atmosphere, several students, faculty, staff, and visitors were perusing the exhibition, each drawn into the artists’ vision and impressive technique. The exhibition also features interactive drawings that invite attendees to engage with the pieces. With the docent’s assistance, intricate graphite designs are slowly unveiled, offering guests a deeper connection to the art pieces.
Each young artist displays a strong understanding of the elements and principles of art, from successfully applying atmospheric perspective to creating captivating pieces with engaging main focal points. Their work spans a variety of styles, including both abstract and realistic representations, while also delving into studies of still life, anatomy, color theory, and sculptural forms. The artists explore a diverse range of mediums, demonstrating both versatility and creativity, through dynamic collages, detailed portraits, and innovative mixed-media pieces. Many works convey deeper meanings that hold personal significance to the artist, with some leaning toward abstraction, while others address themes like academic pressure, religion, and personal hardships. As a result, the art pieces evoke a profound emotional resonance, inviting viewers to engage with the pieces through the lens of their own experiences.
The 2025 Panorama Invitational will be open from February 3rd until March 6th. The gallery is open at various hours Monday through Thursday. Please visit the Jones Art Gallery operating hours page for more details.
