As most of you know, Jenn Williams was curator of the sadly now closed 18th St. Gallery. That is where Mike and I first met Jenn, and first experienced an art gallery in Bakersfield.

In the Spring of  2007, I happened to notice a posting on Bakotopia.com for the Watermarks show. I told Mike that he should enter a few pieces of his art work. After that one show, he was hooked, and rented his boutique space. A few months later, I too entered some of my photography in the Textures show. It was very exciting and something we had never had the pleasure of taking part in before.

It was great for Mike, to be appreciated for his type of work, and to have other artists with which to discuss art with. It was a great place to be, to look at everyone's art, or to just hang out, which everyone did at some point.

Without Jenn's encouragement, help, and overall enthusiastic attitude, many local artists would not have had a place to display their work, or come together with other local artisis. And  I, along with others I'm sure, would not have discovered the truely unique experience of displaying my photographs for the first time. I know that everyone's lives were changed, for the better, by having the 18th St. Gallery.

Now that it is gone, Mike and I are happy to be the ones to continue in it's footsteps. And, with the help of Jenn Williams, we will grow and flourish. Yes, Jenn will always be a part of our gallery, and will always have a home there, for her many amazing art pieces.

And, let us not forget, that the help and encouragement that Jenn was so willing to give, could not have been possible without the help and support of her sister Denise. I enjoyed many great conversations with Denise, and look forward to many, many more!! You two ladies deserve all the praise and recognition that I can give, and so much more!!! ♥

Together, we will bring Alternative Art to Bakersfield!!!!