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Burn the Witch IV: The Next Generation!
Topics: Burn the Witch IV, Metro Special Events at Westchester, All-Women Fine Artwork Exhibit, Bakersfield, Bakotopia.com, Bakotopia, Citizen Journalism, Mercado Nuevo, Metro Special Events, october, 2009
Posted by jenraven Wed Oct 7, 2009 08:11:12 PDT
Viewed 1423 times
0 responses 2 comments Location: Metro Special Events at Westchester 2801 F Street, Bakersfield, CA

Burn the Witch IV:  The Next Generation!
The blazing continues at new, bigger location! Meet this year's sirens! OPENING OCTOBER 17!

By Jen Raven, Bakotopia contributer
Photos by Todd Powers / Foxglove Photography

Introduction...

As yet another amazing incarnation of Burn the Witch draws near, I find myself not only reminiscing on years past, but also looking to the future. 

If this empowering movement is to survive, we will continue to need new blood, each year.  And, while it's true that I continue to slog through the trenches of our local arts scene, it's important to remember that I'm not alone.  That's especially crucial in this year; the fluctuating economy has been tough on the arts, everywhere.  It would be easy to get discouraged, if not for the company I'm keeping.
 
As it turns out, I'm in some pretty good company.  I'd like to climb out of the trenches for a moment, and highlight four, among the many, who've worked hard to help create Burn the Witch IV.  So much more than just pretty faces; the models in this year's promotional photos are strong, educated, and talented women.  They, and others like them, are the reason I continue to work for a better arts community in Bakersfield; and I am honored to stand beside them, as part of this year's Burn the Witch.
 
It's important to remember that, as the Arts belong to all of us, so to is it the responsibility of everyone, to keep the Arts alive.
 
Burn the Witch!
~Jen Raven, BTW Founder
 
The Next Generation




Nyoka (BTW IV Curator)
-28.
-BA in Art from CSUB, working on her Masters in Fine Art; Art Academy of San Francisco.

One of the First Four women who originally founded Burn the Witch, last year Nyoka served on the BTW Board as Assistant to the Curator, and this year she's running the show.  Nyoka is founder and President of Bakersfield's newest non-profit arts organization, Bakersfield Emerging Contemporary Artists.
 
Nyoka is a skilled painter, and the lead vocalist in a local band, "Destroy the Throne."  She is very active in Bakersfield's Arts community; she has participated in Via Arte for four years; she has created and sold artwork in the ACK fundraiser, Artini; she has created award winning artwork for the Kern County Fair; and she won the Best of Show award twice at the Underground Gallery.  She's also shown artwork in Sacramento, and will be part of the upcoming January 'Cannibal Flower' exhibit, in Los Angeles.
 
Nyoka is enthusiastic about taking on the challenge of creating this year's Burn the Witch, though she does admit, "It turned out to be a lot more work than I'd realized!  Especially, because we had to move our growing show to a larger venue ... and then move it again when our venue fell through.  But it's all been worth it, and I want to continue to keep this event alive.  Burn the Witch has been such a valuable thing for the women in our arts community, and it's where BECA was born.  So, while I plan on serving as Curator at least through BTW V, I do intend, someday, to hand it off to the next Curator, just as Raven handed it over to me."


 
Nyoka would like to thank all the BTW artists and fans who volunteered their time to help bring this show to life, especially Robyn, Becky, and Destiny, who stayed until 4 am with her, to complete the hang!   Thank you to the BTW board members, who have been working so hard in the last several months, to organize this complex event.  Also, she would like to thank Don Martin of Metro Galleries, Nichole Garvin of The Arts Council of Kern, and Matt Munoz of Bakotopia Magazine, for all of their generous support.
 

Robyn Lace (BTW IV Creative Director)
-28.
-AA in Art from Bakersfield College, BS in Business from University of Phoenix, working on her Masters in Cross Cultural Education; National University.

This is Robyn's second year to Burn the Witch. 

Last year she helped us put the show together; this year she's serving as Creative Director of our promotions campaign.  Robyn came up with the concepts for this year's photo shoots, and designed much of the costuming for them as well.  Robyn is an active member of BECA; she teaches our popular Framing and Hanging Hardware workshops, and helps us put together our raffle baskets for fundraisers.   She also acted as Creative Director for BECA's 'Muse' group arts exhibit in March.  And, she has participated in Bakersfield's Via Arte for nine years.


 
Robyn is a true Renaissance Woman; she is skilled in acrylics and watercolor; she's active in our community theatre scene; she designs and creates beautiful costumes and jewelry; and she's generous with her time and talent, when it comes to helping other aspiring artists.  "I really love teaching, and I'm happy to have the opportunity to teach through BECA.  The artists in BECA are like family to me, and I'm so glad the group is continuing to grow.  This year's Burn the Witch will be the best one yet ...  it's my favorite art show, and Halloween is my favorite time of year ... and BECA artists are my favorite people ... I can't wait for the Burn the Witch costume party, on October 31st!"
 

Destiny Pledger (BTW IV Newcomer)
-27.
-AA in Psychology from Bakersfield College, working on her BA in Psychology from CSUB.

This is Destiny's first year with Burn the Witch. 

She was encouraged to join our movement by Robyn Lace; "Robyn had seen some of my work, and commented on how it was good, and it ought to be shown.  But, aside from having some of my student artwork on display at Bakersfield College, I've never actually been part of an arts exhibit; I'd never considered my masks and costumes to be 'art' before talking to Robyn and Nyoka ... I just enjoyed creating new costumes as a hobby.  Working with other women artists has helped me to form a different opinion, about what I do."  Destiny is a skillful costumer, and also creates some pretty amazing leatherwork masks.  "All my dresses for the show are made from my own patterns.  The Renaissance dress I've submitted to Burn the Witch is made with 40+ steel bones and a wooden underbusk; it took me about a month to complete."


 
Though apprehensive at first, Destiny has since come to view Burn the Witch as "a completely unregrettable experience ... everyone has been so great to work with; everyone has made me feel so comfortable and so welcome ... I'm already looking forward to working with all of these people, again.  For any women who are newcomers to our arts scene, I have to tell you; this is the perfect way to jump in!  Everyone is so laid back.  There are no entrance fees.  The Openings are parties, rather than formal receptions ... the only pressure I've experienced at all was in getting my artwork done, in time for the drop!"

 
Becky Osterdock (BTW IV Newcomer)
-24.
-BA in Art from CSUB, working on her teacher's credential, as well as her portfolio for submission to a Master's program.
 
This is Becky's first year to be a part of Burn the Witch, but she did get to see the exhibit last year.

"I was really impressed with the floor-to-ceiling artwork. Just walking through the gallery inspired me to paint."  Becky's latest oils-on-canvas series of masks will be on display at this year's exhibit; "I've just finished some paintings that I've been working on for nearly two years.  They will finally be unveiled at Burn the Witch IV."  Becky works with ceramics, as well, and she is skilled with pastels; she's participated in Via Arte for three years; this will be her fourth.  In last year's Via Arte, she won first place for original artwork; the year before she won third place for a reproduction.


 
Becky is good friends with fellow artists Nyoka, Destiny, and Robyn, so she really enjoyed working on the promotions for this year's event.  "The photo shoots were so much fun!  And I'm honored to be a representative for Burn the Witch, in Bakotopia Magazine.  I'm so proud to be doing something in support of the women artists in our city."  Becky also adds that she's excited for all the free classes BECA offers the men and women artists in our community; "it's so important to continue educating ourselves on what's happening with contemporary art, today.  The classes and field trips to galleries, inside and outside of Bakersfield, will be so valuable for our local emerging artists."


Burn the Witch IV  ~ NEW LEADERSHIP, NEW LOCATION! 

Because the show has continued to grow in popularity and in participation, we've had to move it to a larger venue!

This year's celebration of female creativity will be held at "Metro Special Events at Westchester" 2801 F Street, Bakersfield. 

Also! This year the lovely and Talented Nyoka will be taking charge of our event. She's done a magnificent job with this year's show; everyone come out and support your local women artists as we BURN THE WITCH in 2009! 

-Opening Reception: October 17 from three to seven pm; five dollars at the door:  Food, wine, live entertainment! 
-Closing Reception: Halloween Party October 31; from three to seven pm; five dollars at the door:  Food, wine, live entertainment, games, costume contest, and an art raffle to benefit BECA, and The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.

BURN THE WITCH IV - WEBSITE!

Related articles:
-Burn The Witch IV causes local witchhunt?
-Meet Corky Blain of Burn The Witch IV
-Burn The Witch III
-Burn The Witch II

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 65, 10-15-09

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Comment From: matt

I attended the press preview last night. The show is soooo big now! Bravo, ladies! Comment From: jenraven

Opening weekend is upon us at last ... let's BURN THE WITCH, BAKERSFIELD!