Bakotopia

Loading...

Larger Map

larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view larger view

BURN THE WITCH III: NYOKA, ARTIST

Plans For The Future
By Nyoka, Bakotopia.com Contributor

Three years ago, four local artists set the wheels in motion for what would become Burn the Witch.

I am proud to be one of those women.

Jen Raven, Jenn Williams, Amber Saunders and I worked together to plan that first event: all female artists and performers over two weekends. We had no idea how big this would become.

Our show has boasted a steady increase in both the number of participating artists and number of sales over the past two years. We have raised money and awareness for worthy causes. We have twice won an “Empty” award at the Empty Space for best group art show.


Above: Art by Nyoka

With artists ranging from first-timers to seasoned pros, as well as performance poets and musical guests, this show truly has something for everyone. Every opening reception has been so packed you can hardly walk inside the gallery space.

While excitedly planning our third annual event, curator Jen Raven confided in me that this would be her last year running the show. With no one else to fill her shoes, that meant the untimely end of Burn the Witch.


Above: Art by Nyoka

I though about what being a part of Burn the Witch had meant to me over the past two years. As an art student at CSUB, I had been far too shy to ever show my work publicly. A chance meeting with a local artist changed everything. He coaxed me to enter a group show at the Empty Space. From then on I was hooked. I entered every show I heard about, and eventually helped organize Burn the Witch.



Showing my art publicly gave me the courage to apply to graduate schools. That’s why events like Burn the Witch are so important: they give new artists the chance to exhibit, network and learn from artist who have been around the block. Several show artists have gone on to pursue careers in entertainment, pursue an MFA degree, become teachers, or curate their own group art shows.

I was heartbroken at the thought of it all coming to an end, but determined not to let it die. With my usual stubborn confidence I insisted, “I’ll do it.”



This year I have been been honored to work alongside Jen Raven, learning firsthand what it takes to make Burn the Witch the success it has been each year. We instated a board to divide the multitude of duties necessary for a group show on such a grand scale. Our board members, Brooke Peace, Julie Jordan Scott, Susan Rousell, Stacey Payne, Nano and Theresa Tate, have been instrumental in planning this year’s event. Burn the Witch III promises to be our greatest success yet.



I’ve already started formulating plans for Burn the Witch IV, and I will not disappoint. My more immediate goal is to start an organization to help all underground artists promote themselves professionally and show their work. We will have monthly meetings, free work shops, trips to L.A. galleries, and two massive group shows a year - think Burn the Witch, but open to the boys too.

Burn The Witch III flies into action this year with two opening shows on Oct. 11 and Oct. 18, both from 3 to 7 p.m. A press-only preview show occurs on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

*Suggested donations for the openings are only $5 at the door with a discounted rate for students. Proceeds from this event benefit The Empty Space, a 100 percent non-profit organization that serves the community all year long. Thirty percent of all art sales go directly to the theatre, and the other 70 percent of sales benefit the artists.

-The Empty Space Theater & Gallery, 706 Oak St., Bakersfield, CA 93304
-327-PLAY

CLICK PHOTO BELOW TO RE-CAST THE SPELL!

Also printed in Bakotopia magazine issue 38, 10-2-08