Black Owned Community Art Class Paints Mural Alley
Artists Seeking Knowledge is a Community Art Class, open to ages 5+ and FREE to the public. A community of local artists helping other artists. They teach several mediums with real life applications and detailed HANDS-ON instruction. Students have full access and use of supplies in Artist Studio
ASK is having a meet and greet along with their big reveal April 5th, on First Friday from 6-8pm at the Locale.
Bakersfield Mural Artists Deidre Hathor and Brandon Thompson are the co-founders of ASK – Artist Seeking Knowledge. ASK is a free community art class whose goal is to inspire, educate and create. Their mission is to motivate artists and assist in their artistic growth as well as share in art opportunities.
Through ASK, Deidre and Brandon are bringing people from all walks of life to create Street Art. This years mural class is at Bakersfield’s own, highly sought after revolving 63’ foot wall in Mural Alley.
ASK has been taking everyday people, the schoolteacher, single mother of 3, paralegal, CSUB student and seasoned artist, and brought them together to make an impact in the community through art.
Deidre and Brandon started ASK 3 years ago as a way to give back. “We have an arts is for everone agenda. We like to create ways for artist to learn about art in a variety of different settings” says Hathor.
“We laugh and talk about how inspiring Deidre and Brandon are. If they can get 40-year-olds to believe that they can paint murals, that is saying something,” Says Candice Lujan, Assistant Director Downtown Education Center. “Art is a form of self-care for me, because of it’s relaxing nature. It allows me to re-charge from day-to-day life. I look forward to art class each month. Deidre and Brandon believed in my artistic potential since day 1 and have shown me that I am capable of much more than I ever thought, and we executed our first mural from design to concept.” Says Morgan Jones, Central Operations Manager.
Candice, Morgan, and Tawnya Davidson painted the Dandelion Mural on G Street, which is adjacent to the Locale Farm to Table Restaurant. The unique quality to this mural is that it sparkles in the sunlight with glitter paint. This team has only been doing art for a little over 5 months.
“I have found a new love and respect for walls as canvases, thanks to Deidre and Brandon. It has been thrilling to see and be a part of the start to finish of this project. Considering the hard work, it takes to be on a ladder while completing this kind of work is both terrifying and thrilling but absolutely rewarding especially as one see everything come together.” Says Lucia Guzman, CSBU Graduate, Bakersfield Museum of Art Instructor, Bird Dog Arts Gallery Asst.
“We participate with ASK as a family. We have been coming for over a year in a half. this is the 3rdmural I did with ASK. I am proud to be a part of this mural alley experience. This Mural Alley design pushed me beyond my limits, I was surprised to see me going to the heights that I did on that alley wall. I am so proud of myself. I am learning a lot.” said Justina, Bookkeeper, Notary, and mother of 3. Justina and Lucia painted the Honeycomb mural with fellow artists; Bri Santaella, Alicia Onyx, and Ice Berg.
The larger of the two Murals, 63 foot by 12 foot wall, is located in Mural Alley. The Honeycomb, has a broken wall affect and Bees in the upper right corner of the wall. These artists have a little more experience.
“The teams have been working hard to complete the murals by our designated timeline. Each ASK mural class is different. Artist come to our class with a variety of skillsets, and we work with their strengths, and encourage, teach, and assist them with the tools they need to create a beautiful, successful mural.” Says, Mural Artist and co-founder Brandon Thompson.
Deidre and Brandon both are seasoned Mural Artists, who both have art in galleries and murals throughout Bakersfeild and Southern California, East Chester, BHS, Vista High, Mercy House and Starbucks to name a few. They are also partners, partners in ASK and in life.
(Courtesy Photo)
This mural is supported in part by the community with donations from Habitat for Humanity, the Kern Honey Company and local community supporters of the arts who purchased tarps, paints and brushes, to help make the art class’s mural project a success.
Heather Laganelli is the owner and operator of Mural Alley. A rotating art space in the heart of downtown Bakersfield behind The Locale Farm to table restaurant on 18th and G street. “I was pleased with ASK art class the last time they created murals for mural alley. I also being an artist myself, can understand the need to experience the process of creating a mural and when we had the opportunity to allow artists from ASK to learn as they create, I was happy to once again be a part of that process. I created this space for creatives like myself. This is a win -win for all of us,” Says Heather.
Artists Seeking Knowledge is a Community Art Class, open to ages 5+ and FREE to the public. A community of local artists helping other artists. They teach several mediums with real life applications and detailed HANDS-ON instruction. Students have full access and use of supplies in Artist Studio
ASK is having a meet and greet along with their big reveal April 5th, on First Friday from 6-8pm at the Locale.
For more information about ASK and class schedule go to https://www.instagram.com/ask_artists.seeking.knowledge
For more information, press only:
Deidre Hathor
818-579-0180
For more information on Product:
Website: ASK Art Class (11thandt.com)
IG – https://www.instagram.com/ask_artists.seeking.knowledge
IG – https://www.instagram.com/muralalley,bakersfield
