First Porterville Art Walk brings in crowd.

The sights of art were alive in Porterville on Friday with the first-ever Porterville Art Walk. At 32 West Gallery visitors milled about looking at art by Victor Cervantez.

“I really like art. Having an Art Walk in Porterville is very exciting and it brings awareness to people. We should have more,” said Lupe Diaz who met up with her daughter Daniella Diaz at the gallery.

Daniella Diaz agreed.

“It’s great, bringing in and opening up to the public something different. Porterville definitely needs more exposure to this,” added Daniella Diaz.  

One particular piece of a woman and two kids caught Lupe Diaz’s eye. In it the trio is looking at a ball of light. Above the main girl is an arch of seven flowers.

“This one is interesting, it’s beautiful, nice color, and form and very ethnic,” added Lupe Diaz.

Outside music and food were being offered. Near the edge of Mill street were three painters busily dabbing, stroking and flicking paint onto a canvas.

Luis Mendoza, his daughter Arianna Mendoza, and Ampelio Mejia were working in sync.

According to Mejia, art is a way to express yourself.

“In art you can say a lot of things you can’t say in other mediums,” stated Mejia.

At 6 p.m. a mural by Cervantez, and some art students from Porterville College, was unveiled. Located in the window of the gallery it features a landscape of mountains and in the background is titled “DREAMERS”. On the right side stands a serviceman in uniform and on the left is a girl in a cap and gown. Between the two characters are two winding roads and a pile of books.

“It deals with education,” stated Cervantez. “A lot of students believe their future stops at high school.”

Cervantez explained that the two paths represented a continuation of education or military service and that legislation is being worked on to provide financial assistance to students who have lived here for quite a long time.

He explained to the audience the reason why art is so necessary.

“Art is so important. Art is all around us. We live in it through architecture,” added Cervantez.

At Alley Rats Tattoo, shop owner Michael Moser had a few pieces displayed. One was of a blue, orange, yellow and black bird sitting on a tree branch decorated with blue flowers. It was painted in Japanese water color style.

“I always just like Japanese artwork,” stated Moser who added that art was a way of expressing ideas.

Ashley Nunez came with friends to see the displays.

“[I came] to see art and hang out with friends,” stated Nunez.

The Art Walk also featured other artists including Brian Brumely at Generations Photography Studio; Leo Hernandez at the Law office of David Candelaria; Samantha Hunt at the Law office of Gregory Chambers and Diego Gutierrez Monterrubio at Reflections Hair Salon. An artist was also featured at Don Vino’s.

Organizers are hoping to continue having Art Walks on the first Friday of the month.

For more information on the walk visit http://www.facebook.com/PortervilleArtWalk.