Barbara Hinkey
Special to the Sun

Many people think the Kern River Valley Art Association is only a group of folks who get together once in awhile to work on their projects.

While in fact, the Association does much more than that. “The Art Association is the longest running association in the valley. Our gifted artisans exhibit and offer for sale their ‘one of a kind art’ to the community and visitors that is found nowhere else,” said Jim Davis, President of the KRV Art Association.

Joyce Zvenia, left, and Shirley Davis paint boots in preparation for the Kern Valley Art Association’s Sierra Arts and Crafts Festival that will be held this weekend Sept. 3-6 in Circle Park and Odd Fellows Hall in Kernville.

According to Davis, the Association has a very special project this year and it will be kicked off at the Sierra Arts and Crafts Festival slated for Labor Day Weekend in Circle Park and the Odd Fellows Hall in Kernville, Sept. 3-6.

“Boots Up For Art” is being presented in an effort to unite the valley in art. “We are hoping businesses will display these beautifully hand designed and painted boots for people to see and enjoy,” said Davis. He went on to say the boots are meant to produce a unifying theme throughout the valley pulling all communities together with Public Art. The boots are designed to be used outside to invite people in to the shops and to enjoy the beautiful art on them.

These are no ordinary cowboy boots. They are over two-feet tall and weigh 75 pounds. Each boot has a different and unique design on it that is created by the individual artists.

“I was on a road trip across country and we stopped to stretch our legs,” said Shirley Davis. “I saw these huge cement boots for sale and thought they would be perfect for a project for us.” She bought one and brought it back home where they were received with enthusiasm. “I drove all the way to Kingman, Ariz. and filled my pickup with 20 of them and we started working on them right away.” She went on to say they now have a local supplier so her trips to Kingman are no longer needed.

It is a goal of the Association to promote art education and to be there to support the schools since there are no art classes in the curriculum any longer. “Art is life and culture and if we lose the art, we lose that,” said Davis. “We need to do all that we can to keep it alive and well.” Monthly workshops are held at various locations around the valley.

Art Scholarships, art education and special projects like “Outside In” will receive 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the boots. Now in its third year, “Outside In” is a program that encourages creative art in developmentally challenged adults. “We don’t focus just on the art, but the person that is creating and producing the art,” said Davis.

The Association is hosting a Wine and Cheese Opening Reception on Friday, Sept. 3 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall in Kernville. This is a great opportunity to meet the artists and be introduced to the “Boots Up For Art” and get geared up for the festival in the park.

These boots ain’t made for walkin’, but they will surely get plenty of miles on them as they decorate the businesses throughout the valley. They can also be used as ‘yard art’ in a favorite spot in the garden. You will be the talk of the town for sure! Who else would have an 80-pound cowboy boot sitting on the porch!

For information regarding the upcoming event, membership or a tax-deductible donation, please contact Jim Davis at 760-379-2844.