California to host art expo
It will be an exciting weekend in California as the borough plays host to the area’s young artists for the first Art Expo to take place in the borough. Different artworks created by students from the California Area School District will be the focus of the entire weekend.
The event, which will run from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, will mark the first California Area Cultural Arts Expo and will showcase students’ drawings, painting, ceramics, photographs, music, design and creative writing.
Part of Second Street, near Jozart Studios, will be blocked for the event.
Jay Paroda, owner of Jozart Studios, said this is the first time in a long time that California has shut down its streets for an art expo.
Mayor Galvie Gardner agrees.
“We may have done it (shut down the street) way back when, but it’s been a long time. This is the first expo though,” he said.
Jozart Studios will display much of the artworks and will also have an open stage for student performances.
Gardner said if it rains, the show will go on inside Jozart, which Gardner said is “huge” inside. Paroda said he and others involved with Jozart Studios will judge the artwork.
Gardner said that in addition to the art displays will be group performances and food booths.
“It’s going to be big,” Gardner said. “We have tremendous support from the borough, the University (Cal U) and the school district.”
In addition, the expo will feature a variety of entertainers throughout the weekend, including Cherylann Hawk, the Pittsburgh Electronic Musicians Association, Bill Majetic and the Usual, Fred Adams, Kate Doblick, Chris Kinsey, Jason Halliker, Dave Olson, Scott Stewart, Ben Cox, Maurice Rickland.
Artwork created by students from grades kindergarten through 12 is currently on display in the downtown storefronts.
Gardner said the students’ artwork is very creative and impressive.
“It’s unbelievable what these kids have done. The work is fantastic,” he said. “The participation is unbelievable.”
Paroda said he believes there are close to 200 hundred students involved in the project.
Gardner said he and Roger Sealey, president of Liberty Rose, a publishing, producing, consulting corporation in California, came up with the idea for the art expo.
“It was our idea and he just ran with it and it’s been a big thing,” Gardner said.
Gardner said he hopes to have the event every year and anticipates its growth.
“We even have (Rep. Peter) Daley involved, and maybe next year he can secure us some grants so the festival can grow.”