An art show devoted to modern interpretations of Yosemite came together Saturday night with an exhibit of children's art for an "Evening of the Arts" at the Kings Art Center.

Art works from Yosemite Renaissance, a non-profit group whose mission is to encourage contemporary interpretations of Yosemite National Park, along with children's work from the Kings Art Center's summer arts program were on display to the delight of young artists, their parents, and local art lovers.

Steve Robinson, president of the Art Center, said the summer arts program has been very well received since its inception in the early '90s.

"Art is a great way for kids to express themselves, and a great way to help them become a better student," he said. "This is not craft, this is art, so the expression is a key component."

More than 260 children between the ages of 5 and 15 participated in the summer arts program.

In the Banister Studio, outer-space themes with black construction paper decorated with bright orbs and glittering stars filled one wall. Another wall contained colorful drawings of bugs, and another with penciled self-portrait renderings.

Art instructor Tedra Battaglia said the classes are about teaching new skills, but also making art fun.

"The kids are really enthusiastic, they love the art classes, some of the children, you can't get them to leave because they're having so much fun.

Debbie Senior's two sons, Alex, 12, and Robbie, 9, have been coming to the summer program for three years.

"I think it provides a new experience for a lot of the kids," she said. "The teachers are wonderful, and it really open the kids' eyes to different types of art."

Travis Smith, 9, has been coming to the classes since he was 5.

"What I like most about making art is everyone gets to enjoy it, everyone gets to come here and see it!" he said with a big smile.

Travis' mom, Pam Smith, said she likes bringing him and her other son, Logan, to the classes because they miss out on art instruction in school nowadays.

"It's really neat to be able to take an art class, be creative, and see their creativity in the art show," she said.

Selected works will go on display at Hanford Community Medical Center and at the Kings County Library in Hanford. Others will be flown to an exhibit in Setana, Japan, Hanford's sister city. And the Poster of the Year will be used as the Kings Art Center's letterhead, and copies will be given to Art Center contributors.

This year's winner was Austin Richards' "Space Adventure."

The Hanford West High School Jazz Band filled the Art Center atrium with music as the smell of popcorn wafted between the two galleries.

In the Marcellus Gallery, Yosemite-themed art works of varying mediums, including acrylic paintings, photography, sculpture and mixed media showed how contemporary artists have reinvented nature-inspired art.

Emily Dvorin's "No More Mountains" sculpture used mountain climbing rope and cable ties to create a prickly, amorphic, pinecone-like bowl.

Susan Bolen's "Wild and Sacred River" used deep, rich red and orange acrylic paints to create an almost psychedelic interpretation of Yosemite.

Visalia artist Jeri Burzin displayed her photography in this year's show. A close-up look at a rocky outcropping and water created an abstract image with the feel of an oil painting.

"I think people try to include too much in a piece," she said. "I like to get real close, focusing on what's important."

Burzin, who said Ansel Adams is one of her inspirations, said it's "humbling" being included in a show with so many great artists.

"The diversity is great, and that's the mission of the organization is to show the diversity of Yosemite and bring it to life as much as possible, and I think the exhibit does that nicely," she said.

Robinson said the Yosemite Renaissance show has been coming to the gallery since 1992. It will be on display until Sept. 24.

(Aug. 26, 2007)