REEDLEY – While celebrating all things Reedley at the Fiesta art showcase this year, locals can also celebrate the artistic pursuits of fellow community members or even themselves.
Area artists have the chance to show off their talent at the Reedley Fiesta Art Showcase during the 58th annual Reedley Fiesta Oct. 13 and 14. Those who wish to join the showcase must email photos of their work to Jimmy Loomis, the Visual and Performing Arts coordinator at Kings Canyon Unified School District (KCUSD), by Oct. 6 for approval.
“It’s open to everyone, and we have such an artistic loving community,” Loomis said. “I think it’s a perfect opportunity for anyone to showcase what their talents are.”
Anyone, no matter their age or experience, can submit their art to the showcase. The only requirement is that the artwork must be suitable for all ages. Loomis said that any art form can be displayed, be that pottery, visual art such as drawings or paintings, digital art, photography or something else entirely. Last year, Loomis said someone displayed their handmade dolls.
“Art takes on many forms, and sometimes we just need to have the courage to try to put out what we have,” Loomis said. “It’s not being judged or anything like that, it’s really just a showcase. As long as it’s appropriate for the general community, there’s no reason why anyone’s art can’t be on display.”
Reedley’s artistic community is unique because people engage in all the different types of artistic disciplines that exist, Loomis said.
“We’re not limiting ourselves,” Loomis said. “We embrace all forms of art in their vibrancy and their opportunity to share in the community, and I think that’s what makes Reedley stand out.”
This year’s show is sponsored by KCUSD, the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce and the Kings Canyon Educational Partnership foundation, of which Loomis is the board president.
Loomis described the showcase as a resumption of a previous Fiesta tradition that has been done off and on over the last 10 years. It began again last year when the Fiesta steering committee decided they wanted a way to display artistic talent in the community, Loomis said.
After bringing back the showcase in 2022, Loomis said his favorite part of it is seeing artists get to share their work with their families and see what other kinds of art is out there in the community. He added that this showcase opens up new ways for local artists to connect with each other and gives everyone “an opportunity that might not otherwise be there.”
“The Fiesta itself is a great opportunity for showcasing local businesses in a variety of forms,” Loomis said. “I think that including an art component (gives) people with a variety of interests an opportunity to engage with the event.”
Once an artist receives approval to have their work in the showcase, they will need to drop off their work at Reedley’s Jefferson Elementary School on Duff Avenue. Loomis said the works will be put on display for the artists so they do not have to worry about that process.
At Fiesta, the artwork will be on display outside of the Reedley Police Department building on G Street in downtown, across from Pioneer Park. Interested community members can stop by the showcase during Fiesta hours Friday night from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 13 and Saturday after the parade from around 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 14.
