TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Paintings done by eight local artists named winners in a juried competition with a movies-related theme are being enlarged to 12-by-18 feet -- yes feet, not inches -- and soon will be posted on the outer walls of Maya Cinemas.

For the present, however, you can meet the artists and get a closeup look at all of the 18-by-27-inch originals at a reception this evening in the theater's conference room.

And unless you also plan to see a movie, you don't have to buy a ticket to view the paintings. Nyoka Jameson, promotion director, said "Just tell the greeter" in the lobby you are there to see the art exhibit and he or she will direct you to the conference room.

The contest, which was co-sponsored by Maya and the Arts Council of Kern, was open to Kern County residents 18 or over, and limited to 20 entries. Subject matter had to be related to some aspect of motion pictures -- characters from a film, actors' likenesses or the movie-going experience.

Don Trainor, who is well known for his paintings of classic cars, chose to highlight the glamour of Hollywood in its early days. He tells me the bright red convertible in the center of his detailed composition is a 1938 Packard -- complete with white-wall tires and a replica of the original hood ornament.

The colorful painting also includes palm trees, klieg lights, a tripod topped with an old-style movie camera, film reels, a theater marquee and the historic Hollywood sign.

Another winner, Patti Doolittle, chose to paint two different images of a famous star on a single canvas. Marilyn Monroe is shown in the foreground in one of her more pensive moods and in a sexier pose in a smaller image in the background.

Others named as winners in the contest are Ed Lloyd Gragg, Kevin Hardin, Audrey Jarvis, Alison Beitzell, Jeremy White and Caleb Kromer. Each of the winning paintings is being photographed, enlarged and printed on vinyl by Don Mason Photography. When the process is completed, the poster-size prints will be placed on the exterior of Maya Cinemas.

All of the original paintings are for sale, with 75 percent going to the artist. The other 25 percent will benefit the Arts Council's Art in the Schools at Risk Youth Program.

And since the whole idea is to focus on motion pictures, each of the winners gets two free movie passes per week from December through July.

'Next Fall' at The Empty

A contemporary drama about two gay men who are compatible except when it comes to their religious beliefs opens Friday at The Empty Space. Written by Gregory Nauffts, the play opened on Broadway in 2010 and received a Tony nomination for best play.

Kristina Saldana, director of the local production, describes it as "a really good love story about a couple who have different beliefs and how they're able to be in a relationship."

The story begins in a hospital where one of the men, Luke, played by Lorenzo Salazar, is in intensive care following a car accident. His partner, Adam, portrayed by Justin Brooks, arrives later and their relationship is explained in a series of flashbacks. Already in attendance in the waiting room are Luke's divorced parents.

The father, described as "a born-again fundamentalist," is played by Bob Kempf, and Jan Hefner is the mother, whose character is described as "a reformed wild woman of Southern-fried eccentricities."

Caroline Clark appears as the owner of a candle shop where Luke works. The role of Brandon, a gay man who has difficulty expressing his sexual preferences, is double-cast: Jeremiah Heitman has the role for this weekend's shows and Justin Salinas will assume it for the remaining performances, which end on Nov. 26.

Valley poets saluted

This evening's poetry readers at Russo's Books are very much alive but the writers they're honoring are no longer with us. Kevin Shah, who coordinates the monthly gathering, asked the readers to pick a California poet of the past, for "Dead Poets -- Live."

Don Thompson is being featured in the first part of the program and will read some of his own work. Other local poets invited to participate are Gary Hill, LisaAnn LoBasso, Ann Williams, Portia Choi, Nancy Edwards and Adolph Wirth.

They will read poetry written by Ardis Walker, Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel, Roberta Spear, Robinson Jeffers, Helen Shanley, Lee McCarthy, Rachel Field and Kenneth Fearing.

Beale hosts writing workshops

Few things in life are free but a new monthly series of creative writing workshops at Beale Memorial Library is a notable exception.

What's more, each two-hour session will be taught by a member of the English faculty at Cal State Bakersfield, said CSUB's William Mitchell, who is coordinating the series.

"My own thought is that a library is the perfect place to learn about writing," Mitchell said. "I am looking forward to being there, surrounded by writers and surrounded by what others have written."

Each workshop will be held on the second Saturday of the month, starting this Saturday. The instruction will focus on the basics of the writing process: character development, plot, detail, organization and creativity in fiction, nonfiction and poetry. The series will culminate in a Writers Resource Fair in April.

"All of the instructors from (CSUB) who will be at the Beale have a strong interest in writing creatively," Mitchell said."And we enjoy the chance to share this particularly delightful way for people to express themselves."

Harp music at Mercy

Until now, most programs at the Art and Spirituality Center at Mercy Hospital have involved the visual arts. So the performance of Celtic harpist Lisa Lynne on Wednesday evening is a "first," said Sister Sherry Dolan, director of the center.

Lynne is the founder and director of Harps for Hearts, an organization that arranges the performance of live music in hospitals. She is known for her acoustic music and New Age recordings.

Mercy is partnering with the Arts Council of Kern in presenting the concert. Dolan said all donations received will benefit the hospital's Art and Spirituality Center.