TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Fresh into 2012, it's easy to embrace the motto of out with the old and in with the new. And what feels new is a First Friday celebration in January, a month that the event has previously skipped. And with the unseasonably warm weather Bakersfield has enjoyed recently, there's plenty of incentive to head downtown and enjoy the arts.

Continuing their run at Metro Galleries are a pair of impressive exhibits by Keith Wicks and Bill Lagattuta. Wicks, a cousin of Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Bakersfield native now living in Sonoma, has a collection of plein air paintings that incorporate the play of light. Former CBS news correspondent Lagattuta's exhibit is an interesting contrast with abstract portraits and recycled metal.

Speaking of recycling, The Foundry is taking the practice to another level this Friday with its "Lost and Foundry" exhibit. For the show, artists were challenged to produce fine art incorporating found objects and recycled items.

"We like to push our members outside the box -- like our last show with kitsch art," said Foundry co-founder Christina Sweet. "Artist block is common. Sometimes you need an extra nudge to create that next great piece."

Inspiration seems to have struck as Sweet said Tuesday that she had 16 works so far, with three more on their way. Pieces incorporate a variety of materials.

"We received ink works on cardboard, sketches on prescription bags, a stool that has been collaged. Lots of works with recycled Plexiglas, pipe and wire."

One standout, according to Sweet, is "Suitcase Willie" by Kent Porterfield, which started with a simple item -- a decades-old suitcase -- that became something else entirely.

"It surprised me. This old suitcase from the '60s or '70s is turned into a light box with stained glass."

Sweet said her own work for the show would include linoleum salvaged from when the 20th Street gallery was being remodeled. Relocating from the previous spot on Chester Avenue and revamping the new site's interior has paid off, she said.

"The gallery is remodeled, it's a lot more contemporary. And now we're a lot closer to the arts mecca. We've had a lot of new faces come through. Attendance has definitely been up, 200 to 300 people every month now."

Over in The Foundry's old neck of the downtown woods, Reiter Gallery aims to draw a crowd with "Far is Near," an exhibit of pen and ink works from Chris Ouk.

Owner Mitch Reiter, who's known Ouk since running a gallery in Venice (where Ouk still lives), said he's excited to show the artist's work, which incorporates architectural and Buddhist themes.

Along with Ouk's work, Reiter will also display carvings from palm wood by another Venice artist, Gilesy Williams.

"His stuff is pretty amazing," Reiter said. "Everything from lion's heads to mermaids. I'll have one wall up (of his work), possibly two, depending on how many pieces I get from him."

Reiter will also share details on mystery project Wake Up Bakersfield, curated by Deon Bell. The next event is set for Jan. 14.

"We had one last month. It's about waking up local artists to get work out there."

Speaking of keeping things local, Guild House will have live music from Ken Fahsbender on saxophone and Larry Peahl on keyboard for its First Friday event.

"It's oldies but goodies," said Robin Starr, past Guild House president and current publicity chairwoman. "It's great to hear the old tunes."

Guests are welcome to sit and enjoy the music while nibbling on antipasti skewers, blue cheese and honey bruschetta and cheesecake bites. A glass of wine comes with the $10 cost, with an additional glass available for $5.

Although she didn't anticipate a crowd as big as December's -- 90-plus -- she said attendance has been growing since the First Friday gatherings started in October 2010.

"It's another way to get our name out there. The music is wonderful as is being part of the downtown scene, the First Friday movement."

People who enjoy the evening atmosphere at the Guild House should stay tuned for details of its Affair Extraordinaire at the end of the month. Details are being confirmed, but Starr said that the theme of the Jan. 29 event is best of Bakersfield with a gourmet meal planned featuring food produced locally.