TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

True to the art of improvisation, Derek Mears has no idea what theme or topic he'll explore for his appearance Friday evening at the CIA.

But the Bakersfield native, who starred as hockey-masked, machete-wielding Jason Voorhees in the 2009 film "Friday the 13th," is ready for the challenge.

"I told Robert (Long) whatever you throw at me, we'll roll with it," said Mears, 39, in a phone conversation. "I can't guarantee what's going to happen but it's going to be fun."

Long, of course, is the owner-operator of the Center for Improv Advancement, better known as CIA. He also teaches theater and film performance at Highland High School, Mears' alma mater. In the 1990s, both were active in Comedy Sportz and other local troupes.

As for the upcoming CIA show, Long gave few details but did say it will be suitable for all ages.

"The show should be family-friendly," he said in an email. "The brown bag foul will be in effect, meaning that the audience generally determines when something is offensive."

Mears, now a full-time actor and stunt man -- he appeared recently in "Predators" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" -- lives in Santa Clarita but still maintains his hometown ties.

"I got my start in Bakersfield and it's always fun coming back to see family and friends," said Mears, adding that he studied theater at Bakersfield College and Cal State Bakersfield.

A muscular 6-feet-5, the bald actor is an imposing figure in any situation, which makes him a popular candidate for roles as monsters, serial killers and other scary characters.

Hours of preparation have gone into the special makeup required to make him seem even more menacing. Mears estimates it took four hours for artists to mask his face for his role as Master at Arms in "Pirates of the Caribbean," and about half that time for "Predators."

Yet the actor, who works out daily, said his physical presence isn't the most important thing when it comes to making movies.

"My job is to tell stories and that's what I always try to do," he said. "The mask is only part of it."

Mears said his latest film, "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters," starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton, is scheduled for release to theaters on March 2.

Printmaking for kids

As an adjunct to its winter exhibit of Mexico-related prints, the Bakersfield Museum of Art has set aside a separate space where children can experiment with this particular kind of artwork.

And since the art museum will be open today and Friday as well as from Tuesday to Friday of next week, families might want to consider it as a relaxing and inexpensive departure from the usual holiday hubbub.

"It's a completely simplified version of printmaking," said Liz Sherwyn, museum education assistant. "Everything they need is right here."

Sherwyn suggested that children might want to make a print while their parents are viewing the contemporary prints of the De Le Mano exhibit or the historic Estampas de la Revolución Mexicana.

Dubbed the Children's Art Center, it's a lab-like space and is located to the left of the reception desk. It can accommodate about five children at a time. Reservations are not necessary.

A do-it-yourself instruction sheet is provided, as well as scratch paper for creating a design, scissors and dull pencils to carve the design onto a Styrofoam block, and an inkpad with a choice of colors.

Usually about three imprints can be made with one block, and kids can take home their finished prints.

Recycled Christmas cards

If it pains you to throw out all the lovely Christmas cards you've received, I suggest you take a look at what Sherrie Lewis does with hers.

Lewis, the creative genius behind Christmas Around the World, has on display at least one tree -- maybe more -- that's decorated with cards she's enhanced with beads, sequins and other sparkly things. In addition to cards from recent years, she's also included some that are antique or have a Victorian flavor, which makes it even more interesting.

One reason I mention the cards is that they're unique and visitors may overlook them given the several hundred trees and Nativity scenes that make up the majority of the exhibition.

You'll find the collection of cards in a section to your left as you step off the elevator onto the second floor of the Timeless Furnishings building.

New digs for Arts Council

Last Friday, the Arts Council of Kern moved its offices four blocks south to the Access Centre at Truxtun Avenue and L Street.

The space is being provided by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office in a building that formerly housed Mission Bank. For the past 10 years or so, the Arts Council occupied space at University Square, 20th and K streets, a building also owned by the KCSOS.

Michael Millar, ACK executive director, said the move was made necessary because the KCSOS is consolidating its properties. The present space is roughly equivalent in size to what the council had before.

"One positive aspect is that one set of doors opens right into the Betty Younger Sculpture Garden, which does afford us more possibilities for outdoor events," he said.

In addition, he said, it's an advantage for the council to be on one campus, given that the Younger Gallery, which it operates, is situated almost next door in the Bank of America building,

Incidentally, the council operates on the same schedule as the schools, so it will be closed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 4.