Sacramento's City Hall is currently embracing the night, or rather, creatures of the night, with a new art exhibit that serves up a double dose of culture and conservation. "Bat HabiTAT," coordinated by the City’s Emerging Curators Fellow Bridgètt Rex, showcases the artistic interpretations of local artists and spotlights the environmental importance of bats to ecosystems. As per Sacramento City Express, the exhibit runs from September 20 through December 13 at the Robert T. Matsui Gallery inside City Hall.
In what appears to be a cross-pollination of art and environmental advocacy, the curated collection features works from 10 tattoo artists as well as an origami virtuoso, all inspired by live bat species observed at the Yolo Basin Foundation—because what's better than art that educates and originates from real, flappy sources. Among the featured talent is Shaina Hernandez, whose piece "Twilight Pursuit" breathes innocent life into bat imagery, shying away from the typical dark, eerie portrayals these winged wonders often receive, she, shared her musings with Sacramento City Express: "Bats represent a peaceful dark and moodiness," Hernandez said. "It was important to me that the bats be portrayed as innocent. So often they are depicted as scary or verminous."
The exhibit is not just a passing gallery favor but also a part of a larger initiative by the Office of Arts and Culture to nurture budding curatorial talent through its Emerging Curators Fellowship, of which Rex is the current beneficiary. Diligent fellows like Rex, whose credentials include a B.A. in Art History/Theory and Criticism and an A.A. in Graphic Communications, are tasked with a simple mission: to weave two thematic exhibits over the course of their year-long mentorship with the hope of spinning an equitable and diverse future – both tangible and digital.
Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the "Bat HabiTAT" welcomes wheelchair visitors, reflecting its inclusive ethos as noted by Sacramento City Express. For those in the Sacramento area, this exhibit at City Hall offers a unique chance to appreciate local artists and gain insights into the winged mammals that inhabit our skies and support our planet.
