Art Heist returns Friday, Nov. 6, with a four-hour window to explore art across downtown Bakersfield. From 6 to 10 p.m., roughly 100 artists will show work at dozens of locations, with painting, jewelry, prints, live graffiti and more.
Founded by Carrie Blind, Art Heist began in 2024 and has expanded each year, placing art inside downtown businesses, restaurants and other venues. Blind told The Bakersfield Californian she was impressed by this year's lineup. Past reports have counted 31 locations and more than 90 artists in one edition, and about 40 venues in another; this year's event is described as bringing roughly 100 artists to dozens of stops.
Galleries, Student Work and a Nod to Dolores Huerta
At the Padre Hotel, visitors can see work by Kern High School District students. The historic Woolworth's building will host artist Larry Jason, whose colorful paintings depict local buildings.
Jason's Huerta portrait joins other recent downtown attention to the farmworker-rights icon. A mural depicting Huerta has been taking shape beside Martin's Meats and Deli, with Chicano artist Jorge Guillen finishing the work, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
Graffiti Walls, Tattoo Artists and a Fire-Scarred Building Reborn
Live painting is among the event's draws at Bottleshock Wine and Brew, where artists will work on walls during the evening. “Bottleshock is popular because its graffiti artists set up walls for live painting,” Blind said, according to The Bakersfield Californian. This year's participating artists there are Meltor, Minami, Robek, Cloud, Neychr, Muter, Miur and Peor. Blind coordinated this year's event with Bottleshock Wine and Brew after working with Becca Esparza on last year's installment; she said the event team has developed a close friendship with the people involved.
Female tattoo artists will be featured at the Haberfelde Building. The Haberfelde Building will feature Carrie Blind’s space, 502 Coffee and My Spot Downtown Grill. Tomas delToro Diaz owns the separate 19th Street building, where artists will paint the exterior and a second wall. The 19th Street building, across from the Bakersfield Museum of Art, formerly housed Great American Antiques, which was destroyed in a 2024 fire. Tunisian artist Maroua Ben Salah will show work at Moo Scratch Kitchen.
Wine Bar Collaboration Lingers Past Art Heist Night
At Campo Bar and Bottle, Marjorie Dow's paintings “Rocket Science” and “Doing the Wash” are part of a collaboration titled “Entre Copes — What Happens Between Glass?” Dow worked with Rachel McCullah Wainwright, Gallery RAM director, on the project. Campo co-owner Molly Rivera said the collection takes inspiration from what brings people together around a table: food, drink, travel and conversation. Dow said she wanted bright colors and strong shadows to heighten the paintings' sense of joy. Her work will remain on view at the wine bar through Nov. 21.
Rooster's Honky Tonk will feature work by Mike Morin. Because the event spans independent businesses, hours at individual stops may vary according to each venue's schedule. Downtown's wider arts scene also includes La Vie Bohème, a Met Gala-style fundraiser benefiting Art Heist. The event has featured custom fashion on a red-carpet runway, local theater performances, live DJs, French-inspired food and a silent auction at the historic Woolworth's building, according to turnto23.com. Past coverage has described Art Heist itself as combining exhibitions and live art with DJs, musicians, food and vendors throughout downtown.
Downtown’s Past and Plans for Its Future
Art Heist’s spread across businesses and venues takes place in a commercial district with a long civic history. A City of Bakersfield general-plan environmental review described downtown as historically the city’s center and its largest concentration of business and retail. The city’s Downtown Corridor Enhancement Master Plan supports infrastructure reinvestment over the next 30 years, with goals that include improving walkability and connecting key destinations, according to the City of Bakersfield.
