In February 2019, Arts Visalia’s gallery will be filled with the work of Kirk Cruz. His Sharpie in Light artwork depicts his interest and bold process in color theory and the way light plays a role in art, using Sharpie markers. His interest in color theory led him to only using the colored markers, even to depict black in his artwork. Kirk Cruz was born in Fresno and has studied painting and drawing for over 25 years. His inspiration comes from his father, Gilbert Cruz, who encouraged him to continue the pursuit of the arts in his youth. He has studied oil, acrylic, pastels and pencil, which have helped him in his color ink technique, most have described as comparison to an oil painting. Cruz calls his technique “Freedom Drawing because the technique depends greatly on letting go and trusting ones intuition. Which means re-understanding what Art is and who oneself is.” Kirk Cruz’s exhibition will be displayed January 30th through February 22nd, with an opening reception on First Friday, February 1st, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The exhibition is sponsored in part by Jack & Charlie’s, the Vintage Press Restaurante, and the Southern Pacific Depot Restaurant. Pieology and Arts Visalia are partnering to provide Pizza for a Purpose. When you visit Pieology at Gateway Plaza, 3733 Mooney Blvd. in Visalia, with the official Pieology fundraiser flyer, found at Arts Visalia and online www.artsvisalia.org, on Tuesday, February 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 20% of proceeds will be donated to Arts Visalia. Save the date on your calendar and don't forget to support Arts Visalia! Arts Visalia’s Young Imaginations Gallery will display the artworks of the 5-17 year old participants of our children’s classes year-round. Please stop in and take a look if you haven’t yet seen what they create each month. In March 2019, Arts Visalia will display an exhibition entitled Art is Healing. The art of this exhibition focuses on artists’ experiences with traumatic physical injuries and emotional stresses that contribute art as a healing mechanism. Since March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness month, we are hoping to enlighten the public on how art can impact people in a positive way, regardless of past experiences. Arts Visalia’s adult and children’s art classes for spring are underway at Arts Visalia. For more information and class descriptions, please go to artsvisalia.org, call us at (559) 739-0905, or visit us at the gallery at 214 E. Oak Ave., Visalia, CA 93291.