The entrance to Galería de la Ciudád in Mexicali features paintings by Mayra Garcia, Tom Gilbertson, and Daniel Marquez --Photo by Tom Gilbertson

The long-awaited exhibition of works by Imperial Valley artists at the Galería de la

Opening night attendees surround artwork by Bernardo Olmedo --Photo by Tom Gilbertson

Ciudád in Mexicali (Avenida Alvaro Obregón #1209) arrived Friday, September 4.

About 60 works by 26 artists from the Imperial Valley will be on display until October 9.

The exhibition was curated by a committee of arts professionals, including Eduardo Kintero, director of visual arts for the the state of Baja California.

If it is true that the final work in any exhibition of visual arts is the installation of the exhibition itself, then the final piece of this exhibition is exquisite. The presentation complemented the individual pieces, with

Other artists spotlighted in the exhibit are Israel Madrid Carillo, Jorge Estrada, and Alfonso Higereda. The show runs through October 9. --Photo by Tom Gilbertson

each artist’s works grouped together within a larger arrangement by media. The end result maintained the integrity of each piece regardless of its size or visual impact. It is a very well put together show and I highly recommend seeing it.

Other ongoing exhibits in Mexicali are at the CERARTES (Center for the Arts of the State of Baja California) on Nuevo Río. The Baja California Biennial includes many contemporary artists from throughout the state, and a photography exhibit opens this Friday at the center. –Thomas Gilbertson

Youngsters at National Night Out at Carlos Aguilar Park in El Centro make friends with Border Patrol K9 Agent Syd --Photo by USBP Agent Emily Suarez

National Night Out a success.  It is because of your generosity that this event was as big, and as well attended, as it was.

In talking to members of the community around Carlos Aguilar Park the last few days, all we’ve heard is how much they appreciated our event. We believe that because of the success of our National Night Out that we will continue to build strong, positive relationships with them. We are looking forward to doing this all again next year! Once again thank you, without your donations none of this would have been possible.

The El Centro Police Department would like to thank the following donors:

1. Target
2. USBP
3. CHP
4. Junior’s Café
5. Famous Daves
6. Gourmet Hawaiian Shaved Ice
7. Coldstone Creamery
8. State Farm-Lawna Cervantes
9. Iglesia Sendero de la Cruz
10. US Navy Recruiters
11. EC PAL
12. EC Parks and Recreation
13. SURE Helpline
14. IVROP
15. Girl Scouts of America
16. MRT Racing
17. EC Fire Department
18. J&H Rent-a-Can
19. IV Recycling
20. New Creations
21. Elms Equipment Rentals
22. ECPD CIPS

Sincerely,

Shannon Swank
Community Service Officer, Crime Prevention
El Centro Police Department

El Centro Parks and Recreation art teacher and winning students: Lourdes Guzman, Alessandra Loza, Yuri Oh and Jaeyoung Oh

Three youngsters in the El Centro Parks & Recreation Department’s art class won honorable mentions in the “Art 4 Play” national contest sponsored by the National Recreation and Parks Association.

Second-grader Alessandra Loza, 7, was recognized for her cheerful

Alessandra Loza's Honorable Mention

depiction of six happy girls.

Yuri Oh, an 8-year-old in fourth grade, received an honorable mention for her children playing in a swimming pool against a starry night’s sky.

Fifth-grader Jaeyoung Oh, 10, received kudos for his boys’ basketball

Yuri Oh's Honorable Mention

game.

“Many of my students had in them hidden art skills,” said Lourdes Guzman,

Jaeyoung Oh's Honorable Mention

the children’s parks and recreation art teacher, “which with the proper training were able to bring those out on paper.”

The NRPA contest is part of the Park and Recreation Month in July and promotes outdoor play.  The contest gave children from kindergarten through 12th grade the opportunity to express their vision of play in original drawings or paintings.

Alessandra, Yuri and Jaeyoung were recognized out of 350 entries from around the country.

“The recognition given to my students by the NRPA was a combination of hard work, enthusiasm and the love of art,” Guzman said.