#FlowerShareKern by Yvonne Cavanagh • Cash For The Arts
Bakersfield High School art instructor and well-known local ceramic artist, Yvonne Cavanagh, shares the beauty of the outdoors as a way to lift Bakersfield’s spirits.
The program, #FlowerShareKern is encouraging people not only to flex their DIY skills but bring some much-needed cheer to friends and neighbors.
“It's beautiful out and it's spring so all the flowers are blooming. I have been clipping flowers from my yard as well as flowers from neighbors (with permission of course) and I have been making bouquets to enjoy in my house or have given them away to friends to enjoy.”
The more she shared her bouquets, the more others joined in. Now Cavanagh has created a DIY video sharing vase decorating tips and tricks as well as pointers for building beautiful floral displays.
“I find that I feel mentally at my best right now when I am creating art. It calms my mind, so I just keep making things. Everyone can benefit from the act of creating with your hands to still your mind. And how beautiful will it be to share your flower creations with the community? Our city is gorgeous right now.”
Cavanagh believes it’s of the utmost importance to keep the arts going, even when people are sheltering in place. When the stay-at-home orders lift she hopes her grassroots program will inspire others to keep art, and the goodwill that comes with it, growing.
“My hope is and always will be for the arts to become a bigger importance in Bakersfield. I am a huge advocate for this town and the art scene here and I do what I can, when I can, to help promote the arts.”
Cash for the Arts is a unique grant program by The Hub of Bakersfield that’s putting money in the hands of local creators while providing an arts experience for residents coping with social distancing and stay-at-home orders.