ART AT THE CENTER will have an opening reception Saturday, September 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. for artist Rigo Rivas whose Return to the Garden artwork will be on display at The Diamond Valley Arts Center (DVAC) during the month of September 2019. DVAC is located at 123 N. Harvard St., in Hemet’s historic downtown. 

Rigo Rivas’s interest in drawings and paintings began at a very young age and was inspired by his oldest brother. “Though he never took any art classes, my brother would draw, paint, and give artistic advice. I admired his artwork, and he gave me my first tips about art.” 

Mr. Rivas was born in a small town, surrounded by forest, near “fincas” (coffee plantations) and a beautiful lake called Coatepeque in El Salvador where he lived until the age of twenty. Growing up in a large family, he enjoyed many trips to visit relatives. Going to the beach, walking along the countryside, and roasting corn in the hills, all provided him with countless memories. 

Although the artist has taken art classes that utilized pastels and oil painting at the L.A. Community College, his preferred medium is the fast-drying acrylic paint. Presently he exhibits his paintings regularly at the Latino Art Museum in Pomona.

DVAC is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ART AT THE CENTER is always FREE and appropriate for children. For more information on DVAC and its’ programs go to www.thedvac.org and for sponsorship opportunities, contact dvacinfo@gmail.com.

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Famed Photographer David McChesney is currently exhibited at The Diamond Valley Arts Center, located at 123 N. Harvard St., Hemet Ca 92543. The Show entitled “Treasures of the True Southwest” presents striking images of desert life. As a part of the “Culture Series” at DVAC, Mr. McChesney will present an interactive multimedia experience highlighting photography, music, wildlife and his experiences. This presentation , sponsored by “The Village” will take place on Sunday, August 25th at 2:30pm. Tickets are available ONLINE at the DVAC website (www.thedvac.org) or through PurplePass (www.purplepass.com) or at the Art Center.  

The celebrated nature/ wildlife photographer and author is a former advanced photo instructor for the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park. His work has been published around the globe and is seen in national parklands and wildlife refuges, in museums, at the National Park Gallery at the Interior Dept. in Washington D.C. and the Capitol Building in Sacramento. David’s images have been used to protect and preserve wildlife corridors and many wildlife species such as Desert Tortoise, Bobcat, Bighorn Sheep, Whooping Cranes of Texas and the wild horses of Arizona’s Salt River.

Honored as the Morongo Basin Cultural Contributor of the Year by the Basin Wide Foundation {2015), he produces the largest line of American Birdlife cards in the country and has photographed 55 of 59 American national parks. His images were marketed by Getty Images, Planet Earth Pictures and Colorific before moving to Joshua Tree in 2001 to self-market his imagery.

“Since my earliest days of owning a camera, I  have taken pleasure in photographing nature in all its fascinating forms. It was in 1973 that I took my first trip for the purpose of photographing national parks. Every day on the trail was an adventure offering memories to last a lifetime. Always planning the upcoming journey, I had early fascinations with Hawaii and Alaska, bears and wolves, whales, the Galapagos and Pribilof Islands. I found unlimited natural treasures in the national parks and would visit them regularly. Initially, I loved photographing the mammals and saved money for long lenses that allowed me to get closer to my subjects. Over the years, I discovered that I had accumulated hundreds of images of beautiful birdlife species while on journeys.

To date, I have published books on the Western Hemisphere…(Muir Roots: At One With the Wild), the desert…(The Mojave Desert: Miles of Wonder)…and birdlife…(American Birdlife: Treasures of the True South­ west).” – David McChesney

DVAC Culture Series is a fundraiser for The DVAC and its programs. Guests access to the current gallery exhibition as well as the event. Doors open for General Admission at 2:00 pm with the performance beginning at 2:30 pm.

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Dylann Asa and Lia Booth will perform Saturday, August 24th, 2019, at The Diamond Valley Arts Center, located at 123 N. Harvard St., Hemet, Ca 92543. Doors open at 7:30 pm with the show starting at 8:00 pm. Admission is $15 for Members and $20 for Non-Members. Student tickets are $5 for Pre-Sale and $10 at the door. As always, members can enter the coupon code online at checkout for your discount.

Join us for an evening with jazz vocalist Lia Booth and bassist Dylann Asa at Diamond Valley Arts Center on April 13th. They will be bringing an eclectic blend of old standards and new compositions with a talented ensemble of musicians. Bring friends and family out to join us for this special show.

Dylann Asa is a young bassist, arranger, and composer who performs regularly in Los Angeles, Inland Empire, and Palm Springs. She has had the great honor of studying upright bass with Darek Oles, Or Bareket, Rick Shaw and Marshall Hawkins. In 2018, Dylann was chosen as a featured artist in the Young Artist Showcase at the Washington Women in Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C.

Lia Booth is quickly establishing herself as one of Southern California’s most talked-about young jazz singers. She has been making a strong impression and building a solid fan base with her fun, dynamic, and heartfelt performances. Her daring yet effortless musical style is rooted deeply in the past but with a contemporary sensibility that breathes new life into classic jazz standards night after night.

Lia had her start singing in the college vocal jazz ensembles Singcopation (Mt. San Antonio College, Bruce Rogers, Director) and Pacific Standard Time (Cal State Long Beach, Christine Guter, Director). These experiences included several recording projects and appearances at the famed Monterey Jazz Festival and other notable concert venues.

Since 2010 Lia has been performing in popular jazz venues across Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, working both with the area’s younger generation of “jazz lions” and with a host of veteran jazz musicians.

While actively leading her own groups, Lia is also a featured member of The Tony Guerrero Quintet and The Swingliners. She has just released a new album of standards in a duo setting with guitarist Will Brahm (available on all music platforms for purchase NOW!) and is currently in the planning stages for an upcoming big band album.

MUSIC AT THE CENTER is a fundraiser for The DVAC and its programs.  Beverages will be available for purchase. Guests have access to the current gallery exhibition as well as the concert.  Doors open at 7:30 pm with the concert begins at 8:00 pm.

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