During the last century the major urban centers of the world were traditionally hubs for creativity where low-cost urban living and compact communities were places where artists could live inexpensively and create art. The lifestyle was such that artists could gather to discuss, share and shape the vision of their art.
Many large metropolitan cities have since seen extensive gentrification and rising urban rents have forced the migration of lower income individuals and families from these areas. Together with the desire to live a healthier lifestyle “closer to nature” and the ability to remain connected to the world via the Internet, artists are moving to smaller, rural towns and many are fast becoming cultural hubs in their own right.
Bishop has a burgeoning art community that is steeped in the cultural traditions of the American West and those early intrepid adventurers who wrote about, charted and photographed this beautiful region – one of the most photographed in California. There is a common thread that blends the outdoor lifestyle, natural beauty, and old-world charm of Bishop that is inspiration for much of the art produced here.
Bishop is one of the many small towns across the USA that has come to epitomize cultural coolness with a sense of family values – all in a setting that is second to none.
There’s always something to enjoy here, whether it’s a three-day music festival, an open-air art walk through downtown, an arts & crafts fair, a visit to the workshop of a modern art furniture maker, a stroll through the gallery of a world-renowned photographer, attend a social painting class or photography workshop, listen to a local band at a local café or watch a theatrical performance, there is so much more than meets the eye.
Plan your weekend getaways around Bishop’s annual art events, or just make sure to be on the lookout and save some time for an Eastside art adventure. Start out at the Bishop Visitor Center and find when and where to go to get your art fix.
Galleries & Exhibitions
Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center
Well before explorers and settlers ventured into what is now called the Owens Valley, early Native American people were living, thriving and producing works of art according to age-old cultural traditions. The history of the first people of this land can be seen in the wonderful displays of art and craft at the Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center on West Line Street.
The center is a ‘living center’ that serves as a showcase for historical archives, artifacts and media as well as a place to gather, teach and continue the traditional ways. The museum gift shop offers locally made arts and crafts for purchase.
“We Honor our Past, Share for the Present, and Preserve for the Future.” Stop in and say, “Manahuu” (Hello).
Tradional Basketry
“We believe that arts create a language that connects people and enriches lives – We are dedicated to advancing the arts in Inyo County by promoting appreciation, education, and collaboration – ICA brings quality programs and new experiences to our community – We provide a venue for local artists to show their work, for musicians to perform, and for the community to gather in appreciation of the arts – We are a non-profit organization which relies heavily on membership for our continued success.”
This non-profit organization has an extensive list of local artists on its website and the gallery is a showcase for their talents. The council offers its venue for art classes and sessions, it is the facilitator for ongoing art and music education for children of the community and presents the Millpond Music Festival every September. Stop in and see what’s on display!
Looking in on the Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel’s Art and Soul Gallery
The gallery began as an exercise in interior décor to spruce up the chapel on South Main Street by Pastor John and his wife Laura. It has since become a space of beauty and tranquility. Art by the Chapel community members is tastefully exhibited and the lovely gallery is a place for all to come in, relax, and reflect.
Laura also scours thrift stores for beautiful and unusual artifacts and objects and most of the art and craft is available for sale. Sales benefit both the artists and the mission of the Chapel.
Eateries & Establishments
Businesses whose core business is not art, but is in food service, technology or retail goods, have also provided space and opportunity for local artists to show their works. Fine art and craft enhance the ambiance of the coffee shops, a brewery, bookstores and retailers as well as provide economic benefit for both the artists and merchants.
Stop into one of these fine locally owned and operated businesses and sample their wares and peruse the art; Black Sheep Coffee Roasters, Looney Bean, Mountain Rambler Brewery, Pupfish Café, Spellbinder Books, Thai Thai Restaurant at Bishop Airport, or The Sound Shoppe Radio Shack.
Mural on West Line Street
On buildings throughout Bishop, the history of the Owens Valley is depicted on the exterior walls in the form of historically accurate and visually beautiful murals. The Bishop Mural Society was established in 1997 “to display our heritage in a spectacular outdoor art gallery surrounded by natural beauty.” Today there are fifteen murals, the most recent of which is made up of 421 sculpted ceramic tiles and mosaics, created by 216 community members. The society is a founding member of the California Public Art and Mural Society and mural projects are ongoing through the generous support of the community. Pick up a map at the Bishop Visitor Center or follow the links online on the society’s webpage.
+ Mural Map
Music & Theatre
Contemporary Music
There is no shortage of musical talent in Bishop and many musicians moonlight with bands, as solo artists, and DJs in venues throughout town. Restaurants, bars and cafés host performances that suit the venue’s environment and clientele and so offer up an eclectic mix of musical genres. Let the well-known songs from recent and previous decades carry you through time or be transported by the rhythms and lyrics of original songs from talented local songwriters.
Live music and DJs can often be heard at these great eateries, check out their websites or pop in and ask when and who is playing: Black Sheep Coffee Roasters, Mountain Rambler Brewery, Whiskey Creek, Rusty’s Bar, and Pupfish Cafe.
Classical Music
The prize winning Felici Trio is a classical music lovers delight. The group has performed over 350 concerts in Europe, South America and the US. For almost 20 years the group has been in residence in Mammoth Lakes and brings world-class classical music to Inyo & Mono counties. Through the non-profit arts organization, Chamber Music Unbound, the trio presents a full winter concert series, a summer festival with international guests, a chamber workshop, a music school and “Kids Concerts.” Performances are held in Mammoth Lakes and Bishop.
Musical Theatre
Two theatre organizations bring talent to the Bishop stage.
The Bishop Community Concerts Organization presents a series of internationally acclaimed artists for one-night-only engagements in Bishop. It also offers a reciprocity agreement for Season Members to attend other Community Concert Associations’ presentations (based on seating availability) in nearby California and Nevada towns. Performances range from classical musicians, traditional and folk ensembles, singers, entertainers and comedians.
Playhouse 395 presents an annual Spring musical and Summer Children’s Theatre workshop that showcases local talent from start to finish of every production. Local residents undertake every aspect and role from the direction, set design, stage crew, and costuming to actors, singers and dancers. Audiences have come to treasure and look forward to each new production. Large-scale musicals such as Hello Dolly, The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma, South Pacific and Chicago have been artfully and successfully staged. Work has just begun on Mary Poppins, the next production to hit the Bishop stage in March 2017.
Festivals & Events
The next Millpond Music Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary as Bishop’s most prestigious three-day music festival. Presented by the Inyo Council for the Arts this festival brings an eclectic mix of music by performers from many parts of the country and abroad. Held at Millpond County Park in September every year, a time when fall colors are typically at their best, it is both intimate in its setting and grand in its surroundings. With the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop by day and an impressive canopy of stars and the shining Milky Way by night, this festival is all about the mingling of music and Mother Nature.
Every Memorial Day Weekend since 1969 Bishop pays tribute to its Wild West heritage and presents the annual Mule Days festival. Art, craft and music are a big part of this celebration of the mule. Performers from the local community and celebrated artists from further afield entertain audiences in halls and on stages throughout the festival venue. A crafts fair is held on the grounds of the beautiful Bishop City Park providing an opportunity for local & visiting crafters to show their wares. This is a weekend full of old-world fun and new-world art vision.
Arts & Crafts fair at Mule Days
Another great weekend for homegrown art and craft talent is the annual Labor Day weekend Tri-County Fair. This fair is a traditional old-style country fair where residents vie for ‘best of show’ in a great variety of creative disciplines, including; cooking, photography, quilting, décor, and flower arranging to name just a few.
Other annual events: To paraphrase a well-known quote, “[Art] is in the eye of the beholder.” Of the many fun and interesting events held in Bishop art, or beauty – as the quote is more accurately expressed, is often a central theme. Events such as the holiday season Christmas Parade, the Fall Colors Car show, and the Banff Film Festival are all visually stimulating and beautiful in their own right. Look through our list of annual events here to find out more about them all.
Made In Bishop
Born from a desire to “transform ‘Product’ into ‘Art’” this locally owned and operated design and printing firm specializes in high quality, hand-fed, letterpress products printed on vintage equipment. Translating art from digital files to analog processes is also an art form they have mastered. Their skill and experience as designers and printmakers span the decades from pre-digital to current technology and the blend is more than retro, it is timeless. The Project Room also houses a gallery for artists and the current and past shows can also be viewed on the company’s website.
Quilting is an age-old art form and this retail store provides a vast array of materials and a wealth of knowledge for both beginner and experienced quilters. First opened in June Lake in 2006, owner Barri Sue Gaudet moved to Bishop in 2009 where she continues to serve a talented community of quilters and crafters. Stop in and see how the craft and the Sierra can inspire you.
The Next Big Thing
Collaboration of arts and artists has always been a feature of vibrant cultural communities and Bishop is no different from the great art cities of the world. Artists convene to discuss art and challenge the status quo, merchants offer avenues for expression, and collectors search out trends.
To find out more about all the artists and venues discussed here click on the individual links provided throughout this article or read more about the many activities and attractions in Bishop on our website. Come into our Visitor Center at 690 N. Main Street in Bishop for maps, brochures and answers to your questions.
Support our local artists and crafters. You never know … you may just get an early original of the next big thing.
