My mother, Marbo Barnard, has been a working artist most of my life. As she was building her career over the past 50 years, she'd bring us kids along to every type of art show imaginable, from cheesy shopping mall "art & craft" shows, to openings at the Crocker Museum and Sacramento Fine Arts Center. One of my favorite shows to attend was always the California Fine Arts exhibition at Cal Expo. For obvious reasons, going to the Fair for an art show was much more appealing to a rambunctious kid than sitting quietly through a long awards ceremony at the Crocker.

This year, the California Fine Arts competition at Cal Expo received 1,577 entries. Mediums accepted run the gamut from sculpture, to painting, digital art, photography, textiles, and many others. Of those 1,577 entries, 180 were chosen for inclusion in the exhibit. Mom and I were both thrilled to find out our pieces were accepted into the show this year. It's an honor to have my work accepted, and a privilege to share the experience with her.

California Fine Art
July 12 – July 28, 2013
California State Fair
Cal Expo, Expo Center Building 7, Sacramento, CA