The Mistlin Gallery in Modesto, 1015 J St., will feature Abstracts and Valley Impressions from Jan. 2 through Feb. 1, 2019. Sierra Vista Child and Family Services will be included in this exhibition, featuring art produced by kids at risk.

The Sierra Vista part of the show is called Maps. Adult mentors have been working with at risk students through Sierra Vista’s after school programs. This opportunity will allow the mentor and mentee to develop a sense of identification with their geographic location. The exhibition will be partitioned into two separate mentor/mentee experiences. The first part of the project asks mentees to draw or paint a map of his or her neighborhood. The second part of the project asks for mentors to create a portion of the map of Modesto. These maps will then be collected and puzzled together in to a complete map of the city so that mentees will be able to identify how their neighborhoods fit into the larger geographical context of Modesto. Conceptually, the “Maps” project examines both the personal connections kids have with their neighborhoods and how their perceptions fit together to form or restrict a larger sense of community. By presenting these maps as one collection, viewers have an opportunity to see and think about the work not only as individual images but also as a way to consider how certain younger viewpoints tie into the larger identity and psychology of a community.

The Abstracts and Valley Impressions Mistlin Member’s Art Show will accompany this Sierra Vista mentor and mentee art show. The abstracts will be a non-objective demonstration in various mediums which will be in large format as well as smaller images. Mixed in with the abstract paintings and drawings will be members who create images of various Central Valley scenes in landscape and urban narratives. These paintings and drawings may also make use of maps or neighborhood scenes in the local community or throughout the Modesto area and local neighborhoods. There may be images of iconic places that will be easily recognizable; places that makes Modesto uniquely Modesto.

The featured member artist for January will be Eva Hass. Her work will be hung in the east front window of the gallery. All are welcome to join in the Third Thursday Art Walk on Jan. 17, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the gallery, 1015 J St., Modesto.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m.