Art and Sol returns to the Pahrump Valley

After taking several years’ hiatus from hosting its annual Art and Sol festival, the Pahrump Arts Council brought the tradition back to the valley this month and an entire day was spent immersed in the rich artistic atmosphere this local nonprofit organization is so well known for.

On Saturday, May 19, dozens of members of the Pahrump Arts Council, known more simply as PAC, gathered at the Calvada Eye, where they erected booths and set out displays for the crowds to enjoy.

While a portion of the beautiful, handcrafted pieces were not for sale, much of items presented were up for grabs and the vendors appeared to do a fairly brisk business throughout the festival. Patrons were obviously appreciative of the skill and talent exhibited by the many and varied artists, admiring the wares and expressing their delight in the visually stimulating environment.

This is exactly the aim of PAC, whose mission statement is, “To create an environment for the arts to flourish in our community.” To do so, the organization provides a place for the imaginative and creative residents to come together, exchange ideas and foster arts of all types, at all levels. Those members then volunteer their time and expertise to organize a vast array of activities and events to promote the arts. With PAC celebrating its 25-year anniversary in 2018, it seemed a perfect year for the return of the Art and Sol festival.

The Calvada Eye was a bustling site Saturday afternoon, with attendees browsing through the merchandise as those manning the vendor booths chatted amiably about their products and masterpieces. At the PAC booth was the coordinator of the 2018 Art and Sol event, Esperansa Luna, who was smiling brightly and evidently proud of the turnout.

“Things are going great, we are very excited,” Luna said happily. “This is the 19th year for this event. There was a little four-year break but we are resurrecting it now!”

Luna detailed her own experience with PAC, noting that she had only moved to the valley two years prior but she was immediately inspired to join the organization and is now a member of the board of directors. As an artist, she said she does not necessarily have a favorite medium as she enjoys working with so many. “I do oils, acrylics, woodwork, I do sculpture, pottery and ceramics. My next big challenge is doing metal work,” she explained as she showcased a few of her artworks. Many of her paintings, along with those of other PAC members, are on display at the library where everyone can observe them.

Painting, sculpture and other visual forms of art are far from the only types that PAC encompasses. Its members include a huge variety of other forms of art as well, such as crafting products for the body.

Further along the line of vendor booths was that of Tawny Darlyn, a brand new member who was making her PAC debut at the Art and Sol event with her Salacious Skin goods. A licensed esthetician, Darlyn had a myriad of handmade bath and body products for patrons to experience.

“I have been making bath and body products for 18 years and now I work in a shop, where I also do facials and waxing,” she said, offering a demonstration of a salt scrub smelling of a creamy pineapples scent.

The performing arts are also a big part of what PAC does and one of its members, the Desert Squares square dance group, was providing entertainment that afternoon. PAC President Wayne Walker, acting as emcee for the event, was calling out the steps while the members swirled and promenaded around the dance floor, the women’s quintessential dresses sashaying back and forth in a blur of color.

After all was said and done, the 19th Art and Sol festival was declared a success for both members and the community.

For more information on PAC visit www.pvpac.org

Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com