The Bakersfield Art Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1944, and is dedicated to meeting the needs of local artists and art lovers.  The BAA's Gallery of Art is presently located at the East Hills Mall and showcases the original art of over 40 local Kern County artists, professional and non-professional.  The BAA supports scholarships for both adults and children at the Kern County Fair each year.  It also provides venues at the gallery and in local businesses to feature the art of its members, including juried and featured artists' shows at the gallery in the East Hills Mall.  The BAA Art Center at the gallery provides an art supply center, art classes, art workshops, monthly programs with demonstrations, critiques; and also supports shows in the community, arts in business, a newsletter, and a plein air painters' group. Can be contacted at 3000 Mall View Road or at P.O. Box 386, Bakersfield, CA 93302, telephone 661-872-2806. The website is http://www.bakersfieldartassociation.org/.  The BAA offers members the opportunity to interact, to learn and to share the excitement of art and the creative process with other artists (including professional and non-professional).