“Downtown Banning is the place to be today, so come join us!”
BANNING, Calif., — “Downtown Banning is the place to be today,” says Banning Art Gallery coordinator Cindy Watson; referring to the gallery’s continuing exhibit featuring local Master Artists Edwin C. Tuazon and Paul “Bear” Bradford.
Today’s free event, which includes a gallery reception, live entertainment, refreshments, and opportunity to meet the featured artists, begins at 5 p.m. and continues through 7 p.m. and the public is encouraged to attend.
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“It’s Gallery party day!”, Watson told RCNS today from the beautifully layed out and party-prepped gallery. “Sure, you can call it a reception, but let me tell you we have a band, hula dancers and refreshments, and the outdoor patio is all set up and ready for the community to enjoy free live music and entertainment.”
“We have the gallery filled with beautiful artwork, where you can meet and mingle with several local artists including our featured artists Paul Bear Bradford and Edwin Tuazon,” the gallery coordinator continued; adding, “There is also a film festival at the Fox Theater and Karaoke across the street at the Tap House.”
The two Master Artists being featured at today’s special event and throughout their ongoing artwork exhibit, which continues through September, both have extensive ties to the Pass area and are both well known for their incredible and unique creations.
Edwin Tuazon is seen with two of his abstract paintings currently on exhibit at the Banning Art Gallery. Banning Art Gallery photo
Born in Brgy, San Policarpo, Calbayog City, Samar Philippines, Edwin C. Tuazon went to College in Calboyog City, earning a BA in mathematics. While proving theorems and solving equations may have contributed to his remarkable ability in painting abstracts, mathematics could not compare to his heart-felt desire for creating art.
As a Master Artist, Tuazon’s painting skills include watercolors and oil painting and he has created many large murals including the Children’s Healing Garden Mural in Riverside, Ca., as well as others murals in the So Cal areas and around the world.
He describes his works as “a response to the world around him…each piece telling a different story,” adding, “I want my pieces to arouse the viewers emotions.”
“Edwin Tuazon is one of my very favorite artists,” said Watson. “I knew we needed to have him return to our downtown gallery. I am a huge fan of his abstracts…abstract art of his caliber is not often found,” she added.
Now living in the San Diego area Tuazon has a large mural painted in the SKA Bar, which not only offers exquisite roof top dining but is where you can find and experience his most recent art gallery.
“It is so wonderful to have these very accomplished master artists back in the Banning Art Gallery for this show,” said Watson. “I have know them both since those early days in Banning and have watched their talents and compassion for others grow,” she continued.
Paul Bear Bradford poses with a Horse Hair pottery piece, one of two pieces that sold, as the exhibit was being set up. Banning Art Gallery photo
Colorado born, with Nez Perce ancestry, Paul Bear Bradford, who moved to Banning 21 years ago, setting up his studio Bear Creek Pottery. He holds a strong belief that “inner vision and consciousness” are one with Mother Earth and states that his Influences are the “ancient ones of the southwest and the orient.” He traveled across the southwest where he studied with renown artisans Sharon Dryflower of the Taos Pueblo and Hopi artists Mark and Diane Thabo.
“His diverse skills create works of art that tell a story to the beholder,” Watson recently told RCNS. “You will find that his pieces reflect a balance and beauty that is obviously inspired by nature,” she added.
His love of community was recognized by the City of Banning in the form of a Mayoral Proclamation for his part in after school programs, where he taught and provided opportunities in the arts.
SEE RELATED: Local Master Artists Tuazon and Bradford to be featured at “very special” Banning Art Gallery exhibit
Among Bradford’s many talents he has become a much sought teacher in his field and while living in the San Fernando Valley his students included Jacqueline Bisset, Kati Segal, and Marley Mattlen. He also had the opportunity to work with the entertainment field including an HGTV segment. His commercials included Glendale Saving and Loan, Old El Paso (Nacho Man series), and making pottery for Carrow’s restaurant. He also made ceramic pieces for Cornflakes and for a Japanese sci-fi movie.
“He continues to introduce his students to the Banning Art Gallery, where many have become members and was instrumental in our own youth programs as well,” continued Watson; adding that Bradford has often provided arts to youth at many Banning events such as the Phineas Festival and Art hop. Additionally, he was selected by former Mayor Riordan’s office of Los Angeles to participate in the millennium celebration as their official potter and at Every Women’s Village and was known as the “potter to the stars”.
Bradford continues to do historical pottery demonstrations for Stagecoach Days in Banning and can also be found doing historical and technical demonstrations in Calico Ghost Town. He currently is a committee volunteer helping to organize the Cultural Alliance of the Pass Fall Festival.
Bradford has his work featured in private and corporate collections throughout the world and had an exhibition at the Canterbury Museum of Art in Christ Church, New Zealand. Locally, his work has been at the Edward Dean Museum and can be seen at Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, and as a member in the Banning Art Gallery.
“YUP, Downtown Banning is a great place to enjoy your Saturday evening,” Watson enthused. “So come join us!”
Click any image to open full-size gallery.
Edwin Tuazon poses with two of his abstract paintings on exhibit at the gallery. 
Paul “Bear” Bradford poses with a Horse Hair pottery piece, one of two pieces that sold, as the exhibit was being set up. 
A view of the new exhibit at the Banning Art Gallery. 
Photo of Healing Garden provided by Ed Tuazon 
Two master Artists “Bear” Bradford ceramicist & Artist Edwin Tuazon. 
“Window shopping allowed and encouraged, so stop on by!”
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 50, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.