BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Board of Supervisors is being asked to recognize a dedication ceremony in honor of a special art exhibition celebrating the Bakersfield Sound to be held at Beale Memorial Library next week.

“Legends of the Bakersfield Sound: Portraits in Black & White” is a collection featuring 10 large-scale, black-and-white acrylic-on-canvas portraits honoring the pioneering musicians who defined the Bakersfield Sound, according to the agenda for Tuesday’s Board meeting.

 Watch ‘After Sunrise’ on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices 

The Bakersfield Sound is characterized by a “bold and influential style of country music that emerged from Kern County and reshaped the genre nationwide,” the agenda said.

They were painted by local artist Patti Peak Doolittle, according to county officials.

Painting of Buck Owens by Patti Doolittle / Photo courtesy of Felix Adamo, Citizens Preserving History

The Board and members of the public are all invited to attend the dedication ceremony. It is set from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Beale Memorial Library at 701 Truxtun Ave.

The event will feature comments from community leaders, historians and the artist, followed by a public celebration with live music, storytelling and historical reflections on the Bakersfield Sound, according to organizers.

According to the Kern County Library, the story behind the portraits adds to its cultural significance.

The portraits were originally exhibited at Trout’s Nightclub in Oildale, but were stolen in 2017 and went missing for several years. They were ultimately recovered in Northern California, officials said.

 Mother’s Day events around Bakersfield 

Doolittle’s husband and fellow artist Marvin Steel restored the works in 2022.

Kern County Library is working with an organization called Citizens Preserving History to present this exhibition, which the library says “reflects a shared commitment to celebrating and preserving the stories, artists and cultural contributions that define Kern County.”

The Board is set to proclaim the dedication ceremony for the collection during its 9 a.m. meeting Tuesday at 1115 Truxtun Ave.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.