Carnegie art night paints the town red, blue, yellow ...

The 100-year-old Carnegie Arts Center celebrated colorful characters with a family night of spraying, splattering and stomping with paint.

The Say Yes to the Mess event was part of the Turlock center’s Family Friday series, designed for folks to let their artistry fly – literally. Parents and kids alike joined in the merrymaking mayhem of getting wet, getting their hands and feet painted and charging off, color-laden.

The free-flowing evening came amid centennial celebrations for Turlock’s Carnegie, which continue with the Kaleidoscope Open House from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, July 30, and an essay contest for students in grades 3-12 to create time capsule materials.

The Kaleidoscope night pays homage to the Carnegie’s 1970s moment as a teen hangout called the Kaleidoscope that had dances, games and a clubhouse vibe. Event entry is $10, or free to Carnegie members. Attendees are asked to come in ’70s garb, from the early era’s bright polyester hip huggers to earth-tone tunics. Long hair and sideburns optional.

“For many of us, this era is our touchstone – I graduated from Turlock High School at the end of the 1970s. The music and clothing of that decade will always be special to me,” said Carnegie Director Lisa McDermott. “But this party will be really fun for younger guests as well. Everyone can have a great time dressing up and enjoying the new exhibit – it will blow your mind!”

The Kaleidoscope Party will showcase a preview of the center’s next exhibition, Matt Elson’s Infinity Boxes. Elson’s interactive sculptural works let the viewer enter a kaleidoscopic space. The artist will be on site to mingle with guests and for photos. The show will be in Turlock for three weeks.

Essays for the time capsule competition need three elements:

▪  What is life like now?

▪  What will life be like for someone your age 100 years from now?

▪  What might the Carnegie be used for in 100 years?

Entry is free. The deadline is Sept. 2. Judging will be in three groups: grades 3-6, seventh grade to freshmen, and sophomores to seniors. The latter group will compete for a $50 cash prize, while the younger winners will receive $25 gift certificates to the Yogurt Mill.

The time capsule dedication will be Sept. 9.

The Carnegie Library opened in 1916 and served as Turlock’s town library until 1968. The Carnegie became an art gallery in 1979. Expanded and renovated after a fire, the Carnegie Arts Center provides exhibitions, education programs and lectures, and dance, music and theater activities.

This story was originally published July 23, 2016 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Carnegie art night paints the town red, blue, yellow ...."