Dr. Steven Taggart spent nearly 50 years practicing family and emergency medicine. Based in Atwater, he trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners from UC Davis and helped open rural health clinics throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

With the stress of his profession, the retired clinician and educator needed time away from medicine. Decades ago, Taggart turned to photography.

“It was an escape for me from the high tension of being a family practice person and having 50 employees at one point,” Taggart, 74, says of his hobby.

Taggart’s mother was a painter and photographer. His father was also a photographer.

“My mom’s art was very well accepted and she had shows in San Francisco,” Taggart says. “My dad’s camera was always with him and I learned that from him. Combined, there were two skills together in me.”

Taggart’s work was showcased among about 70 professional artists at Art Fiesta last month. Debuting in 1952 to support the Sacramento Suburban Kiwanis Club, Art Fiesta was held at Town & Country Village for 50 years. This year’s event took place at Scottish Rite Masonic Center.

Participating artists contribute a percentage of their sales to support youth leadership programs, notably the Kiwanis Family House, located near UC Davis Medical Center and Shriners Hospital. It’s not uncommon for artists to add additional funds.

Coats For Kids, Crisis Nursery, Next Move Homeless Services, Opening Doors, Process Theatre, River City Food Closet, Sacramento Children’s Home, Sierra Arden Neighborhood Food Closet, Stanford House and Wellspring Women’s Center were among this year’s beneficiaries.

Taggart’s images include travel, landscape and animal photography from around the world. He’s visited all 50 states and dozens of countries, usually with his wife Karen. He uses Art Fiesta and other exhibitions to share his experiences.

“I enjoy talking to people,” Taggart says. “I enjoy telling people where I have been, what I have seen, and interpreting the pictures I’ve done and giving them all of the back stories.

“I have more fun with that than just wanting to sell a picture. What I really enjoy is the little kids who come through, seeing pictures from Africa and scenes from Alaska. It gets them excited about travel and about art.”

James Raia can be reached at james@jamesraia.com. Follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram: @insidesacramento.