Brian Pollett is bringing his art back to the place he calls home: Tracy.

Pollett, 22, who grew up in Tracy from the age of 2 and moved to San Francisco in 2007 to study animation at the San Francisco Academy of Art, discovered his love for painting large-scale portraits after a still-life class he took there.

On April 9, he will showcase his art, along with work by four other San Francisco artists he selected, from 6 to 11 p.m. at Secret Sidewalk Art Gallery, 49 W. 10th St.

“I see Tracy is trying to grow. I am bringing my art to Tracy to try and build that culture,” he said. “They have a good attitude, they have a mission and I would like to help them with that mission to get Tracy on the spot.”

Pollett says not only does he have a newfound passion for painting — which he has been doing “intensely” for 1½ years — he also enjoys the social aspect it has created for him.

“It gives me an excuse to socialize,” he said. “Animation is a lot of work by yourself, for hours and hours and hours. When I start painting, people were really into it. I made some friends that way and met cool people that way. That’s when I thought about making my art more cultural than corporate.”

At a glance

• WHAT: A group art show, “Something Obscure,” from San Francisco, featuring Tracy artist Brian Pollett

• WHEN: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. April 9

• WHERE: Secret Sidewalk Art Gallery, 49 W. 10th St.

• COST: Free

• INFO: 879-9411 or www.secretsidewalk.com