Category Archives: Ventura Art Scene

8 Local Artists Celebrate Ventura Landscapes

Right Here and Now, a multi-artist exhibition hosted by Gallery H at Pacific and Main, brings eight Southern California perspectives to the community of Ventura. From hiking and sailing to recovering from wildfire, the artists’ work pays homage to the local landscape and nature’s ability to restore and revitalize. Curated by Ventura artist Andrea Vargas, the exhibition celebrates the current moment with over 55 paintings, large and small. Artists include Vargas, Barbara Brown, Didi Martin, Gabriel Islas, Kariba Glynn, Linda Manguiat-Herzog, Michelle Nosco and Susan Cook.

In addition to a public opening Friday, November 22, the gallery will host several free public events in its six-week run. Work will be on view and available to purchase through Sunday, January 5, 2025. Gallery hours are on Saturdays from noon to 3pm or by appointment. Please contact Andrea at 805-218-7599 for scheduling. [email protected]. 805-218-7599. Location: 1793 E Main St.

PUBLIC EVENTS:

  • Exhibition on view: Nov 22 – Jan 5, 2025 (Gallery Hours: Saturdays, noon-3pm)
  • Artist meet and greet: Nov 23, 12-2pm
  • Opening reception: December 7, 6 – 8pm
  • Live art demo by Gabriel Islas: Dec 14, 12:30 – 3:00pm
  • Miniature art sale: Dec 21, 12 – 3:00pm

Andrea Vargas’ painting is 4ft x 3ft and depicts the iconic Ventura Trestle. The Ventura County Museum of Art and History owns the 7ft version in the permanent collection.

Michelle Nosco’s piece (Stampede) is a mighty 4f by 4ft. Look closely and you can see the horses.

Gabe Islas is well known for his plein air paintings. His 9 x 12 inch piece captures the Ventura Mission in oil

“After the Fire” was produced after the Thomas Fire and illustrates the first Poppies to grow out of the ashes. Artist : Andrea Vargas.

 

 

FOTM Celebrates 30 Years of Honoring Local Artists

Attendees explore FOTM’s 30-year timeline at the anniversary celebration, reflecting on decades of artistic achievements. Image by Sheldon Brown

FOTM (Focus on the Masters) 30th Anniversary Celebration continued on Sunday, November 3, at the Vita Art Center. Attendees enjoyed sipping wine and sampling hors d’oeuvres, while walking the Focus on the Masters timeline.

The FOTM archives include oral histories, videotaped interviews, photographic portraits and examples of artists’ work. The Focus mission is to demonstrate the full significance of the arts to society by bringing highly accomplished and diverse artists to the forefront of the community.

Focus on the Masters is a nonprofit arts education and appreciation program that documents, preserves and presents the works and lives of accomplished contemporary artists. www.focusonthemasters.com.

Second annual Art Show, Sale and Gift Boutique – Marina Mobile Home Park

Ocean painting by Patricia Schallert

On November 3rd from 12:00 to 5 pm, the Marina Mobile Home Park will host the second annual Art Show, Sale and Gift Boutique, celebrating the incredible talent of local artists from across Ventura. Explore a beautiful array of stunning paintings, photography, captivating sculptures, jewelry and unique gifts and crafts showcased by Ventura’s talented artists. In the lobby of the art venue, you’ll find an exhibition featuring works from many local artists, ranging from watercolor to acrylic paintings, and photography with several artists on hand to discuss their creative process and inspirations. The setting will be enhanced by ambient music, creative lighting, and a selection of refreshments for your enjoyment. Additionally, various vendors from the Ventura community have generously donated gifts that will be auctioned off during the event. Free event.

1215 Anchors Way Dr. – Club House.

30 Years in FOCUS – FOTM at Vita Art Center

2009 FOTM Documented Artist Tesi Sanchez stands in front of her image and work featured in the Focus on the Masters Anniversary Timeline.

On November 3 from 2 to 5 pm, the public is invited to take a journey inside Focus on the Masters art’s archive Library’s 30-year history. Through historic photographs, participants will experience highlights from the inspiring artists FOTM has documented along with unique events FOTM has produced and seminal exhibitions that helped to shape our cultural community. The timeline will be on display for one day only. Some might wonder why the FOTM saves paintbrushes, caps, journals with handwritten entries, announcement cards, historic photographs, tee shirts, newspaper articles, envelopes, and paper napkins. Each object stored away in our 40+ fire-resistant filing cabinets tells a story. A story of dedication and inspiration. A story of remembrance and a vision of the future. A true story of the arts and the artists who help us interpret the world around us.

While sipping wine and sampling hors d’oeuvres, while chatting with old friends and making new friends, we can walk the Focus on the Masters timeline. We will find out where we’ve been and lay the groundwork for our future. Focus is 30 years old and like any other thirty-something, Focus is at an inflection point. Where do we go from here? We want to share our ideas for the future with the community. Together we have built an amazing legacy, and together we will continue to capture history. RSVP www.FocusontheMasters.com. Vita Art Center is located at 28 W Main St.

Bell Arts Factory Welcomes Art Lovers at Monthly Open House

by Patricia Schallert

Suzanne Rigan, Fabric Artist

On Friday, October 4th, Bell Arts Factory in Ventura hosted its monthly open house as part of the city’s First Friday art events when many local galleries open their doors to the public. A vibrant hub for creativity and artistic expression, Bell Arts Factory showcases the diverse talents of local artists and craftspeople. Housed in a historic building that was once a mattress factory, this unique space has transformed into a thriving community center for art, offering galleries, workshops, and events that foster a strong sense of connection.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore a variety of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, and photography, all while supporting local artisans. The center also regularly features exhibitions, open studio events, and art classes for both adults and children, making it a destination for art lovers of all ages.

Artist, Alfredo Gonzalez

With its welcoming atmosphere, Bell Arts Factory encourages collaboration and dialogue between artists and visitors, enriching Ventura’s cultural landscape. Whether you’re looking to appreciate art or tap into your own creative potential, Bell Arts offers an inspiring experience that highlights the power of community and the arts. More than just a gallery, it serves as a creative sanctuary where inspiration and collaboration flourish.

The next open house will be held on November 1st at 6:00 p.m. Bell Arts Factory is located at 432 N. Ventura Ave. www.bellartsfactory.org.

Fantastical Blues: Solo show by Deborah Paulsen

Shimmering Surf – Encaustic, shellac, pigment stick

Running through October 26

Visit Studio 99 @ The Bell Arts Factory where Deborah Paulsen’s “Fantastical Blues” remains on exhibit. One of their best-selling shows this year, Deborah uses hot beeswax and damar resin with added shellac, oil paints and pigment sticks, to create encaustic paintings of ocean and landscapes.

“Layers of the encaustic medium are fused together with a torch so that the colors mix and marble on the panels to create fantastical effects,” Paulsen said. “Although they are based on land and seascapes, the methods used with the encaustic paint create spaces, colors, and textures that are luminescent and sensual as the paint is turned molten, layers are added and subtracted, and patterns are revealed.”

Studio 99’s regular hours are Fridays and Saturdays, noon – 4pm. Entrance to Studio 99 is around the back of the Bell Arts Factory off of Wall St. www.bellartsfactory.org.

 

3rd Annual Ventura Pottery Market & Bowl of Thanks

Join the Ventura Pottery Guild for its Third Annual Pottery Market and Bowl of Thanks on November 9 and 10 from 11 AM to 6 PM at Ventura Harbor Village. The Guild is thrilled to bring this beloved event back to its roots.

Proceeds from the Bowl of Thanks will support Food Share Ventura, which provides meals to 267,000 hungry residents in Ventura County each year. Beautiful bowls, donated by Guild members and local schools, can be purchased for a $25 donation at the Ventura Pottery Gallery. Each purchase includes a punch card for complimentary food samples at participating Harbor Village restaurants. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

As the gift-giving season approaches, don’t miss the Third Annual Ventura Pottery Market, conveniently located next to the Gallery’s year-round store. Featuring over 40 talented potters, you’ll find a diverse selection of traditional, sculptural, holiday-themed, and whimsical pottery—something for every taste.

The Ventura County Potters’ Guild, a non-profit founded in 1957, is dedicated to promoting ceramic arts through the Gallery, workshops, and monthly meetings. Our meetings are open to the public and often feature live demonstrations and presentations. For more information, visit www.vcpg.org. If you can’t make it to the Gallery, check out our Online Store at www.venturapotteryonline.com.

The Ventura Pottery Gallery is located at 1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105, in Ventura Harbor and is open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM. The Pottery Market will be held outdoors near the Gallery.

 

Student Competitions Logo Contest 2025

The Ventura County Office of Education invites Ventura County students to design logos for the 2025 Academic Decathlon, Battle of the Books, Mock Trial, and Science Fair. The winning design will be used on the event lapel pins, awards, and competition materials. Ventura County students in grades K-12 are invited to participate

THE DESIGNS SHOULD INCLUDE:

Format: Students may submit entries for as many of the events as they would like (Academic Decathlon, Battle of the Books, Mock Trial, Science Fair). Entries must be submitted in digital format. Formats include .jpg, .png, or .pdf. Dimensions of digital artwork must be 150 dpi and 7.5” x 7.5”. Entries must be in circular format and should include “Ventura County” at the top and the event name and year at the bottom.

Original Work: The design(s) must be original work done by the student; no stock images from commercial or private sources will be accepted.

Student Information: The student’s signature should appear within the design. Entries must include the following information: School, grade, teacher name, teacher email, and student name.

Entry Deadline: Fri, Oct 18, by 4:00 PM. A plaque will be presented to the winning student at the respective competition awards ceremony. The winning design will be selected by VCOE. Email all entries to [email protected]. 2024 winning and sample logos at bottom of this page: https://www.vcoe.org/Competitions/Logo-Contest

Beginning Artist Workshops and Competition

For 70 years, the Buenaventura Art Association (BAA) has brought together artists of all ages and mediums to share ideas, techniques, and creations. This fall, BAA is focusing on nurturing new local talent with a series of workshops in October and November.

These workshops are designed to help aspiring artists bring their hidden talents to life, culminating in a Beginning Artist Juried Competition in January. While workshop attendance is not required to enter the competition, those with little or no competition experience will gain valuable insights and instruction.

Workshops will be held at Studio 99, located at 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. The cost is $5 for BAA members and $8 for nonmembers. To sign up, visit baa.wildapricot.org/Workshops.

  • The first session, 10 am – noon Oct. 19, will be Overcoming the Fear of Rejection, conducted by Margie November, M.D. A psychiatrist and art therapist for more than 30 years with a private practice in Ventura, November also is a longtime artist and BAA member. Space is limited to 20 people.
  • From noon – 2 pm Oct. 26, Darlene Roker, longtime professional photographer and immediate past president of BAA, will have space for 12 people at How to Mat, Frame and Wire Your Art. After getting her instructions on the basics, the attendees will have access to tools and materials to get their artworks ready to hang.
  • The November sessions will cover photographing, marketing, and pricing your artwork in preparation for entering shows.  Dates, times and locations for these are not yet final.

    Details of the juried competition in January also are to be determined, but the juror will be Bob Privitt, a prolific local artist and BAA member for decades who has long experience in appreciating people’s initial forays into the world of art. Privitt, who lives in Thousand Oaks, taught art at colleges and universities for 40 years before retiring in 2004 from Pepperdine University in Malibu as professor of art emeritus and a former art department dean. Two-dimensional artworks will be eligible for the show, at which first, second and third-place prizes will be awarded, along with honorable mentions.