Category Archives: Ventura Art Scene

Museum of Ventura County accepting applications for Bonita C. McFarland Visual Arts Scholarship

Grace Morton – Ventura (one of five 2021/2022 Scholarship winners).

Museum of Ventura County is now accepting applications for its Bonita C. McFarland Visual Arts Scholarship. The scholarship fund has a total of $10,000 to be awarded to eligible applicants who are high school seniors enrolling in college courses in Fall semester of 2023 or any continuing visual arts college student who is a Ventura County resident.

Awards will be based on artistic merit and commitment as demonstrated by the application, essay, letter of recommendation, and examples of work.

Applicants will be selected by a committee consisting of members of the Museum’s Fine Arts Committee and Museum staff. Learn more at https://venturamuseum.org/bonita-c-mcfarland/

Application deadline: May 7, 2023

Review of applications: May 2023

Scholarships announced: Late May 2023

Member show original artwork by Buenaventura Art Association members

Banana Tree, Oil on canvas, Marita Redondo

Featuring Marita Redondo on the Triangle Showcase
Until April 29, 2023.

Marita Redondo’s show on the Triangle Showcase is titled “Sunlit” because, she says, “The paintings are all sunlit, atmospheric and outdoors.” Since earning her credential from California in art education with an emphasis in cross-cultural teaching more than a dozen years ago, Redondo has taught at the high school level, currently at Hueneme High.

Exhibiting art at Studio 99 means being able to show larger than usual pieces because of our spacious walls. Both Marita’s and the member show feature works of all sizes, creating incredible variety!

The entrance to Studio 99 at the Bell Arts Factory is around the back of the building off of Wall St. Open hours: Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm

Art of Olivas Adobe

Heavy rains were predicted for the night before the annual candlelight tours, at the Olivas Adobe last December but a small gathering of artists came prepared with umbrellas, raincoats, gloves, and scarves for an evening of Nocturne painting.

Anette Power

Anette Power set up her easel next to the adobe, under the eaves for a lovely view of the lanterns and costumed docents who pull you back in time with stories and traditions from the early 19th century.

Laura Jespersen and Lisa Mahony set up in front of the Adobe for a view of the large poinsettia illuminated by the holiday lights and candles shining through the windows of the historic rancho home.

Lisa Mahony

Artist Lisa Mahony was asked why painting at night ~ her reply :

“I like painting at night because it captures a side of the world that few people paint. It makes for a magical evening!”

For more information about events, exhibits, and tours at the Olivas Adobe go to www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OlivasAdobe

Progeny is an exhibit of visual art by children of WAV artists.

Photos by Patricia Schallert

The show is curated by WAV resident artist Sarah Kalvin and will mark the thirteenth anniversary of the opening of the WAV in 2010. WAV is an innovative community that includes 55 live/ work spaces for artists, writers, musicians and other mediums.

Besides the children’s art the First Friday opening included numerous local vendors with their arts and crafts for sale in the gallery’s courtyard.
There was also live music.

“While once viewed as the controversial new addition to
Ventura’s growing downtown cultural district, Venturans have come to eagerly anticipate the next display of WAV artists individualism,” noted Sarah Kalvin.

WAV (Working Artists Ventura) is located at 175 S. Ventura Avenue.

Nine-year-old Santiago Salazar likes to paint with pastels. He wants to be a chef when he grows up. He was inspired after going to the Grand Canyon and when he came home painted these pictures.

Sophia Salazar is four-years-old and likes creating art with paint. She wants to be a ballet teacher when she grows up.

Vivian Sky Accola is the daughter of Sarah Willey who is an original WAV artist. Vivian is nine-years-old and enjoys acting, singing, dancing drawing and roller skating.

Plein Air Open Competition

1st Place – Natives on the Hill – Bonny Butler At Studio 99 @ The Bell Arts Factory

Featuring works by Laura Jespersen, coordinator of Plein Air Ventura County

Many thanks to juror, Sharon Weaver, who chose our award winners and congratulations to these wonderful artists:

  • 1st Place – “Natives on the Hill” – Bonny Butler
  • 2nd Place – “Jays Grove” – Michelle Nosco
  • 3rd Place – “House at Ojai Valley” – Bebe Betker
  • HM – “Ojai Pink Moment” – Sylvia Oltion Shapiro
  • HM – “Sunrise Walk” – Patti Handfinger
  • HM – “California” – Cathy Winton

Exhibit Runs
Now thru February 25, 2023

The entrance to Studio 99 at the Bell Arts Factory is around the back of the building off of Wall St. Open hours: Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm

Fox Fine Jewelry presents Side by Side

Fox Fine Jewelry presents Side by Side, an art show with Thomas Hardcastle and Bobbi Balderman from April 20th to July 30th, with an Art Reception on April 22nd from 5 – 7 pm.

Thomas Hardcastle grew up in Ventura County, attending Villanova and later Ventura College, where he studied art. His artistic appetite whetted, at 23 he moved to the artist inspired community of Ojai. His love was art, but supported himself working as a hairdresser.
Show information: https://www.foxfinejewelry.com/pages/side-by-side
Fox Fine Jewelry 560 East Main Street

Progeny exhibit of visual art by children of WAV artists at WAV Gallery

Progeny, an exhibit of visual art by children of WAV artists will open at the WAV Gallery on March 3, 2023. The show is curated by WAV resident artist Sarah Kalvin and will mark the thirteenth anniversary of the opening of the WAV in 2010. WAV is an innovative community that includes 55 live/work spaces for artists, writers, musicians and other mediums.

The First Friday opening will include numerous local vendors with their arts and crafts for sale in the gallery’s courtyard. There will be live music and food trucks to enhance the exhibit’s opening at 175 S. Ventura Avenue in the heart of Ventura’s art district.

While once viewed as the controversial new addition to Ventura’s growing downtown cultural district, Venturans have come to eagerly anticipate the next display of WAV artists individualism,” noted Kalvin.

Progeny will focus specifically on visual art and includes works by both children of charter members as well as children of artists who have joined the community since its opening.