Photo by Patricia Schallert

Arte Para la Gente explores artist Margaret Garcia’s vast body of work that captures and encapsulates culture, family, and urban life. Over the past four decades, Margaret Garcia has been a leader in the L.A. Chicano Art Movement, championing women, community, and those individuals who are marginalized by society. As a teacher and mentor, Margaret has inspired and encouraged artists to challenge their talents. Her students are encouraged to reach into their souls and create art that is authentic to self, and reflects their passion for the subjects they are painting. Her most recent works, many shown here for the first time, were painted in Ventura County. Arte Para la Gente is on display at the Museum of Ventura County from November 11, 2021 to Spring 2022.

Join us for a weekend of art beginning with First Friday’s Open Studios at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N.Ventura Ave. A dozen or more artists have created tall vertical art works specially for this exhibit which will be on display in the community room gallery space.

Friday, December 3rd    5:00- 9:00 w/refreshments

Saturday December 4th  4:00-8:00 w/refreshments

Sunday December 5th     11:00-4:00

Bell Arts Factory will open Galería Cooperativa, a community art gallery, workspace, and storefront to be located in the studio 30 space of Bell Arts Factory. Galería Cooperativa will establish space for local artists to work alongside community members to develop solutions that address social problems like racism and injustice; economic inequity; domestic and sexual violence against women; and the impact of COVID-19 in minority communities.

Galería Cooperativa, funded in part through a California Arts Council Impact Project Grant, will feature six BIPOC/LGBTQ+ artists from Ventura and nearby cities. Confirmed artists include: Andrew Rodriguez, Ventura CA, Sergio Martinez, Santa Paula CA, Sue Franco, Ventura CA, Cesar Aldana, Oxnard CA, and Yumiko Glover from Goleta CA. In addition to using the gallery and studio space, each artist will develop community workshops and classes designed to leverage art as a tool to create personal and social change.

“Planting seeds of art in communities is one of the many ways to achieve a better world. Art Heals,” says Maribel Hernandez, Interim Executive Director of Bell Arts Factory. “Galería Cooperativa will be a vibrant studio space, where the community can meet with artists and see the healing power of art in action.”

Galería Cooperativa will have its grand opening on November 5th, 2021 5:00 p.m until 9:00 p.m. for First Friday. After that, regular hours will be Thursday 12:00-4:00 p.m. and Saturdays 12:00-4:00 PM, and every First Friday of the month from 6:00- 9:00 p.m. More information on Galería Cooperativa, including artist profiles, workshop schedules, can be found at https://bellartsfactory.org/galeria-cooperativa/

Ventura County’s only printmaking group, the inkspots will be having their annual group exhibition “Rolling On”. The opening reception on November 5, 5-8pm, at 643 Project Space, 643 N. Ventura Ave.

During the First Friday ArtWalk; there will be a free drawing for the inkspots 2021
FOLIO of limited edition original prints at 7 p.m.—all are welcome! This year, the prints will be hand bound into a book.

There will be printmaking demos during the Saturday gallery hours 1 to 4pm,
November 6, 13, 20 and 27th.

The inkspots of San Buenaventura established in 2007, are a group of artists dedicated to creating original prints using a variety of techniques including etching, collagraph, linocut, monoprint, monotype, woodblock, photopolymer etchings and digital manipulation.

The “Rolling On” exhibit will include the works of artists Christina Altfeld, Margarita Cantú, Beverly Decker, Virginia Furmanski, Judy Gibbs, Jackie Hamel, Bay Hallowell, Colleen M. Kelly, Sandra McCullough, Inés Monguió, Most, Jane Peterson, Leslie Plimpton and Alyse Stuck. Their individual styles are as unique as the artists themselves.

Photo courtesy of Museum of Ventura County

The Museum of Ventura County is excited to announce a new installation; Women’s Qualities by New York-based artist, Ghada Amer. Debuting on September 17, 2021, guests can continue to view the exhibit until January 7, 2022. The artwork can be viewed throughout historic Downtown Ventura.

Artist Ghada Amer describes the installation as a space of reflection and contemplation for both the artist and community, aesthetics, and ideology, as well as nature and culture.