Reunion 805, a free benefit honoring Ventura County’s disaster survivors, will be held on Sunday, November 17th, from 2 – 5pm in the 500 block alley in downtown Ventura (next to the parking structure). The event will recognize the second anniversary of the Thomas Fire. Funds raised will support the ongoing needs of impacted Ventura County families.

Free highlights include an art show by seven Thomas fire survivors, tribute wall, photo booth, magician, corn hole, live music and refreshments by local restaurants.

The benefit is hosted by Fox Fine Jewelry. In response to the disasters, Fox Fine Jewelry designed several necklaces depicting the communities affected, Named the “Strong” necklaces, Fox Fine Jewelry gave away over 700 necklaces to those affected.

Says Debbie Fox, co-owner of Fox Fine Jewelry, “Most fire survivors are still not in their homes. This event recognizes the trauma and the healing, while connecting neighbors and friends, many of whom scattered.”

The recently renovated alley will be closed to vehicles. For more information visit:

Reunion 805: http://bit.ly/2nFPGmk

Art show by Thomas survivors: http://bit.ly/2mJBp8e

Seven artists who lost their homes in the Thomas fire will display their artwork in a special show titled “Rising from the Ashes” at Fox Fine Jewelry from November 14th to January 18th, 2020 with an Art Reception on November 16 from 6 – 8 pm.

The art and the event will focus on growth and recovery from the disaster. It will include a tribute wall of personal stories from the artists and others affected by the fires.

The show features Lois Bloom, a watercolor painter; Barbara Brown, an oil painter; Gerd Koch, one of the founders of Studio Channel Islands and life partner Carole Milton, two abstract painters; Shahastra Levy, an oil pastel turned acrylic painter; Luisa Bernardi Neher, an acrylic painter; and Dawn Reily, an illustrator.

Special features include a Tribute Wall, refreshments and live music.

Show information: http://bit.ly/ThomasSurvivorArtists

The inkspots, Ventura County’s only printmaking group present their annual group exhibition “underPRESSure” Opening Reception is on November 1st (during the First Friday ArtWalk) at 5:00-8 p.m. at 643 Project Space at 643 Ventura Ave.

In addition to their work in the gallery, the inkspots collaborate on an annual folio or book project.

This year the folio will include a limited-edition print by each artist and will be offered for sale. There will be a free drawing for the inkspots 2019 Folio and this will take place at the Opening Reception at 7:00 p.m.

Gallery will be open each Saturday in November 1:00-4:00 p.m. with a different printmaking demo each Saturday including collagraphs, screenprinting, monoprinting, etching printing and photopolymer printing.

Or by appointment (email: [email protected])

The Ventura County Potters’ Guild is pleased to welcome James Haggerty for a historical talk about the Glazes of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Haggerty will discuss important potters from the beginning of the Arts and Crafts Movement including Adelaide Alsop Robineau, Frederick Hurten Rhead and Hugh Cornwall Robertson. Haggerty will also have samples of pottery on display that he will discuss.  James and Linda Haggerty have moved their studio and gallery to Ventura’s Bell Arts Factory. Their will be a brief discussion of lusters, a glaze that Haggerty is known for. Bring your Questions.

The public is always invited. Refreshments. Free Monday October 28, 2019

Doors open at 7 pm
Program begins at 7:30 pm
Ventura County Potters’ Guild

The Ventura Avenue Adult Center

550 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura

A Conversation with Hilary Brace Sunday, October 13, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St.

Hilary Brace spent most of her childhood in the Pacific Northwest, which nurtured her deep connection to nature. Hilary Brace received her MFA from the University of California, Santa Barbara and her BFA in painting from Western Washington State University. She is the recipient of numerous national and regional awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and a California Arts Council Fellowship.

To learn more about Hilary, visit www.HilaryBrace.com

Free to FOTM members, $15 for public; $10 for seniors.

Special invitation to educators and students: The Artist Spotlight is open to students attending as a class assignment free of charge. FOTM is happy to assist with tracking attendance and sign-in sheets. Reservations required. To RSVP visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 805.653.2501.

Buenaventura Art Association’s Collegiate Student Competition will open with a reception and awards ceremony 4-6 p.m. Oct. 12 and be on exhibit until Nov. 9 in the Smith Pavilion at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St.

Juror Bob Privitt is selecting from works by undergraduate artists at all Ventura County colleges and universities. He taught art at the college and university level for more than 40 years and retired from Pepperdine University as professor emeritus after 25 years there.

In BAA’s 12th annual Student Competition, cash awards in the form of scholarships will go to three winners: $500 for first place, $300 for second, and $250 for third. Honorable mentions will go to five collegiate artists who will receive $250 gift cards for Dick Blick Art Materials. All winners also will get free, one-year BAA memberships and entry fees.

BAA’s Buenaventura Gallery, in Studio 30 at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. For more about the 65-year-old nonprofit cooperative and its programs, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org or call 805-648-1235 during gallery hours.