Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships is proud to sponsor the 11th Annual Art Tales Writing Contest. This writing contest, inspired by art, is open to writers worldwide. Contestants are asked to view four selected pieces from the City’s Municipal Art Collection and compose a short story or poem (500 words or less) based on one. This year’s theme “Objects of Curious Happenstance” plays upon the whimsical and creative nature of the four selected artworks. The community is invited to view the art in person, during regular business hours, on the 2nd floor of City Hall, 501 Poli St.

Writers, in three age categories (youth, teen, and adult), will find information on how to enter, teacher lesson plans, and biographies of the artists on the Art Tales website. All entries must be submitted through email, and only one entry may be submitted per person. The deadline to submit is Wed., April 10. For more information contact Tobie Roach at 805-658-4759 or [email protected].

A conversation with Rafael Perea de la Cabada Sunday, February 17, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, FOTM is excited to partner this year with the Museum of Ventura County, where each artist’s interview will be filmed before a studio audience.

Rafael Perea de la Cabada is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work is steeped in the artist’s rich cultural heritage. His intuitive approach draws from his personal experience, incorporating deep narratives layered in symbolism. To learn about Rafael Perea de la Cabada, visit www.RafaelPerea.com

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

AfterGLOW Fundraising Event: The public is welcome to join the artist for a celebratory fundraising dinner at VITA Art Center, located just steps from the museum, immediately following the program. Paid reservations are required prior to February 12.

$30 FOTM members, $40 Non-members. To RSVP visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 805.653.2501.

The oil paintings of Hilda Kilpatrick-Freyre are on display at Rincon Brewery in Ventura located at 4100 Telegraph.

First Friday Opening: February 1 from 6-9pm
Exhibit Dates: February 1 thru February

Film viewing and discussion with Derek Boshier, Sunday, February 10, 3 – 5pm, $5 (members free) The screening program will include Boshier’s award winning short film. “An Englishman in L.A., Mr. Boshier.”

Born in Portsmouth in 1937 Derek Boshier first came to prominence with his paintings as a student at the Royal College of Art in London where he studied alongside David Hockney.

Boshier burst onto the British art scene in the sixties as one of the young artists who pioneered the British pop art movement. Now in his eighties and living and working in LA, Derek remains as energetic and prolific as ever.

Vita Art Center, 28 West Main St.

805-644-9214

www.VitaArtCenter.com

We are shaking off the winter doldrums with explosions of color and welcoming almost three dozen new or returning members who have joined us in the past few months! You’re invited to come see new artworks at the Buenaventura Gallery, Color Mad! Until January 27.

Artists’ Talk “Rejection: The Path to Acceptance” on Saturday, January 26, 1pm – 3pm.

Instructor Margie November, M.D. is a BAA member and practicing psychiatrist who will give you tips on dealing with the world of competitive art shows. Whether you’re new to exhibiting or a long-established pro, that twinge you get in the pit of your stomach when a piece is not accepted hits all of us. Is there a voice in your head that says, “Why bother” or “I’m just not ready”? Do these feelings present an obstacle to exhibiting your work? Margie will help you deal with these feelings in a positive manner by using her own artwork and experiences with rejection as examples of how you can reach the path to acceptance. BAA Members – $5 Public (Non-Members) – $10

Dr. November’s Psychiatry website www.MargaretNovember.com; art website is in the works.

432 N. Ventura Ave., #30, in the Bell Arts Factory.

Patricia Cadenas and Patricia Fabysack will display their artwork in the show “Living Textures” at Fox Fine Jewelry from January 17 – March 10, with an Art Reception on January 19 from 6 – 8 pm.

As a Cuban American having studied in Europe and America, Patricia Cadenas has been able to cultivate a diverse style marked by its versatility.
Specializing in murals, Cadenas has created some incredible works including a building-sized marine world for Toyota Corporation; a wonderful children’s fantasy world for the pediatric intensive care unit at UCLA Medical Center; and a Tuscan scene painted on a ceiling for a cigar room in an estate home. You might have even seen her work in Ventura, as she’s one of the artists who painted one of the many colorful utility boxes around the city.

Patricia Fabysack has been passionate about art since she was a young child. Lacking funds for art supplies, she’d burn sticks and leaves and use the charcoal to draw on the concrete outside. This creative ingenuity led to the artist she is today, now using mixed media and wax to add literal depth to her art.
Fox Fine Jewelry, 560 East Main Street

(805) 652-1800

Mika Harmony is the Featured Artist at Capriccio Restaurant downtown Ventura with her new exhibit “Garden of the Heart” featuring whimsical and vibrantly colored acrylic paintings on canvas. Themes of feathers, butterflies, dragonflies, flowers and hearts are prominent in her new collection. Show is up through February 28th. www.mikaharmony.com

Capriccio Restaurant, 298 E. Main Street, downtown Ventura, Open daily at 11:30am.

The Ventura County Arts Council is pleased to announce a generous increase in its mini-grant educational program for schools in the upcoming year 2019. Grants of $500 to $1000 will be available to bring standards-based arts programs into k-6 classrooms in Ventura County. Applicants can download the application @ vcartscouncil.org Click on Mini-Grants. Applicants will be notified by March 1 and projects must be completed by June 15, 2019.

Local non-profit organizations, artists and schools are encouraged to apply. Please note: 25% of the amount requested from the Ventura County Arts Council must be matched by the school. For example, in the case of a grant of $1000, the school would have to generate $250 making the total project $1250. All funded programs must take place

during the school’s day. Only 1 application per school, arts organization, or artist will be funded. The mini-grant can be used to pay for artist services, tickets to an arts-based performance or transportation to an arts event. Projects will be selected on the criteria of

1. Learning experiences structured by the California Arts Content Standards

2. Utilization of local artist resources

3. On-going learning that uses this project as a springboard for continuing arts education and/or integration with other content areas.

The Artist-In-The-Classroom Project from the Ventura County Arts Council is not eligible for this grant. Upon notification of acceptance the applicant will receive 75% of the funds with the remainder paid out after the project is completed and an evaluation is turned in. Questions should be directed to the Ventura County Arts Council at [email protected] or 805-658-2213. The Mini-Grant Educational Program is funded by the John and Beverly Stauffer Foundation.