All of us at Focus on the Masters share the grief that has engulfed our community. The fires and the shooting at the Borderline Bar have personally affected members of our Focus family. Our hearts are heavy. We are postponing our documentation and Artist Spotlight Interview with Erika Lizée until our 2019 season. We are great believers in the healing power of the arts, especially during difficult times. But, the immediate needs of our loved ones and our communities are the priority. We also want to make sure that Erika’s art students at Moorpark College – who are grieving for one of their own – would be able to attend.

We are on standby to assist artists in need of documentation of their work. FOTM also has free art supplies available to artists who lost their studios in the fire.

We all know from experience that love is mightier than fire and thicker than smoke. We will all get through these difficult times together.

Thank you for your understanding and tremendous support.

FOTM Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers

This amazing art installation, located at the Museum of Ventura County is made of raw combed sheep wool. By Chilean born artist Minga Opazo the work is inspired by the fundamental processes of the textile industry. Born in Chile she is now a resident of Ventura. Minga is currently attending the California Institute of the Arts to receive her master’s degree. The Museum does not need to be open to view this art as it can be seen from either side.

Ventura County Potters’ guild member Marilee Stockman will be presenting a PowerPoint program and talk about Southwest American Artist Roxanne Swentzell. Swentzell is from the Santa Clara Indian Pueblo and comes from a family of renowned potters and sculptors. As a child she learned to articulate emotion through her small clay sculptures. She is known for her figurative sculptures that have captured the hearts of people all over the world. Stockman participated in a five-day workshop with her and will be telling about that amazing workshop.

Students and the public are welcomed to attend. Free at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center

550 N. Ventura Ave. Monday November 26, Doors open at 7 pm, Program begins at 7:30 pm .

On Nov. 10, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura held “Havana Nights”, at the Four Points Sheraton celebrating 80 years of serving local youth which included a live auction. The auction included “Channel Islands” an oil painting by local artist Tony Jankowski. His paintings have been shown in galleries throughout the United States and the world. He has won many awards and completed numerous private commissions. It sold for $3,700 which was a bargain.

The seniors living at the Ventura Townehouse keep up their wonderful art skills by participating in the art classes offered at the Townehouse. This is just some of their work.

On November 10th from 2pm to 5pm or later, Alex Waites, of Resin. A. Waites will be hosting an in-person workshop for artistic healing and learning. He will teach his methodology of resin and mixed media, not only going over the practice of art, but the healing that takes place within the creations.

Alex is offering two complimentary art lessons November 10th at the “THE SPACE” in Ventura. 1779 E. Main Street. Other class attendees will pay a nominal fee for materials and space provided, along with intimate art instruction.

Alex the owner and operator of Xpanded Therapies, specializing in physical healing through Brain Balance, Bodywork, Cupping, and BioMag Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy. The balance of left brain/right brain brings forth “art healing” through two distinct methods. Art and Physical Health.

Learn more about Resin. A. Waites on Instagram @resin.a.waites and Xpanded Therapies |xpandedtherapies.abmp.com. For bookings, call 805.765.1950.

A benefit Art Sale with original pieces donated by the family of Hank and Susan Stouz will be held from 11 am – 3 pm on Nov. 10 at the Museum of Ventura County, located at 100 E. Main St. Also available for sale will be gently used art and cookbooks. Award winning painter, Susan Stoutz, is a signature member of the Gold Coast Watercolor Society and a member of the Buenaventura Art Association, Ojai Art Center, Oxnard Art Association, Ventura Artist Guild and Santa Paula Society of the Arts. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Ventura Friends of the Library and the Museum of Ventura County.

Another of Ventura’s wonderful building murals can be found at Mission and Ventura Ave. The artist is Lisa Kelly.

https://www.lisakellymurals.com/

Focus on the Masters Volunteers presents their 6th annual Holiday Gift Shop located at the home of Chris & Kevin Beirne, 310 Cruzero Street in Meiners Oaks.  Their charming home is the perfect setting for unique, hand-made and lovingly crafted gifts by our local artists.

This is a great chance to meet with artists and friends, and shop for those special people on your list. The wine, gifts and wish lists happy hour on Saturday, Nov.17th from 4 – 7 will surely make your shopping extravaganza even more festive!

The Holiday Gift Shop will feature a variety of one-of-a-kind items including colorful quilts & totes, jewelry, decorative gourds, unique wearable art, charming felted wool creatures, ceramics, paintings and much more.  All items are produced by FOTM volunteers, staff, and outstanding Ventura County artists.

Proceeds benefit FOTM’s Learning To See Outreach and other outstanding arts education programs. To learn more about Focus on the Masters, visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 805.653.2501.

The ARTLIFE Foundation in cooperation with the Museum of Ventura County has set up an exhibit of Joseph Cardella’s works and issues of ART/LIFE in the Museum’s Pavilion.

On Friday November 2, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, a number of commentators will offer interpretations of Joe Cardella’s remarkable art on view at the Pavilion. You may have seen the intriguing works of this local genius, but have you tried to formulate what some of it might mean?

The event is free to Museum members, with a $5.00 fee for non-members and $3.00 for students and seniors.

Museum of Ventura County,
100 E. Main Street, November 2, 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
805-653-0323
ARTLIFE Foundation email: [email protected]