Joe Cardella, who published an art publication for 25 years and was an important part of Ventura’s arts community has passed away from esophageal cancer.

He was involved in art in many ways but is best remembered as the publisher of ARTLIFE. The publication came out of his midtown Ventura home and featured art and poetry from artists throughout the world including many Ventura artists.

A conversation with Alison Saar Sunday, May 27, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Oxnard’s Levity Live at The Collection 591 Collection Blvd.

Can artists help us understand and deal with complex issues of the day? Alison Saar uses bold symbolism, literature and mythology as she explores the role of African-Americans, especially African-American women, in our society and our consciousness. A native of Los Angeles, Alison Saar was born to well-known African-American artist Betye Saar and Richard Saar, a mid-century modern ceramicist and art conservationist.  To learn about Alison Saar, visit www.LALouver.com

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

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 653.2501.

Ventura County Potters’ Guild 61st Anniversary Annual Potters’ Guild Show Libbey Park, downtown Ojai.

June 9 &10, Saturday 10 – 6 pm Sunday 10 – 5 pm

The Ventura County Potters’ Guild is a collective of ceramic artists is made up of professional and recreational potters and ceramists; instructors from local high schools and colleges; as well as people with a passion for ceramics. The VCPG began with ten Ventura area potters who came together in 1957 to form a potters’ guild.

This year’s spring sale will be their 61st anniversary of celebrating the Guild’s fine ceramic artists. Various Guild members will demonstration during the day. For more information, call 985-5038.

In July 2010 the VCPG opened its first full-time gallery located in Ventura Harbor at 1567 Spinnaker Drive. The gallery currently features 32 juried VCPG members who take turns working shifts and selling their wares.The Guild has grown from the original 10 to more than 135 members and has expanded beyond Ventura to represent much of southern and central California.

Thursday, May 31 from 6-8:30 p.m at Vita Art Center new location: 28 W. Main St.

$75 Donation Advanced purchase suggested (limited tickets available).

Join in for a festive evening of food, libation and art. Vita Art Center is celebrating its exciting new location and 10 years of bringing arts education and exhibitions to Ventura with a spectacular exhibition from nationally renowned painter John Nava. The exhibit will highlight a monumental 27-foot long tapestry of Surfer’s Point in Ventura. Inspired by Georges Seurat’s iconic, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The show will also feature a series of paintings and other tapestries.

Your $75 donation will be matched by Buena Tile & Stone who, along with an anonymous donor, have pledged a matching gift of $5,000!

Your generous contribution helps Vita to continue to serve the Ventura community.

28 West Main St. • 644-9214 • www.VitaArtCenter.com

Buenaventura Art Association, the grassroots Ventura arts group started in 1954, has found its new home and will open soon amid many other creative endeavors centered on and near Ventura Avenue.

On May 19, BAA celebrated the sale of the Buenaventura Gallery location it has occupied for 28 years, 700 E. Santa Clara St. Attendees toasted the group’s colorful history, founding Vice President Clophine Dooley’s generous bequest that bankrolled the longtime headquarters, and its bright outlook going forward.

Members of the nonprofit co-op now will turn their energies into making a new home within a few weeks at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., in space formerly occupied by Vita Arts Center.

BAA’s board views the move as a chance to reinvent its business model and continue developing as a cohesive and sustainable group. It is also looking at possible collaborations with the Museum of Ventura County, building a venue for online art sales, and starting a Ventura Studio Artists Tour.

For more, visit BAA’s website, www.buenaventuragallery.org, or call 648-1235.

Exhibition of paintings by famed Cuban Artist Pedro González Pulido Opening Night – Friday, June 8. Museum of Ventura County The Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion.

Pedro González Pulido is a prominent Cuban artist and educator. In 1997 he was Artist–in-Residence at Art City Studios. He returned to Ventura in 2015 as a Featured Artist at the 2015 Art Walk. A longtime friend of Ventura filmmaker Lorenzo DeStefano, Pedro became aware of Lorenzo’s work on “Hearing is Believing”, the feature documentary film about Rachel Flowers. After seeing a Spanish-subtitled version (“Oir es Creer”), Pedro was inspired, as have been many people, by Rachel’s story and her music.

Hearing is Believing Productions and the Museum of Ventura County are proud to bring the film and Pedro’s amazing work back to Ventura.

Painting exhibition runs through June 24.

“Hearing Is Believing” Screening Fri. June 8.

6-7 pm Art Opening & Reception w/ music by Rachel Flowers

7:15 pm Screening of “Hearing Is Believing”, a film by Lorenzo DeStefano

Post-screening Q+A w/ Lorenzo DeStefano, Rachel Flowers, Jeanie Flowers and Patti Channer

Advance tickets ($20) available through EVENTBRITE – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hearing-is-believing-film-screening-tickets-45126292957

Limited tickets available at the door. 641-3845 or [email protected] .

The 4th Annual Student Art Exhibition and Reception (at Santa Paula campus)featuring a range of media taught in Studio Arts including drawing, painting, photography and wood prints. Artworks are from both Ventura College and Santa Paula High School students. Until Wednesday, May 30.

To encourage residents of the surrounding communities to engage with and visit the campus. To recognize student creativity of expression and provide exhibit space for students at both Ventura College and Santa Paula High School.

Ventura College East Campus, 957 Faulkner Road, 106 Santa Paula 525-7136.

The Museum of Ventura County will be opening a new exhibit, Natural State, May 18, featuring the work of the Museum’s first artist-in-residence Ryan Carr. Using large scale paintings and drawings, the focus of Carr’s work is the invasive species of plants along the Ventura River, the Channel Islands and other areas of Ventura County. Carr will also be incorporating letter press printing techniques he learned while interning with Norman Clayton, who is considered one of the finest living printers on the West Coast. Unique wallpaper created by the artist, following the transition of Charles Burchfield, will be installed, as well as a floral installation that speaks to Carr’s work and adds depth to the exhibit.

Natural State will be on display at the Museum from May 18 to August 12. For more information visit venturamuseum.org or call 653-0323.

Featuring artwork by students who experienced Learning To See Outreach in their classrooms!

Biodiversity by Landen, 5th grade, Sheridan Way Elementary, inspired by FOTM Documented Artist Hiroko Yoshimoto

Hill Road Library until June 1.

Featuring students from Blanche Reynolds, Elmhurst, Montalvo and Sheridan Way Elementary Schools

Reception: Saturday, May 12 , 12 – 2 p.m.

1070 S. Hill Rd.