In our last issue we had a fascinating story about “homeless by choice” Stuart W. Smeltzer known as “Bear”. Stuart is an excellent artist and graphic designer. He can be reached at [email protected].
Category Archives: Ventura Art Scene
Women’s History Month exhibit at Vita Art Center
In celebration of Women’s History Month, March 2018, the Vita Art Center in collaboration with Focus on the Masters will exhibit the artwork of 4 women artist that will be interviewed and documented by Donna Granata in 2018. FOTM has done an incredible job documenting the work and lives of extraordinary artists that have dedicated much of their lives to their craft and Vita Art Center is honored to showcase the work of some of these women. This is the second annual all Women’s art exhibit co-curated by Vita Art Center and Focus on the Masters.
Opening Reception Friday, March 2 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibit Dates March 2 thru 31
Vita Art Center, 432 North Ventura Ave. Studio 30
Gallery hours M-F 10-4 pm and Sat. & Sun. by appointment
www.vitaartcenter.com
1st Place, 32nd Annual Open Competition, 2018 While the World Burns by Veronica Lambert
A mini open competition at the Buenaventura Gallery. Deadline midnight Saturday, March 3.
On Exhibit March 14 – April 14. Reception Saturday, March 17, 5-7pm.
Many paintings have a unique story behind them. A particular event, person, location, or incident that sticks in the artist’s memory and has to come out via paint or other medium. Stories lets you explore your subject visually and in writing.Submit your artwork of any medium and write a few sentences telling the ‘story’ of the artwork. Your story will be printed beside your piece, to only be revealed at the viewer’s discretion.
Entries will be judged by artwork only and not the story.
You must submit the story of your piece to be considered for acceptance.
Juror Rex Kochel: http://kochelart.com/
For entry details go to Online Entry at website BuenaventuraGallery.org.
Don’t Miss The Fun! Pastel class! Feb.24 at The Arts Collective Studio
Sign Up Now – Don’t Miss The Fun! Pastel class! Feb.24, 1:30-4:30 We will be doing a lovely koi painting . It is so much fun. Tasia is a great teacher too. Cost is $57.00 including materials. This is the first pastel class for 2018. Tasia guides you from the beginning to the end and you leave the class with a painting created by you!
Email [email protected] Or call to reserve a spot at 676-1540. Only 8 spots.
The Arts Collective Studio
Pacific View Mall – 2nd Floor next to Sears
The Arts Collective Studio is an initiative of the Ventura County Arts Council
The Arts Collective Studio is made possible, in part, through a grant from the City of San Buenaventura’s Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships Department.
Robert Wassell oil paintings exhibit at Buenaventura Gallery through March 10
The past decade was rough on art galleries across the country and Buenaventura Art Association, started 64 years ago in Ventura, is no exception. Red can be beautiful on a canvas, but never on a balance sheet.
Fortunately for this artists’ cooperative, the generosity and foresight of its members — both current and past — provide the inspiration and the means to deal with some vital changes. Key to the transformation is that BAA owns its longtime home at Santa Clara and Fir streets in downtown Ventura. It is the legacy of founding Vice President Clophine Dooley, who bequeathed $400,000 in the late 1980s used for its acquisition. Remaining funds went into a cash reserve that subsidized the nonprofit’s operations during the long recent downturn, but that cushion is now gone.
So BAA directors have just listed the building for sale; a portion of the proceeds will be judiciously used to reinvent how the group operates. Toward that goal, the association wants to gather the ideas, suggestions and dreams of all area residents about how it can best serve the needs of the community and art creators. Since inception, it has been a network of imaginative people, not a physical location, that makes BAA what it is.
Meanwhile, exhibits will continue at the downtown gallery, starting with a benefit show by loyal longtime member Robert Wassell.
Through March 10, about 40 of Wassell’s oil paintings will be exhibited, with all sale proceeds going to BAA. New works by other association members will fill the remaining wall space. A reception for all of the artists will be 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17.
Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St., is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. To offer your ideas or help, or for more information, visit the gallery in person or online at www.buenaventuragallery.org or call 648-1235 during gallery hours.
A Conversation with David Singer
Sunday, February 25, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Oxnard’s Levity Live at The Collection
591 Collection Blvd.
To learn about David, visit www.SingerClarinet.com
David Singer, clarinetist extraordinaire, has performed at the White House and played with Yo Yo Ma at the Spoleto Festival. He is equally comfortable at Moorpark High School, nurturing and encouraging young musicians. His students feel privileged to work with a true artist who does more than teach technique — he builds confidence, motivating them to perform at the highest level. Free to FOTM members, $15 for public; $10 for seniors.
To RSVP visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 653.2501.
Join for a celebratory dinner at the Ojai home of Steve Newkirk and Virginia Kron immediately following the Artist Spotlight Interview. Paid reservations are essential and required prior to February 20. We expect this AfterGLOW to sell out.
$30 FOTM members, $40 Non-members.
Tall ships and sailors are welcomed by the Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts
by The Harbor Gallery artists
Hear ye! Hear ye!! The public is invited to join us. The artists at Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts welcome the sailors of the tall ships The Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain with special events taking place at the Gallery. The big welcoming party is the first weekend of their arrival on Feb. 17 and 18. On Saturday and Sunday from 12-3pm outside there will be a special kids activity, led by gallery artist Kitty McGinnis, to make a floating sailboat. There will also be live music on Saturday the 17 by the talented duo Ruby Skye.
Meet a sailor in person on Tuesday, February 20 and hear their tales of their voyages at sea at the Sailor’s Tea inside the gallery from 12-3pm. The sailors of the ships will enjoy refreshments such as tea and cookies offered at the gallery and donated from Trader Joe’s in Ventura and the Coffee Dock at the Harbor. Sailors will also be given a goodies bag of much needed toiletries such as toothpaste, soap and sunscreen all donated and provided by artists from the Gallery. These donations are welcomed by the sailors as their journey from harbor to harbor can be treacherous and taxing. Their stop here at Ventura Harbor is key for them to pick up needed supplies and do any necessary repairs on the ship.
On Tuesday, February 20 The Harbor Gallery and Gifts is also hosting Plein Air artists to setup easels and their artwork. The Plein Air artists will be painting live in the courtyard in front of the Gallery and near the tall ships. We welcome the public to come and watch them paint live and learn a little about the on-site paining process. This event is hosted by our gallery watercolor artist Lorna Amundson.
Throughout this exciting time for us, the Tall Ships and the Ventura Harbor we are also offering a special coupon deal 10% off any single item in our Gallery from the time of the arrival of the tall ships on February 13, till their departure on March 5. Plus, the gallery will be filled with maritime and tall ship related art.
Lastly as a non-profit association that supports local artists and art related events like this in our community, throughout the month of February for a $1 donation you can post a heart on our wall in honor of someone you love or to show your love for art. Hearts for Art are available at the front desk of the Gallery.
For more information about these events call 633-2750 or visit us on Instagram or Facebook at Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts or on the web at Buenaventuragallery.org.
Experience of art in the dark at Vita Art Center
Metta National, (art in the dark) by Anna Karakalou with projection mapping by Panos Scourtis
Vita Art Center will turn the lights out to create a unique experience of art in the dark. Mulit-platform artist, Anna Karakalou will be exhibiting a fully immersive show at the Vita Art Center. Incorporating elements of traditional media, projection mapping by Panos Skourtis, digital painting and an introspective soundscape.
The shows previous iterations were seen in Labastide, France, as Efterpi and at the WAV Gallery as Inner National which was, unfortunately postponed to a one night only opening/closing due to the Thomas Fires.
Noting inner connectivity in a dark universe, Anna Karakalou paints colorful mirrors of recognition for us to see ourselves in. The images and portraits mirror the inner-self. The dark projection space of the exhibition map out the connection of the universe of all souls. -Marija Skara (Finnish Press)
Until Feb.23., Vita Art Center ,Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave.
Photography of Neal Barr, hosted by Union Bank at the Museum of Ventura County
Over 350 people attended the opening reception of the new Neal Barr exhibit, In High Style: The Photography of Neal Barr, hosted by Union Bank at the Museum of Ventura County. Breeze publisher Sheldon joined Neal at the wonderful celebration.
Attendees enjoyed an evening of high-fashion fun and art on a beautiful Ventura evening. Featuring the music of Studio 54 and fabulous food and refreshments from downtown Ventura merchants. More than $1,500 was raised in support of the United Way Ventura County’s Thomas Fire and Flood Fund.
