Dabster Arts offers a variety of affordable weekly classes, workshops and artist retreats. Their programs are designed for individuals to learn diverse artistic processes and subjects from credentialed instructors and master artists. Their master artist instructors and unique venue provide a one of kind learning atmosphere.

Two of the most popular classes are Figure Drawing on the first Saturday of every month and Visual Journaling offered once every other month.

Figure drawing  is a guided instruction figure drawing class. In this life drawing class, students can learn simple and effective drawing figure drawing techniques. Each student will be given ample time to study the shapes, values and edges of the figure and explore different techniques.

Visual journaling is about connecting with your inner you. The beauty of visual journaling is that anything goes. It’s a place where you can express and explore your feelings through images, writing, and just playing with the materials. It’s about rediscovering creativity as play. It’s about expressing your authentic self.

1793 E Main St.  626-8876.

The whimsical art of Jane Peterson can be seen at her studio-gallery located at  H Gallery+Studios located at 1793 E. Main. Peterson holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa, and her work can be seen in collections from coast to coast. She works in an assortment of mediums, ranging from paint, oil, watercolor, wood, ceramic (mixed-media), sculpture, and photography.

As part of Arts & Eats held in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 18 from 6 – 8pm. over a dozen galleries, restaurants and shops open their doors for art receptions and complimentary tastes. Visit Downtown Ventura ,stroll Main Street and explore over a dozen galleries, restaurants and shops during this free event! Between the galleries stop for tasty bites at participating shops and restaurants. This event goes from 6pm till 8pm.

There is convenient free parking at two city lots. Visit www.foxfinejewelry.com/event/article/arts-eats/  for map of locations and parking.

Joe Cibere and Margy Gates will display their art in “H2O Watercolors” at Fox Fine Jewelry from March 16 – May 14 with an Art Reception on March 18 from 6 – 8:00pm. Musician Corinn Conant will sing and play guitar during the reception.

Joe Cibere has been a commercial artist for forty years. He has worked as a designer, illustrator, photographer and creative director for many top U.S. brands.

A native Californian, Margy Gates holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Claremont Graduate University.

Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery is pleased to present a Plein Air art exhibition inspired by “City by the Sea.” Group exhibition featuring Kay Zetlmaier, Ray Harris, Christine Beirne and Sparkle Taylor.

Fox Fine Jewelry; 560 E. Main St. 652-1800; Foxfinejewelry.com

Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery; 540 E. Main St. 628-3540; very-ventura.com

Women on the Rise Women’s Exhibit
Opening Friday, March 3,  from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. exhibit dates: March 3 – 31
Gallery hours: M-F 10-4 pm Sat. & Sun. by appointment

In celebration of Women’s History Month the Vita Art Center in collaboration with Focus on the Master’s will exhibit the artwork of women artist that have been interviewed and documented by Donna Granata. 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 these women.

Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Ave. ,644-9214  www.VitaArtCenter.com

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Ventura College New Media Gallery is proud to announce Photographic Portraits by Ventura College alumni, Donna Granata, founder of Focus on the Masters (FOTM).  The exhibition SPARK: Woman Educators, Innovators, and Activists will run from Thursday, March 2 through Thursday, April 13,  with an opening reception on March 2, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  A gallery talk is also scheduled for Thursday, March 23, at 1:00 p.m.  The exhibition and gallery talk, located on campus  are free and open to the public.

Established in 1994, FOTM is an on-going non-profit art appreciation program that documents, preserves and presents the works and lives of accomplished contemporary artists, emphasizing the importance of the arts to a healthy community.

The New Media Gallery showcases the work of professional artists throughout the United States. Gallery hours for spring 2017 are Monday – Thursday, 10-4 p.m. and/or by appointment. On campus parking requires a permit which may be purchased for $2 from the automated parking boxes on campus parking lots.

A complete listing of Ventura College art exhibits may be found at http://www.venturacollege.edu/about-ventura-college/college-events/arts-and-events

While vacationing in Ridgefield, CT George Robertson brought his sketchbook  (and we’re sure his Ventura Breeze) to capture the beautiful city.

Michelle Nosco is a multi-talented artist whose work includes portraits (people and animals), murals, faux finishes and much more. To see more of her work in oil, watercolor and pastel visit www.noscofineart.com. Michelle’s studio is located at H Gallery + Studios 1793 E Main St. 861-6504 [email protected]. Scamp stated ”what an adorable dog.”

The MIX – Nighttime Networking is an informal, after work social networking function held by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. The Feb.16 MIX was hosted by H Gallery + Studios located at 1793 E. Main! H Gallery + Studios is a 10,000 square foot vintage building completely dedicated to the arts. The social atmosphere at this gallery has been praised by much of the community and the high caliber art that is exhibited has made this venue one of the best in Southern California. This is much more than a conventional art gallery, it’s a community of working artists from the area.

The curation of the gallery Yessíca Torres and owner Rodrigo Aguilar welcomed the chamber to the MIX.

Artist Mariana Peirano Royuela believes that the universe had a plan for her to be an artist. “According to my mother, I was drawing since I could hold a pencil. As I got older it actually became a bit of an issue with her because that’s all  I wanted to do! But apparently life had a different plan for me and I became a teacher. So for many, many years my artistic talents were used to create classroom materials and bulletin boards. Then one day, my call came again and that time I listened. “

This amazing artist offers a variety of weekly classes, workshops and artist retreats on figure and portrait drawing and painting, intuitive painting and visual journaling. Following the academic approach, these basic  life drawing classes and workshops, offer a simple and effective approach for drawing the human figure.

​Peirano Art studio,  1793 East Main St. Enrollment is limited. Reservations recommended.

To sign up call 758-8247 or  [email protected]. See more of her art at www.peiranoart.com.