The City of Ventura and E.P. Foster Library are pleased to sponsor the ninth annual “Art Tales,” a free “creative writing contest inspired by art.” Writers worldwide in three age categories are invited to visit the library, or the contest website, and choose the artwork that inspires them to create and enter their own poem or short story, 500 words or less, by April 4 for cash and other prizes.

Teachers and writers may contact Art Tales Curator Tobie Roach at [email protected] or 658-4759 to request printed copies of lesson plans for their classes or to answer questions regarding the contest. Or download all materials at www.cityofventura.net/arttales including high resolution reproductions of featured artworks, lesson plan with entry rules, featured artist bios, waiver form, model poems and past anthologies for great examples in prose and poetry.

Selections from the City of Ventura Public, Temporary and Municipal Art Collections are rotated annually to a special second floor exhibit space near the library’s rear (children’s) entrance  in an effort to make them more accessible to the community. Each year, the Ventura Public Art Manager/Art Tales Curator selects 4 to 6 artworks to display at the library, illustrating a particular theme.

Dab Art has several exciting events coming up! Three exhibitions curated by Dab Art will be opening in the upcoming months; Vanishing Oasis, a solo exhibition by Janet Milhomme exploring the Salton Sea through mixed media. Back to The Future, another solo exhibition of retro abstracts by Krystal Becker, and Good Bokeh our  international juried photography exhibit. At H Gallery + Studios (1793 E Main). Dabster Arts is also offering affordable art classes in all genres of art.

Amy Jennings has been a lover of nature and all things beautiful since childhood.   She would spend endless hours coloring, drawing, painting and making craft projects.  Art classes were always her favorite growing up!

After getting her Associate’s Degree in Interior Design, she worked as an Interior Designer in her hometown of Bakersfield before moving to Santa Barbara to live near the ocean.  Always a beach girl at heart, she now resides in Ventura.

When she is not busy painting or decorating – she can be found doing something active like playing tennis, hiking, Pilates or riding her cruiser bike near the beach – always with Gigi the dog in the basket.

The Harbor Gallery is having a promotion for February, “Hearts for the Arts”, they are seeking donations of $1.00 for the purchase of a Valentine Heart on which the donor can make a dedication to a loved one.  These Hearts will be taped to their wall or they may purchase a Heart with an original painting on it.  All donations will be to Buenaventura Art Association for our mission on continuing to bring art to the community through scholarships and classes.

Also, beginning in Feb. the Gallery will feature one artist and his/her work.

Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery presents “Coastal Escapes”. This is a solo art exhibition featuring the paintings of Jennifer Love. Opening night-Jan 21, 2016. 540 E. Main St. 628-3540. 6pm-8pm.

Having lived most her life in Santa Barbara and Ventura, Jennifer Love finds herself drawn to the Ocean to paint time and time again.  With an art career that spans over 30-years, her passion for the coast has led her to specialize in Ocean Artistry.

Jennifer will do a live painting demonstration night plus give away one her paintings to a lucky winner. Opening night is in conjunction with Arts & Eats, Downtown Ventura.  The event features several galleries, shops and restaurants offering art shows or tasty bites.

Refreshments at Very Ventura will be hosted by Aunties Eats and Treats.

On Jan.23 Doors open at 7 pm. Program begins at 7:45 pm
The Ventura Avenue Adult Center
550 N. Ventura Ave.

The Ventura County Potters’ Guild welcomes Troy Schmidt, ceramic artist and miniaturist. Troy will present a glimpse into the whimsical and creative genre of scale miniatures with “My Miniature World of Ceramics”.  He will guide you through some of the methods he uses to create his work and share some of his secrets.

Troy’s miniatures are examples of exceptional quality wheel-thrown porcelain in 1-inch scale; each piece being individually thrown on a full-size potter’s wheel. His miniature pottery can be found around the world and has been featured in many magazines in the U.S. and Europe .

Drop in for a free spot of tea Saturday or Sunday afternoon from 1:00-3:00 Jan. 28 and 29, at the Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts (in the patio area at the corner of the Harbor Village 1559 Spinnaker Drive.) Jewelry, crafts and greeting cards on display and for sale. You will be served by artists in period costumes. Sip tea while viewing tall ship related paintings and photographs.

When Weston Naef, Curator Emeritus, J Paul Getty Museum, Department of Photographs had to choose three photographers to exhibit at his booth and participate on a panel with him, he chose Luther Gerlach, Jacqueline Woods, and Metabolic Studio. Naef did not realize that the first two named notable artists lived across the courtyard from one another at Working Artists Ventura (WAV) here in Ventura.

Handmade! Analog Photography in the Digital Era, is the panel discussion title, and is a perfect platform where Gerlach and Woods can expound on their innovative, photographic techniques that draw from photography’s early history, albeit their individual processes couldn’t be more different.

Luther Gerlach has reversed the Victorian tenet of bringing the outdoors into the studio by bringing the studio to the outdoors. Gerlach drives his mobile darkroom to his chosen spot in nature where he may position a model, studio drapery or other inspirational items, and then takes the photograph. To maximize his technique, he uses an oversized wooden camera that he’s collected or built himself, and then develops the image on the spot.

Jacqueline Woods creates camera-less images using vintage black and white photographic paper, photo emulsion and silver and light. Her dynamic theme centers on the ancient and spiritual Black Sun.