Category Archives: Ventura Art Scene

16th annual Festival of Talent themed “Rock the World” Feb. 25

“I was impressed by the strong  and professional performances and looking forward to being part of the audience of the finalists in February. “
~ Bernie Goldstein, Photographer

Ventura Education Partnership is proud to announce the 16th annual Festival of Talent will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25. The theme for the event will be “Rock the World”.  “This year’s theme will celebrate our community’s diversity, as well as our strength and unity,” stated Festival director Brian McDonald, of the Rubicon Theatre. Auditions were held in the Ventura High School Auditorium on Friday, January 13.

Ventura Education Partnership produces the event in conjunction with Ventura Unified School District and the Ventura Kiwanis Club.

 

“Hard Six through the Lens” A Photography Exhibit Jan. 28

“Hard Six through the Lens” A Photography Exhibit is a photography exhibit featuring over 20 pieces of art from Southern California photographers. For the past several years, thousands of images have captured Hard Six playing shows, and many have caught behind the scenes moments. This exhibit, featuring some of these moments, will debut at Megasounds Studios.

Opening Reception and Jam
Saturday, January 28, 2017 – 8 p.m. to midnight
Come out for a fun evening of art, food, drink, and music.
An open jam. Bring your guitar or bass!
2789 E Main St.

 

Life in good measure

Dave and Nancy at the Buenaventura Art Association gallery in Ventura Harbor .

by Gail Field

“Once burned, twice shy.”  David Hodge is not one to shy away from a challenge, but one day Dave was burned and turned away from a hobby he loved.  Fortunately, what ensued was a fulfilling life of new experiences.

After successful careers as teachers in Ventura County, Dave and his wife Nancy began participating in historical reenactments, traveling all over all the U.S. and putting on shows for the public. Dave’s particular responsibility for the Civil War reenactment was to set off the cannons in a conflict between the Yanks and the Confederates.  David did in fact get burned on the cannon in his last attempt, and after that he swore never to set off a cannon again.  Instead, he and Nancy turned their attention to historical costuming for the events.  They had dresses and uniforms made for the appropriate periods of history, and sold them to participants and the public, adding authenticity to the events.

Ever since she was a little girl, Nancy has expressed herself through art.  Her paintings show her love of horses, Indian legends and landscapes of the Old West.  David assists, reinforcing his dictum, “A painting must tell a story.”  Nancy’s paintings demonstrate this principle in her paintings of horses with personalities and characters with “attitude” among many other subjects.  Nancy was recognized by the Buenaventura Art Association for her work and her service to the art community with a Lifetime Membership.

Dave pursues his love of history with his business of finding antique firearms and other objects for worldwide clients.  “I love the search for just the right item for my clients.  Recently I found an original Colt revolver made in 1884, now worth a fortune.”

Dave and Nancy are generous with their involvement in the community.  As active members of the Buenaventura Art Association, they participate in showings at the gallery in Ventura Harbor Village, and Dave oversees the volunteer staffing of the gallery.  “You can find the arts and crafts of fourteen artist members of the Buenaventura Art Association here,” says Dave. “It’s open every day at Ventura Harbor Village, and the beautiful works here are made by very talented artists.”

In addition to their commitment to the Buenaventura Arts Association, Dave and Nancy believe in helping the community of animals. On a regular basis, they gather and donate supplies for a local animal shelter.

“We love retirement,” says Nancy, “because we can pursue what we’ve always wanted to do. We have a full life here in Ventura.”

The gallery is open every day from 11 a.m. – 6. p.m.
Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts.  641-2750

 

Erik ReeL represented in “Objects of Impossibility: Contemporary Abstraction” at Santa Barbara’s Sullivan Goss art gallery

Erik ReeL of Ventura will be represented in an art show, Objects of Impossibility: Contemporary Abstraction opening during Santa Barbara’s First Thursdays on Jan.5 from 5 to 8 pm in Santa Barbara at the Sullivan Goss art gallery.

The group exhibition will continue through Feb.27; gallery hours are every day, seven days a week, from 10 until 5:30. The Gallery is located at 11 East Anapamu Street in downtown Santa Barbara.

The exhibition of Erik ReeL’s work in this particular show at this time is a good sign for Ventura’s current art scene. Sulivan Goss has also shown the work of Ventura resident artist, Monica Wiesblott in past exhibitions.

This show will be exhibiting Erik ReeL’s Rebar 9 painting, a major work that was premiered in ReeL’s solo exhibition at the Museum of Ventura County.

All admissions free to the public.

 

Aimee’s aviary by Aimee French of the award winning education program “Learning To See”

In addition to heading up Focus on the Masters’ award winning education program, “Learning To See”, Aimee French is an artist whose latest creations are for the birds.

Well, not exactly for the birds. Rather, they are birds lovingly created by Aimee out of hanks of wool, assembled with bits of wire and a few sticks and stones.  Each creature has a distinct personality and is named accordingly. Shown in the photo above are Sasha, Bronson & Fernando!

Aimee’s aviary has been featured in several recent art boutiques, most notably Studio Channel Islands Art Center and Focus on the Masters, where a portion of the proceeds is dedicated to Learning To See Outreach. This program was originally designed for middle school students.  Typically an eight-week program with lessons that highlight the life and work of local master artists, Learning To See expands the students’ greater understanding of the relationship of their core curriculum studies to the world they live in.  The program has been modified for use with adults dealing with mental illness in a joint effort with Turning Point Foundation.  Children and adults quite literally learn to see the world through a different prism, one that nurtures focused concentration and the wonders of creativity.

Artwork by Learning To See students from DATA (DeAnza) Middle School in Ventura and Fremont Middle School in Oxnard is currently on exhibit at the Main Oxnard Library through January, 2017.  For additional information about Learning To See, go to FocusOnTheMasters.com.

Art classes for kids ages 7 to 12 while their parents shop at the Mall

Fridays & Saturdays 6:00 – 8:00pm.

We will help everyone enjoy their shopping experience even more. Kids can come to the Arts Collective Studio for wonderful, busy creative time. Several options will be available for them to choose from.  Parents just need to sign the children in.

More information and reservations required  676-1540 or [email protected]

$10 per 1 hour class. Sibling discount for additional children from same family $8 each. Older children and adults welcome if there is room

The Arts Collective Studio is an initiative of the Ventura County Arts Council with generous support from Macerich Corp and Pacific View Mall.