Category Archives: Ventura Art Scene

Julie Maechler will be on display at Very Ventura

Gallery V in collaboration with renowned local artist, Gerald Zwers, welcomes 2016 with the “New Beginnings” art show.  Artist reception will be held on Jan.23 from 6pm-9pm. The exhibit features the creative and inspirational artistry of Julie Maechler, Mark Tovar, Margery Spielman and Gerald Zwers. Gallery V is located inside Very Ventura Gift Shop @ 540 E. Main Street, downtown Ventura.   Exhibit runs through Feb 28.

Los Angeles-based artist Cynthia Minet solo exhibition, Avian

Los Angeles-based artist Cynthia Minet makes sculptures and drawings that reveal her interest in scientific and ecological issues. Her illuminated, life-size, mixed media sculptures of domesticated animals are constructed from found and repurposed plastic materials.

The solo exhibition, Avian, at the Vita Art Center, features works that primarily portray birds of prey. Minet’s research into contemporary falconry explored commercial bird eradication programs where hawks and falcons are flown through vineyards, airports and other locations several times a day, rendering them almost as domesticated as farm animals.

Vita Art Center, 432 North Ventura Ave. Studio 30, www.vitaartcenter.com

Opening Reception: Friday, February 5, from 6-9 p.m., Exhibit Dates: February 5 – 28

Gallery hours: M-F 10-4 pm Sat. & Sun. by appointment

 

Venturan Artist Mark Tovar

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Venturan Artist Mark Tovar is an outsider expressionistic abstract artist. He creates interesting, whimsical, geometric narratives unfolding between emotions, colors and light.

Encouraged to paint at a young age, Mark began exhibiting his paintings when he won a competition in 5th grade at Los Angeles Schools Robert Hill Lane Elementary.  He earned extra money creating his arts through high school in Alhambra. And college in East Los Angeles.

Recent Ventura exhibits of  artwork include the Ventura Art Walk, Bell Arts, Gallery 643 Project Space, Foster Library and Michele Chapin’s Stoneworks Studio & Gallery. He also is a member of the Ventura Artists Union, Ventura County Arts Council, Studio Channel Islands, Buenaventura Art Association. 279-6118—HTTP://marktovar.homestead.com

The Art Tales contest for writers inspired by art is now open

Previous Mayor Cheryl Heitmann addressing last year’s Art Tales at Foster Library

The City of Ventura is pleased to sponsor the eighth annual creative writing contest inspired by art, in partnership with E.P. Foster Library. Selections from the Public and Municipal Art Collections at Ventura City Hall 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.

Visit E. P. Foster Library or the links below and choose the artwork that inspires you to create and enter your own poem or short story, 500 words or less by April 4, 2016.

  • Free and open to all writers worldwide
  • Prizes in 3 age categories

“Artist Next Door/Our Local Story” is the Art Tales theme for 2016, celebrating Ventura’s 150th birthday in April, through four artists whose works in the Municipal and Public Art Collections tell our city’s unique story by depicting its classic neighborhoods, citrus orchards, proud history and hip downtown.”

Click the links below to view and download featured art, contest info and the required release form:

Teachers can contact Art Tales curator Tobie Roach at 658-4759 or [email protected] to request printed copies of materials for your classes and for further contest information.

More news about Art Tales can be found at http://www.cityofventura.net/arttales.

Gallery V “New Beginnings” exhibit

art galleryVAlong with every ending, there is a new beginning.  Gallery V – the newest fine art gallery downtown Ventura – is kicking off 2016 with the “New Beginnings” exhibit.   Brought to you by Very Ventura Gift Shop and in collaboration with renowned local artist, Gerald Zwers – New Beginnings artists reception will be held Jan. 23rd from 6pm-9pm. Exhibit runs through Feb 28th.  Located inside Very Ventura Gift Shop at 540 E. Main Street.

Wendy Winet and Lynn Fogel display art at Fox Fine Jewelry Jan. 21 – Mar. 6, 2016

art FoxWendy Winet (formerly Wendy Lefkowitz) and Lynn Fogel will display their art at Fox Fine Jewelry from January 21 – March 6, 2016. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, January 23 from 6 – 8pm.

Wendy Winet, a New York City native, has drawn and painted since she was a young child. Her family valued art education, taking weekly trips to the museums. Remembers Winet of the Museum of Modern Art. Winet graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from Pratt Institute.

Lynn Fogel has always been an artist, although she left the art world and worked in corporate jobs. But she was unhappy. Fortunately, it didn’t take Fogel long to return to her calling.

Fogel grew up in Santa Barbara, moving to New York City for her corporate career. Unfulfilled, she returned to art, training at The New England School of Art and Design, and at Montserrat College of Art.

Fogel returned to Santa Barbara in the early 90’s. For the next 19 years she sold her art at the weekly Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts show on the boardwalk, along with other local galleries. Last year she moved to Ventura.

Fox Fine Jewelry hours are Monday – Thursday, 10:30 – 7:00pm; Friday and Saturday, 10:30 – 10:00pm; Sunday 12:00 – 6:00pm. Fox Fine Jewelry, 560 East Main St.