Category Archives: Ventura Art Scene

Art Alfresco Invitational Exhibition and Art Sale

art museumFine art will be a highlight at this summer’s Art Alfresco Invitational Exhibition and Art Sale, presented by the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, August 22, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Stroll through the easels, booths and sculpture of thirty-one of the region’s finest artists, exhibiting and selling their work on the Museum’s Plaza and in the Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion. General admission is $10 per person, $5 per person for MVC members.

Premiering on the same day is the exhibition “Sitting Pretty: Portrait Photography from the Salon to the Selfie,” which highlights the Museum’s exquisite collection of photographic and painted portraits dating from the 1850s to the present.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. For more information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call  653-0323.

Dan Long sand art at Ventura County Fair

art longVentura Planning Commission Chair Dan Long has been creating sand art since he was in high school while other kids were playing in it. Now he lives right here by the sand. art long insetDuring the recent County Fair he was demonstrating his unusual art  showing how he creates his wonderful sand art by manipulating and arranging sand of different color in glass bottles. Among his very sophisticated tools are no.2 wood pencils.

New Location, New Look and New Name – Red Brick Art

art Red BrickWith the passage of almost a decade in downtown Ventura Red Brick Gallery is going through some new changes with a new look, new location and morphing into Red Brick Art.  Their new location at 4601 Telephone Rd #112 will focus more on classes with new weekend and weekday fine art classes for all skill levels and ages, as well as bi-monthly featured art exhibits.

The first exhibit “The Sweeter Side of Life” features Jen Livia’s newest series of food inspired paintings.  Wanting to challenge her painting abilities Jen set out on a new series of paintings all about things that are sweet from ice cream to cupcakes, brownies and donuts all with a realistic feel, vibrant colors and a whimsical feel.  “This new series was created to make you smile and be happy without the calories.”

Stop in and see the new location as well as enjoy an evening of Art with the girls of Red Brick Gallery. Please join in for their grand opening/ artist reception and evening of sweet things Saturday, August 22nd 5-7pm at Red Brick Art 4601 Telephone Rd #112.

Bruce David McFarland featured solo artist at Buenaventura Art Association’s Harbor Village Gallery

art McFarlandFine art photographer and digital artist, Bruce David McFarland, will be featured as the solo artist at Buenaventura Art Association’s Harbor Village Gallery during the month of August.

McFarland’s Solo show, “East Coast West Coast,” will feature images from California, New York, and Massachusetts. His images include traditional and altered photography; digital paintings and digital watercolors, as well as unique and intriguing multiple exposure compositions.

The public is invited to meet the artist at the Artist’s Reception, August 15, 4 pm to 7 pm.

He has won numerous awards for his work. His most recent award was the prestigious David Holt award, presented in June by the Santa Barbara Art Association, for “Chelsea Market,” a multiple exposure study highlighting the human experience in Manhattan’s trendy shopping district of the same name.

“I make my images in a variety of sizes and on different media, so everyone can afford to own my work,” McFarland stated. Images will be available as fine-art greeting cards, 12 X 16 fine-art prints, and hand-signed larger versions.

Harbor Village Gallery is located at 1591 Spinnaker Dr., 177C, 644-2750. The Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Vita Art Center presents Horacio Martinez

art martinezVita Art Center presents Horacio Martinez

Opening Reception: Friday, August 7 from 6-9 p.m.

Exhibit Dates:August 7 – August 31

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

There is something deeply personal about Horacio’s portraits.  Apart from the obvious skill with which they are made, they show us something about the connection he has to each sitter.  They are not glitzy, glamorous, or slick, but rather, are  earnest expressions of human qualities, whether  a dignified display of masculinity, or a demure, genteel sense of the feminine. These portrayals have a sense of the quiescent–a peaceful, non-judgmental view of what is so, tenderly rendered, elemental traits of strength and love expressed and honored above flash, fame, notoriety and all superficial worldly success.

Vita Art Center, located in the Bell Arts Factory 432 N. Ventura Ave. Studio 30 www.vitaartcenter.com

End of summer show at The HUD Gallery

art HUD galleryThe end of summer show at The HUD Gallery is their most progressive exhibit to date! This show is all about applications and this group of multi-disciplined artists have truly raised the bar. Featuring artists from Italy, New York, Texas and more! Exhibit curated by Dab Art. For more information visit  www.dabart.me

Opening Reception  Friday, August 7th 6pm -10pm

Exhibition Dates August 7th – 30th

Regular Gallery Hours | Weds/Thur/Fri 5-9pm

1793 East Main Street

626.8876

22nd ArtWalk Ventura the weekend of July 18-19th

art ArtWalkFoto: MB Hanrahan, Pedro Pulido and five of the many students from Vita Art Center are working on the several murals for ArtWalk

The streets of the city of Ventura’s historic Downtown and Westside Cultural District will transform into a mecca of artistic expression, and bring Cuban culture and history during the 22nd ArtWalk Ventura the weekend of July 18-19th. ArtWalk will present something unique this year by bringing “From Havana to Ventura,” which is an inspiring tale about abiding friendship, torn barriers, artistic collaboration, determination, and a series of special events and exhibits, including a collaborative public mural.

ArtWalk will welcome renowned Cuban sculptor and painter, Pedro Pulido and Cuban historian Victor Pina, a former aeronautical engineer. Both are Cuban creatives who have built a close relationship with prominent artists in Ventura resulting in their upcoming visit and participation in ArtWalk.

The “Havana to Ventura Mural Project,” is a highly anticipated artistic collaboration between local muralist MB Hanrahan and visiting artist, Pulido. The mural will reflect the styles of both community painters, and contain elements shared by both Ventura and Cuban culture. The mural is at 50 W. Main Street and visible from Main Street, under the generous sponsorship of the building owner, Josh Addison and the Addison family.

Vita Art Center will be a hosting two, weeklong mural workshops, starting June 29, through its Summer Teen Program, which will be a great opportunity for young aspiring artists to work on a large-scale public art project in Ventura County.

ArtWalk is a free, self-guided tour of more than two dozen high-end art galleries, pop-up stores and studios, as well as the return of 15 PODS® Containers transformed into mini art galleries. The PODS Containers were generously provided by PODS of Tri-Counties owner Steve Yapp. Attendees also may take advantage of the free shuttle service, which connects venues along Ventura Avenue and Main Street.

“We’re thrilled with the growth ArtWalk Ventura has experienced over the past two decades, and especially excited for the Havana to Ventura artistic collaboration,” said Mary Perez, ArtWalk Ventura organizer and owner of Vita Art Center.