Photos by Patricia Schallert

The show is curated by WAV resident artist Sarah Kalvin and will mark the thirteenth anniversary of the opening of the WAV in 2010. WAV is an innovative community that includes 55 live/ work spaces for artists, writers, musicians and other mediums.

Besides the children’s art the First Friday opening included numerous local vendors with their arts and crafts for sale in the gallery’s courtyard.
There was also live music.

“While once viewed as the controversial new addition to
Ventura’s growing downtown cultural district, Venturans have come to eagerly anticipate the next display of WAV artists individualism,” noted Sarah Kalvin.

WAV (Working Artists Ventura) is located at 175 S. Ventura Avenue.

Nine-year-old Santiago Salazar likes to paint with pastels. He wants to be a chef when he grows up. He was inspired after going to the Grand Canyon and when he came home painted these pictures.

Sophia Salazar is four-years-old and likes creating art with paint. She wants to be a ballet teacher when she grows up.

Vivian Sky Accola is the daughter of Sarah Willey who is an original WAV artist. Vivian is nine-years-old and enjoys acting, singing, dancing drawing and roller skating.

1st Place – Natives on the Hill – Bonny Butler At Studio 99 @ The Bell Arts Factory

Featuring works by Laura Jespersen, coordinator of Plein Air Ventura County

Many thanks to juror, Sharon Weaver, who chose our award winners and congratulations to these wonderful artists:

• 1st Place – “Natives on the Hill” – Bonny Butler
• 2nd Place – “Jays Grove” – Michelle Nosco
• 3rd Place – “House at Ojai Valley” – Bebe Betker
• HM – “Ojai Pink Moment” – Sylvia Oltion Shapiro
• HM – “Sunrise Walk” – Patti Handfinger
• HM – “California” – Cathy Winton

Exhibit Runs
Now thru February 25, 2023

The entrance to Studio 99 at the Bell Arts Factory is around the back of the building off of Wall St. Open hours: Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4pm

Fox Fine Jewelry presents Side by Side, an art show with Thomas Hardcastle and Bobbi Balderman from April 20th to July 30th, with an Art Reception on April 22nd from 5 – 7 pm.

Thomas Hardcastle grew up in Ventura County, attending Villanova and later Ventura College, where he studied art. His artistic appetite whetted, at 23 he moved to the artist inspired community of Ojai. His love was art, but supported himself working as a hairdresser.
Show information: https://www.foxfinejewelry.com/pages/side-by-side
Fox Fine Jewelry 560 East Main Street

Finding the Light Works from MVC’s (Museum of Ventura County) Permanent Collection

Beyond influencing shape and color, artists use light to impart meaning to viewers. These works from MVC’s collection showcase how light can elicit emotion, tell stories, and convey meaning.

Vita Art Center presents two new exhibits that will run through March, Women’s History Month. The main gallery features AKIN with Mother and Daughter abstract painters, Ann Thornycroft and Ariel Dill while the Nucleus Gallery features the work of mixed media artist Deborah Faye Lawrence.

Vita Art Center 28 E. Main

Judee Hauer presents her most colorful/whimsical mixed media “puppets” and small paintings at The Farmer and The Cook, 339 W. Roblar in Meiners  Oaks/Ojai.  All of February.

The Trestle, 2011 Oil on Canvas by Andrea Vargas

Light is essential to human life. It allows plants to produce the air we breathe. It lets us see. It regulates our sleep and affects our mood. Beyond influencing shape and color, artists use light to impart meaning to viewers. These works from MVC’s collection showcase how light can elicit emotion, tell stories, and convey meaning.

Finding the Light is the first exhibit installed in the Esther and Thomas Wachtell Family Gallery. This gallery has been created through a generous endowment from the Esther and Thomas Wachtell Family Fund and is designed to showcase the Museum of Ventura County’s permanent collection.

Finding the Light features works by artists Norma Krahn, Patricia Chidlaw, Guy Webster, Henry Chapman, Steohen Schafer, Cahrlotte Watts, Richard Ross, Tony Jankowski, Bill McEnroe, Carlisle Cooper, Andrea Vargas, Ginger Osgood Worthley, and Susan Petty.

At the Museum of Ventura County on Main. Runs through Sunday May 28.

Afternoon at Bryce – Thomas Decker

Plein Air Open Competition at Studio 99 @ The Bell Arts Factory

Original artwork by local artists, both Buenaventura Art Association Members and Non-Members.Featuring new works by Laura Jespersen,

coordinator of Plein Air Ventura County

Exhibit runs thru February 25, 2023

Beginning February 2, 2023, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) will be presenting its latest pop-up exhibition featuring the incredible artwork of Marie McKenzie.

Ojai-based artist Marie McKenzie places sustainability at the heart of her practice. Using salvaged wood and other earth-friendly materials, McKenzie creates abstract and figurative representations of marine flora and fauna with loving detail.

The Marie McKenzie exhibit will run through May 30, 2023. Entrance to the exhibit is included in the price of admission to CIMM.