By Ventura Breeze Staff
Focus on the Masters (FOTM) Arts Archive & Library invites the community to enjoy a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes of one of Ventura’s premier arts organizations. Attendees will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow art lovers as we tour the archive. Two tour times are available at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Visitors will see first-hand the wealth of information about Ventura County’s great cultural treasures.
FOTM is a non-profit arts education group that documents and celebrates the wealth of artistic talent in our midst. Founded in 1994, FOTM has dedicated itself to being a unique repository of information about all artists living or working in our region. More than 2,600 individual artists and galleries are listed within the files. Close to 300 artists have been formally documented for posterity by FOTM. Their historic biographies have the power to inspire young and old alike. Each of their files are extensive and include oral histories, videotaped interviews, historic photographs, original art and extensive ephemera.
These one-of-a-kind biographies delve deeply into the personal life of each individual demonstrating how their development as an artist is influenced by their life’s story and how the roots of creativity are forged deep within the artist’s soul. FOTM’s priceless archive is the foundation for all its community programming including the Learning To See Outreach that provides quality arts education to schools and community centers in Ventura County.
Light refreshments will be served and the event is free. Donations are graciously accepted. FOTM is located behind Ventura City Hall at 505 Poli Street, suites 310 and 312. RSVP required. 805.653.2501. https://focusonthemasters.com.
