Ventura, CA - Fifty entries from Community Memorial Hospital’s first annual Open Competition art exhibit will be displayed on the hospital’s first-floor walls through Jan. 7, 2012.

The exhibit is a joint partnership between CMH, the Buenaventura Art Association, the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation and the City of Ventura. All paintings and drawings on display are by local artists, with proceeds to be used for future exhibits as well as to benefit local artists, the Buenaventura Art Association and the foundation’s philanthropic efforts.

CMH has been holding art exhibits quarterly for the past three years, and co-curator Sue Pollack noted they have proved to have a soothing effect on the hospital’s visitors.

“It’s not just the patients and their families, it’s the hospital staff as well – from physicians to those who work in the labs,” Pollack said. “For them to come to work every day and get to enjoy good art… They tell us all the time how much they enjoy it.”

Christine Beirne, vice president of the Buenaventura Art Association and the exhibit’s other co-curator, shared a story about the time a woman approached her and Pollack as they were helping set up a previous exhibit.

“She told us, ‘I come here every month for treatment and it’s so wonderful to see all this wonderful artwork,’” Beirne said. “It was so gratifying to hear that.”

Unlike in previous art exhibits at CMH, there is no theme. Local artists were asked to submit “Just plain good art!” And for the first time, artists were awarded for the best entries.

Jessica Cusick, Cultural Affairs Manager for the City of Santa Monica who has long been a prominent figure in the Southern California art scene, judged the entries.

“Jessica is a professional with enthusiasm and a deep love for art and artists,” Beirne said. “She had a very difficult time picking the pieces, but felt passionate about all that were chosen.”

The top prize went to Pamela Price Klebaum of Camarillo for her photograph entitled “Homeless.” Marlene Engle, an 80-year-old Ventura resident, placed second for her watercolor “Pear in a Pear Tree” on watercolor paper. Robert Diehl of Camarillo placed third for his photograph entitled “The Knitter.”

Honorable Mentions were awarded to Bob Privit, “Circus Toys: Acrobatic Elephants,” missed media; Daniel Mooney, “Ogre,” on pen and ink; and Gregory Radinov, “Spectator,” watercolor on paper.

Community Memorial Hospital is a member of Community Memorial Health System, a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and ten family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.