Paula Castillo’s exhibit, Illumination will be at the Discovery Gallery from July 3 – July 31, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, July 11 from 5 – 7 pm. “Illuminations” is Buenaventura Art Association’s first stained glass exhibit. Castillo includes lamps, mirrors and whimsical figures all rendered in varying colors and glass.
Castillo has always been fascinated by how glass distorts light: the color, textures and variations are endless. Her interest in functional art forms combined with her interest in stained glass led her to begin a series of lamps and mirrors. Taking her idea for a lamp from paper through the labor of construction is one of imagination as the end product is not evident until it is complete. After the last solder joint has been done and the polishing rag is put down, it is only when a light bulb is inserted and the switch is turned on that she can see the results. The true colors of the glass are rich with ambient hues and prisms of light dance on the ceiling.
The vibrancy and contrast of the desert skies and colorful mountains in Castillo’s native Albuquerque are reflected in her work: the multi-cultural and ever-present art of her native New Mexico continue to inspire new ideas in glass.
Castillo has explored various mediums including watercolor, acrylics and has spent much time doing intricate embroidery works. She took her first stained glass class in Los Angeles while living in Topanga and was immediately immersed. She began with the Tiffany foiled method of construction and has since begun using the leaded method of construction. Larger constructed pieces are generally made in the later method, however Castillo feels comfortable with both.
She has helped numerous clients see a vision of art in glass deigns through her custom installations in many Southern California homes and businesses. Virtually all of her installations are original works of art created for the client. These include windows, doors, skylights, transoms and other decorative arts for the home.
She has a particular affinity for modern design that is sometimes flavored with Native American and/or Art Deco elements. “I feel most inspired while designing abstract forms utilizing both the linear and curvilinear and inter-mixing them to create a journey for the eye”, says Castillo. “Because I have so many designs that are just waiting to come out, I rarely replicate a design, however I could easily make the same piece to look vastly different in other choices in glass. Glass can be opaque, translucent, semi-translucent, wispy, wavy, bumpy, bevel or multi-colored”.
Castillo has shown her work at street fairs and demonstrations from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles and has shown locally at various art galleries including: Café on A, Harbor Village Gallery, Camarillo Old Town Studio and Buenaventura Gallery. She is a member of the Buenaventura Art Association and is enthusiastically involved in many Ventura County cultural events.
Castillo earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico. She is currently the Office Manager at Buenaventura Art Association. Paula currently resides in Santa Paula, California.
The Discovery Gallery is located at the Ventura Visitor’s Bureau, 101 S. California St in downtown Ventura. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call the Buenaventura Art Association at 805-648-1235 or visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

Not Far From Here, Ron Zolkover’s solo exhibit will be from June 24 – July 19 with an opening reception Saturday, June 28 from 4 – 7 pm at the Buenaventura Gallery.
Our beautiful coastal region is Zolkover’s inspiration for “Coastal Impressions.” An avid outdoorsman, (he owns a boat, sails the Channel Islands and surfs) he starts most of his paintings plein air. “I love the challenge of painting plein air – when I started one piece, I was up on a hill and was fascinated with the way the sun hit the vines. I started painting at the same time that a large storm was brewing. The wind was blowing my easel around and I was painting furiously with one hand holding a brush and one hand holding my canvas. The next day, I went back to the site, and all the leaves were blown off the vines!” Zolkover finished the piece in his studio.
Zolkover has been heavily inspired by “The Oak Group,” a group of Santa Barbara artists that are both painters and conservationists. The Oak Group preserves undeveloped land on canvas and donates about ½ of their sales to various conservation groups in Santa Barbara and Marin County. Zolkover has taken some classes from their members as well as had numerous discussions with the members on painting.
Talking comes easily to Zolkover – he is a salesman whose territory is the coastal region of southern and central California. “I had a goal to never live or work more than a mile from the beach,” said Zolkover. “I’m proud to say I’ve managed to keep that goal.” He is a native Californian and has lived on Silverstrand Beach for 20 years.
The Buenaventura Gallery is located at 700 E Santa Clara St. in downtown Ventura. Hours are Tues – Friday from noon – 5 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. For more information, visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

I would like to inform you of a change of date for the Arthur Murray "Dancing Under the Stars" event. The original date was July 13th, 2008. We have moved it to August 24th, 2008. The location and time are still the same. It will be held August 24th, 2008 at 6:00 pm at Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort in Santa Barbara.

Arthur Murray Dance Studio is hosting a celebrity dance competition called "Dancing Under the Stars" to benefit the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of the Tri-Counties. The event will be at Fess Parker's Doubletree Resort.
The competition is similar to what is seen on Dancing With the Stars. It will consist of 6-8 local celebrity performers. The event will also include a silent auction of items to be donated by local businesses and organizations. All employees, including the director and the instructors, are donating their time. 100% of ticket sales and auction proceeds will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties. We are asking for your support to offset expenses in running the event.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization with local chapters throughout the country. It was established in 1980 and has grown into the largest and most professional wish granting organization in the world. The goal of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is to grant wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties call 1-888-899-9474 or go to: www.tri-counties.wish.org.

Last year was our inaugural event, and it brought in nearly $10,000! This year we have a lofty goal to double that amount. We can only do this with your help.

We invite you to become involved by:
• purchasing tickets to the event at $75 per ticket
• donating an item for the silent auction
• becoming an event sponsor through a cash donation
• offering a donation of services to support the event

We look forward to seeing you at this great event! For more information contact Arthur Murray Dance Studio at (805)963-6658 or (805) 495-1445.

“Meet me at the Fair! ”

VENTURA, Calif. – The Ventura County Fair is proud to announce the “Miller Lite Grandstand” entertainment line up for the 2008 Fair.

Wednesday, July 30 – Motorsports/Demolition Derby

Thursday, July 31- Motorsports

Friday, August 1- Doobie Brothers

Saturday, August 2- Sara Evans with special guest Carlene Carter

Sunday, August 3- Los Tigres del Norte

Monday, August 4- The Beach Boys (back by popular demand)

Tuesday August 5 (matinee) Suzanne Somers

Tuesday, August 5- Trace Adkins

Wednesday, August 6- Raven Symoné

Thursday, August 7- Plain White T’s

Friday, August 8- Tower of Power with War

Saturday, August 9- P.R.C.A. Rodeo

Sunday, August 10- P.R.C.A. Rodeo.

“Our concert series is the best opportunity for Fairgoers to see big name entertainment for the price of gate admission. There is something for everybody and it’s the best value this summer” says Barbara Quaid, Chief Executive Officer of the Ventura County Fair.

Additional information about the Ventura County Fair is available at www.venturacountyfair.org or www.myspace.com/venturacountyfair and by calling the Fairgrounds offices at (805) 648-3376

From the early beginnings of Ojai, then known as Nordhoff, smart and sassy women have been instrumental in changing the face of Ojai and all it has to offer. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet seventeen of these smart and sassy artistic and historic women of Ojai who will be featured in the Ojai Valley Museum’s exhibit beginning June 26 and running until September 28. These outstanding women contributed to the culture and enhancement of Ojai in the fields of art, architecture, sculpture, theatre and ceramics. Some of the women have recognizable names such as June Allyson, Charlotte Bronstein, Vivika Heino, Elaine Rogers, Nancy Rupp, Zelma Wilson, Beatrice Wood and Loretta Young. However, there are several others that made a lasting impact on our valley, but may not be familiar names to many such as Inez Berry, Florence von Breyman, Agnes Duncan Brown, Hope Frazier, Julia Morgan, Evelyn Nordhoff, Carmen Robertson, and Frances Clarke Sayers. This exhibit will include photographs of the women, artifacts of their lives and stories about who they were and what they have contributed to this community. Sponsors for this exhibit are the Smith-Hobson Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Kaufman of Beverly Hills. Opportunities for prizes will be available throughout the exhibit with the winners being selected at the closing of the exhibit in September. Among the opportunities will be three spa packages from The Oaks at Ojai, donated by Sheila and Don Cluff.

An opening gala will be held on Saturday, June 28 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the museum. There will be delectable hors d’oeuvres, a no-host bar, and living histories presented by “Dames to Duchesses”. Three of the Dames will be mingling with guests as they portray famous women in Ojai history. Catherine Dain will represent the artist, Beatrice Wood, Gai Jones will portray architect, Zelma Wilson, and Linda MacNeal will emulate the actress, June Allyson. In addition, Cricket Twichell will represent the child actress and art activist, Carmen Robertson. Music will be provided by Beverly Broadbent Beal, the current organist at the Ojai Presbyterian Church who will portray Agnes Duncan Brown, Ojai Presbyterian Church organist, at the turn of the century. The public is invited to this grand opening. For reservations, call the museum office at 640-1390. The $25.00 donation may be paid by check, cash or credit card. The museum is located at 130 W. Ojai Avenue and is open on Thursdays and Fridays, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sundays, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

First Fridays Ventura continues with a variety of exhibits and receptions for the public to attend. Every participating gallery/studio will have yellow balloons out front – so follow the balloons for an art-filled evening. New locations!
643 Project Space – closed for June & July. Reopens in August. www.643ProjectSpace.com. info@643projectspace.com or Monica Furmanski at 310-592-9127
Art Gallery of Grace – Mixed Media artist Lee Hodges studio and gallery. Refreshments provided during First Friday Gallery Crawl. Art Gallery of Grace. 1560 E Main St., Ventura, CA 805.302.3167
Artists Union - "Lucky" Soft opening May 2nd for First Friday. Members only exhibit. This is an open theme exhibit created especially for our members. This is always a very eclectic exhibit and a special feature of this competition (upstairs exhibit) will be the lucky juried group chosen to compete for awards and prize money. In addition, The City of Ventura Artists’ Fellowship Showcase. An exhibit to honor all 2007/08 grant recipients which includes Brad Barron, Alison Casson, Zivana Gojanovic, Donna Granata, Hilda Kilpatrick, Jeanne LaRocco, Paul Lindhard, Amy Maloney, Teal Rowe, Stephen Schafer, Ralph Silerio & Larissa Strauss. Congratulation from you r sponsors, the San Buenaventura Artists’ Union Gallery. Artists Union 330 South California Street Plaza, Ventura 805.643.3012 www.VenturaArtistsUnion.org
Bell Arts Factory – “The America Woman” traveling Colorado marble sculpture by Francisco Sotomayer. “The American Woman” is a life-size sculpture of a woman reclining atop a 10-foot long grand piano. The sculpture is carved from one 21-ton block of marble. The sculpture has traveled through Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Kansas and other places. This is her first visit to Ventura. Sotomayer drives her on a flatbead – the sculpture is enclosed in a clear crate. In addition, Parmlee Gomez collage exhibit in the community room as well as artist studios. Bell Arts Factory 432 N. Ventura Ave. Ventura 805.258.1160 www.BellArtsFactory.com
Buenaventura Gallery – Scott Wynn’s exhibit, “Central Coast Visions” will be at the Buenaventura Gallery from May 27 to June 21, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, June 6 from 5 – 8 pm during First Friday Ventura Gallery Crawl. Wynn’s images evolve from the life long photographer’s eye which he uses to express his view of California landscapes. Buenaventura Gallery 700 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura 805.648.1235 www.BuenaventuraGallery.org
Discovery Gallery – Pat Richards Dodds’ exhibit, Safe Harbor will be at the Discovery Gallery from June 6 – July 2, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, June 6 from 5 – 7 pm during First Friday Ventura Gallery Crawl.
The incredible colors and patterns of the sky playing against the sea in New Zealand, Tasman Sea and Australian waters called a challenge to Dodds. The brilliance of the colors drove her to experiment with a new palette and different oil painting products – her “comfort zone” or Safe Harbor had changed. This exhibit reflects those changes as well as the journey to her new Safe Harbor. Discovery Gallery (inside the Ventura Visitors Bureau) 101 S. California St., Ventura. 805.648.1235 www.BuenaventuraGallery.org
Fox Fine Jewelry - Kathy Ikerd and Maudette Ball Fink will display their work at Fox Fine Jewelry in an exhibition from May 15th through July 14th, 2008.
Kathy Ikerd spent 17 years traveling overseas with the military. The vibrant colors and elegant simplicity of the Far East left a lasting impression that often appears in her work. Kathy’s current work reflects a post-impressionist style and a heightened sense of color.
Maudette Ball Finck is both painter and printmaker, specializing in collagraphs and monotypes. Soft colors and close value relationships are characteristic in her work. She is influenced by the California coastline, gardens, environmental issues and the human condition. Career highlights include being the chairman of the City of Ojai Arts Commission.
Fox Fine Jewelry is located at 210 East Main Street, in Historic Downtown Ventura, Across the street from the Mission. (805) 652-1800. Hours are Monday – Thursday, 10:30 – 6p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10:30 – 10 p.m.
Red Brick Gallery - "Water World" May 12th through June 23rd. A journey above and below the ocean's surface has consumed the thoughts and creations of this group of artists: we invite you to view our version of the big blue, enjoy live music by Varon Thomas and sip some sangrias on June's First Friday. Red Brick Gallery 328 E. Main St. Ventura 805-643-6400 www.RedBrickArt.com.
Sea Breeze Gallery - Our showcase artist is Lisa D. Moore with Interwoven Circles "A Cycle Of Works". Exploring the interconnections amoung Diatom's, Pillow Lace, Temari Balls, Orbital Paths and more. For the June 6th First Friday we are hosting performance skits by the Dames to Dutchess performance group. They will start at 7pm and perform a different skit on the hour and half-hour. Sea Breeze Gallery 255 South Laurel Street , Ventura 805.643.3973. www.SeaBreezeArtGallery.com.
SPA by Diane Loring, Inc. at the Historic Love House – works by 5 artists. The 5 BAA Members currently exhibiting their artwork at the SPA by Diane Loring, Inc. at the Historic Love House at 119 Figueroa St. in Downtown Ventura are Nancy Horwick, Joy Berger, Wana Klasen, Tobie Roach and Kay Zeitlemaier. The show began on May 6th and will continue through July 7th. An artist reception will be on Friday, June 6th from 5– 7pm. Located at 119 S. Figueroa St., Ventura 805.641.0022. www.spaventura.com
Under the Sun Cultural Arts Gallery and Arts for Action is hosting “Una Noche de Otro-Arte” (An Evening of Other Art), a book reading by Canek Peña-Vargas, editor of the newly released book The Speed of Dreams,Selected Writings 2001-2007, Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos, and art exhibition dedicated to raising awareness about the Zapatista movement in Chiapas, Mexico.
We welcome the public to this educational reception to learn about the struggles the Indigenous people of Chiapas are facing and about Zapatista values -- such as land, housing, health, nutrition, women's rights, indigenous rights, workers rights, freedom, democracy, justice, and autonomy. All are invited to this book reading/art reception to meet Canek Peña-Vargas and the artists which include Xavier Montes, Dolores Haro, Emilia Garcia, Edmund Lara, Eduardo Hinojosa-Espinoza, Adrian Gaspar, Francisco Norzagaray and photographer Arturo Perez. Bell Arts Factory 432 N. Ventura Ave. Ventura 805.258.1160
Upfront Gallery – inbetween exhibits Upfront Gallery 267 S. Laurel Street, Ventura 805.340.1448 www.upfrontgallery.org
For more information regarding First Fridays Ventura, visit www.FirstFridaysVentura.com.

Pat Richards Dodds’ exhibit, Safe Harbor will be at the Discovery Gallery from June 6 – July 2, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, June 6 from 5 – 7 pm during First Friday Ventura Gallery Crawl.
The incredible colors and patterns of the sky playing against the sea in New Zealand, Tasman Sea and Australian waters called a challenge to Dodds. The brilliance of the colors drove her to experiment with a new palette and different oil painting products – her “comfort zone” or Safe Harbor had changed. This exhibit reflects those changes as well as the journey to her new Safe Harbor.
Art has been a part of Dodds’ life since her youth. As a student at Santa Monica High School, Dodds had lessons in drawing, design, painting, ceramics, sculpture; nearly unheard of in today’s public schools. Dodds was awarded a scholarship to study life drawing at Chouinard Art Institute, and followed up as a Fine Art major at the University of Washington.
After a hiatus devoted to raising a family, Dodds found herself on the short list of artists asked to be resident artists at an art organization called Studio 83 back in 1986. During this time Pat’s work evolved through the input of prestigious artist that included Gerd Koch, Hiroko Yoshimoto and Mary Michel. Though the group disbanded several years later, the value of the artist community resonated with Dodds.
More than 15 years later, Dodds led the founding of a new art organization, committed to similar goals as the original Studio 83, but with plans for a much greater longevity. Studio Channel Islands Art Center provides more then 30 artists with a place to create, the continuing challenge that professional artist provide one another, and the chance to serve as the mentor that once served them.
After a 20 year career as an executive banking officer, Dodds retired in 2006 to resume her passion as a painter. She is an Artist in Residence at SCIART. Dodds was recently one of featured artist in the 10th Anniversary exhibit at Studio Channel Islands Art Center. She was named Artist In the Community Award for the 2007 Ventura County Arts Council’s Art Stars Awards.
Dodds has won numerous awards, including a scholarship to Chouinard Art Institute, the Theme Award at the Ventura County Fair, San Buenaventura Art Association, Thousand Oaks Art Association and SCIART Juried Members Competition. She won the Grand Prize and President’s Award in the 2007 SCIART Juried Members Show.
Her work is in the private collections of Mr. and Mrs. David Nirenberg, Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Dufau, Patricia McCormick, John and Susan Kulwiec, Ms. Cindy Schwan, Sharon Clark Orfalea, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Cummins as well as others.
Her exhibits include City National Bank, Ventura County National Bank, Affinity National Bank, Buenaventura Art Association, Ventura County Government Center, the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, The Ventura Artist Union, The Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, the 2006 and 2007 Camarillo Art & Jazz Festival, Studio Channel Islands Art Center and the Studio Gallery.
The Discovery Gallery is located at the Ventura Visitor’s Bureau, 101 S. California St in downtown Ventura. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call the Buenaventura Art Association at 805-648-1235 or visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

Buenaventura Art Association brokered an alliance with Ventura College’s Elaine Tennen, the director of the Student Health Center. The association will exhibit works on a rotating basis at the newly opened health center.
Tennen called Buenaventura Art Association wanting to beautify the new health center, she felt that there were a number of walls that were perfect for exhibiting art. Christine Beirne, Executive Director of the association called Bob Moskowitz, head of the Ventura College Art Department and discussed the prospect with Moskowtiz. Moskowtiz felt that since many members were former Ventura College students, the alliance benefited all involved.
Beirne and Buenaventura Art Association office manager Paula Castillo visited the site, met Tennen and agreed that the site was perfect for an art exhibit.
The first artist chosen to exhibit at the Ventura College is watercolorist, Dr. Priscilla Partridge de Garcia. There will be a reception for the artist on Thursday, May 29 from 5 – 7 pm at the Ventura College Health Center located on the Ventura College Campus.
Dr. Partridge de Garcia was a counselor at Ventura College for ten years and worked to establish the Women’s Re-entry Center at the College that offered counseling, clothing exchange, mentors, books and support for women at Ventura College.

Ventura Potters Guild Artists will have their 49th annual show and sale in Ojai’s Libbey Park on June 7 and 8 from 9 am to 6 pm. Forty artists will display their latest ceramic creations ranging from functional pots to art pieces. “Our members produce functional and non-functional works in most of the available clay varieties (earthenware, lowfire, highfire, stoneware, porcelain) in sizes ranging from scale miniatures to large urns and sculpture pieces. Members bring a wide range of experience and abilities to the show.”, says Guild President Richard Franklin.

Held in conjunction with the Ojai Music Festival, the Annual Show is a great opportunity to see what Ventura County artists are creating in clay. The artists will be on hand to discuss their respective methods and techniques. A percentage of all sales at the annual show goes to scholarships for deserving students at Ventura County Community Colleges and Santa Barbara City College.

The Ventura County Potters Guild was founded in 1957 by local ceramic artists and teachers. It is a non-profit organization formed to promote the art and craft of ceramics in the community and to provide a forum for local potters to share their experiences and knowledge of clay. This knowledge is passed on through monthly programs with guest speaker presentations and member's show and tell, informative newsletters, workshops, shows, sales and a library that features both books and videos. Guild meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month from September through May at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center at 420 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura, CA. For more information contact Patti Hallowes, phallowes@msn.com or go to www.vcpottersguild.com.

Scott Wynn’s exhibit, “Central Coast Visions” will be at the Buenaventura Gallery from May 27 to June 21, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, June 6 from 5 – 8 pm during First Friday Ventura Gallery Crawl.
Wynn’s images evolve from the life long photographer’s eye which he uses to express his view of California landscapes. A native of Southern California, Wynn, has watched the countryside change from rural landscapes into urbanized developments altering the views he remembers of his youth. The oil paintings in “Central Coast Visions” evoke dreamy memories of an innocent and untouched California backdrop and effectively correspond with Wynn’s fascination in the unbelievable power of nature.
The multi- step process the artist uses to achieve his images begins with a composition constructed from one or more photographs. After working the layout on paper and on the computer, he begins to paint with layers of transparent pigment and color from an idealized memory of his subject.
This will be Wynn’s first Solo Show with the Buenaventura Art Association, but he has exhibited works in many venues including Santa Paula Art and Photography shows, Maritime Museum exhibits, LA and Ventura County Art Festivals and has received awards from the Buenaventura Art Association and the Ventura County Fair Professional Artist Competition.
The Buenaventura Gallery is located at 700 Santa Clara St., Ventura, California, 93001 Phone: (805) 648.1234 .Hours: Tuesday to Friday 12-5 pm .and Saturday 11 – 5. For more information, visit their website at www.buenaventuragallery.org.

Enjoy day tripping, but not the driving? Consider a Museum of Ventura County motor coach trip this summer. The first, on Tuesday, June 3, explores the newly opened Broad Contemporary Art Museum at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and the other on Wednesday, July 16, tours the exotic gardens of Lotusland in Montecito. Both day trips originate in Ventura.

The Los Angeles trip on June 3 includes a one-hour docent led tour of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, and incorporates time to plan your own lunch and explore LACMA’s other exhibitions and galleries. The cost is $45.00 for museum members, $55.00 for non-members.

The trip to Lotusland in Montecito on July 16 includes a guided tour of the exotic gardens at the 37-acre estate of the late Madame Ganna Walska. A picnic lunch at nearby Manning Park is included. Cost is $65 for museum members, $75 for non-members.

Space for both trips is limited. For further information, including start and return times, and to make reservations, call Jennifer Mackie @ 805-641-1876 ext. 305.

Lis J. Schwitters, A Pledge of Alliance, 2001, cyanotype
Enlarge Photo

Three contemporary photographers who use 19th century techniques will exhibit their work at the Museum of Ventura County from May 21 through July 6. Lis J. Schwitters, Isabel Gomes and Lawrence Gund will also give a presentation on Saturday, May 31, at 2:00 p.m., to talk about why they have looked to the past for alternative inspiration. Their work includes classic methods such as tintypes, pinhole photographs, cyanotypes, and Van Dyke prints.

This exhibit compliments the concurrent The Past on a Plate: The Photographs of John Calvin Brewster, running through August 17. Brewster was Ventura’s first professional photographer, and his images from glass plate negatives captured Ventura County life from 1874 until his death in 1909.

The Museum of Ventura County’s location during renovation construction is 89 South California, near the corner of California and Santa Clara Streets in downtown Ventura. The museum is open Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission, except for some events. For information, please call (805) 653-0323 or go to http://www.venturamuseum.org.

VENTURA -- The Ventura College Dance Department’s spring show, GOLD, celebrates award winning music, cinema, and stage performances. Through dance and song the audience will relive Grammy, Academy, and Tony recipients. GOLD will please all dance lovers with a full range of genre, including ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, ballroom, and tap. For music enthusiasts, there will be live performances from some of the county’s best vocal artists.
GOLD will be in the main theater at Ventura College Friday May 16th at 8:00 pm, Saturday May 17th at 8:00 pm and a 3:00 pm matinee performance on Sunday May 18th.
This original dance production is the artistic creation of the students in Dance 30, a course offered at Ventura College to give students real experience in choreography and performance. GOLD is directed by Becky Contreras, in conjunction with assistant director Darshana Chima.
Dance numbers will include performances to well-known music from such movies and musicals as Gone with the Wind, Doctor Zhivago, Chariots of Fire, Casablanca, Love Story, Zorba the Greek, An American in Paris, Chicago, The Godfather, Titanic, Wicked, Grease, Guys and Dolls, Dream Girls, Lion King, Schindler’s List, the Wiz, Movin’ Out, and Hairspray.
Music will include pieces from Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Sound of Music, Man of La Mancha, Camelot, Cabaret, Big River, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, and South Pacific.
Students from around the county will be participating in this series of performances:
Janesse Alcaraz, Karen Alfaro, Yulianna Alfara, Yadira Barboza, Jannely Becerra, Isaias Castillo, Latika Castillo, Glacy May Guijo Juan Carlo Gutierrez, Rudy Larrazolo, Erika Lopez, Jocelyn Liu, Ashley Martinez, Jessica Parizo, Rafael Rameriz, all of Oxnard; Alyse Herrera, Linda Isaac, April Rose Muentz, Shelby Schneider, Olivia Valdellon, all of Ventura, Eddie Martinez of Santa Paula and Micelle Muentz of Cape May, New Jersey. Danielle Barrette of Fillmore was also in the cast until her death in a car accident last week. The cast is continuing with the scheduled performances in her memory.
All tickets at the door will be $10.00. Pre-sale tickets are $10.00 for general admission, $8:00 for students, seniors, and faculty members. For more information, or to order tickets contact Becky Contreras at 805-207-5877.

Buenaventura Art Association artist Christine Beirne created and donated a kinetic sculpture for the Ventura Harbor Village titled “Seeking Peace.” The piece is mounted between two palm trees in the planter in between the Harbor Village Gallery and Hi-Cees restaurant.
The sculpture is a site specific piece consisting of origami-inspired steel cranes that rotate with the wind. Says Beirne, “BAA President Dan LaVigne requested a crane sculpture and Iris Austin with the Port District requested a kinetic piece; I wasn’t sure how to “marry” the two requests until I read the story of Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes. She was a young girl who contracted leukemia from Hiroshima. It is believed that folding 1,000 cranes will grant the folder a wish. It is said that Sadako didn’t get to 1,000 cranes, but through her efforts, the origami cranes symbolize peace. Since my cranes are rotating, they are seeking peace. I like to think that when they all point in the same direction, they will have found it.”
Beirne is the Executive Director of the Buenaventura Art Association. She studied sculpture with Ellis Jump at Ventura College and Matt Furmanski at CSUCI. She studied welding with Michael Clarke at Ventura College.
The Harbor Village Gallery is located at 1591 Spinnaker Dr , Suite 117C, (before the big lawn) Ventura, California, Phone: (805) 644 – 2750. Hours: 12 – 6 pm. Closed Tuesdays.

Margery Spielman’s exhibit, In My Backyard will be at the Discovery Gallery from May 1 – June 5, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, May 2 from 5 – 7 pm during First Friday Ventura Gallery Crawl.

Many of us are just steps from the sand, moments from the beach and the coastal California seascape is our backyard. Margery Spielman celebrates her own relationship and close proximity to the natural beauty and the abundance of wildlife here at the beaches of Ventura and the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel in with her show “In My Backyard”. Images of innocence and human ignorance in mixed media are juxtaposed for a conscious meander along the shorelines and under the surface of our oceans.

The knowledge and familiarity of her subjects come from her years as a marine naturalist and environmental artist. Spielman has been scuba diving since 1964 and has taught scuba and oceanography courses at Ventura College and Ojai Valley School. She has swam with and worked along side Jacques Cousteau, has exhibited her paintings from Paris to Hawaii and currently teaches with Elderhostel, an international organization for adventurous seniors. Margery Spielman’s exhibit, “In My Backyard” will be at the Discovery Gallery from May 1 to June 5, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, May 2 from 5 – 7.

The Discovery Gallery is located at the Ventura Visitor’s Bureau, 101 S. California St in downtown Ventura. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call the Buenaventura Art Association at 805-648-1235 or visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

Judy Klement’s exhibit, “California Places and Faces” will be at the Buenaventura Gallery from April 29 to May 24, 2008 with an opening reception on Sat, May 3 from 4 – 7 pm. In addition, a champagne artist preview will be held during First Fridays Ventura Gallery Crawl on Friday, May 2 from 5 – 8 pm.

Klement’s joyful renderings of “California Places and Faces” are pastel, watercolor and oil paint styled in the realistic -impressionistic style. Among the works are local vistas of sail boats, the Mission, the Topa Topas, the Pacific and sunsets. Traveling beyond Ventura, Klement also captures images of Moonstone Beach, some Morro Bay scenes, Yosemite and the High Sierras. There are also numerous portraits portraying a comfortable element of approachability: meet “Dream Catcher” or ladies of Ventura and California desert travelers. Klement explains how capturing these people and places “…go beyond the visual to an essence of being, of place, to share a moment in time preserved as art.”

Klement was born on the East Coast, but loves the beauty found in California’s scenery. Her home and studio/gallery are in Santa Paula. She teaches with the Ventura Adult Continuing Education (VACE) art program. An award winning artist, Klement’s portraits, custom art and murals are found in fine homes and establishments around the USA and abroad. Klement is a past President to Ventura County Pastel Artist and is active with Santa Paula Society of the Arts. She has shown at Buenaventura Gallery, Gardens of the World, the Museum of Ventura County, and Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. ,

The Buenaventura Gallery is located at 700 Santa Clara St., Ventura, California, 93001 Phone: (805) 648.1234 .Hours: Tuesday to Friday 12-5 pm .and Saturday 11 – 4. For more information, visit their website at www.buenaventuragallery.com

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Road trips and back roads took photographer Stephen Schafer to the images found in PlaceScapes, an exhibition opening April 26 at the Museum of Ventura County’s new 89 California Street location in Ventura. The exhibit runs through May 18.

Once familiar elements of small town American life, such as Laundromats, coffee shops, and drive-ins, are the focus of Schafer’s attention.

“I document and explore the significance of places commonplace before technology crept into every facet of our lives,” said Schafer. “Hopefully my images evoke memories of authentic places from the viewer’s past. The places seen in this exhibit may still exist, but many are lost forever.”

The black and white gelatin silver prints are from negatives shot on infrared film, which is sensitive to light the naked eye cannot detect. This underlying unpredictability is why Schafer has continued to use infrared film for all his fine art photographs since 1987.

Current president of the San Buenaventura Conservancy, Schafer is an active arts advocate in the city of Ventura. His international career in fine art, architectural and commercial photography began at Brooks Institure of Photography in Santa Barbara. Schafer is currently the Artist - in - Residence at the Museum of Ventura County and is also the Ventura Spring ArtWalk Featured Artist. On Saturday, April 26, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., he will sign ArtWalk posters at the Museum of Ventura County’s 89 California site.

Irena Jablonski will be giving a two-day Figurative Oils Workshop at the Harbor Village Gallery on Sunday, May 18 and Sunday, May 25 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The workshop is $160 for BAA members and $190 for non-members. The workshop is for beginners and advanced painters. To enroll, call the Buenaventura Art Association at 805.648.1235 or pay online at www.HarborVillageGallery.com.
Learn how to paint a nude or clothed figure, integrate it into the background, seeing shapes, color, value and edges. Artists will learn to:
• Work wet into wet, from start to finish.
• Begin with a light sketch
• Basic planning
• Refined modeling.
• Communicate your paintings to the viewer with a story-telling quality by supplying the settings and situations.

Students will work independently with individual attention, instruction and critique. A brief demonstration will start each class. Come and set free the magic of human subjects that awaits us!
An easel, basic set of oil paints and brushes, and canvas of a size 20”x16” are suggested. Students may bring their own photos to work from or use the instructor’s selection.
Irena Jablonski is an award winning artist represented internationally by fine art galleries. Her painting was featured in an instructional book “100 ways to paint People and Figures” issued by the International Artist magazine. One of her paintings was recently accepted for the annual Oil Painters of America exhibition 2006. She had numerous solo exhibitions as well as she took part in group exhibitions also in North Hollywood. As an artist she was featured in numerous newspapers and on TV. After a career in structural engineering she studied art at the University of South Africa in Pretoria. She continues to study at the California Art Institute where her paintings are very often featured in the literature.
The Harbor Village Gallery is located at 1591 Spinnaker Dr , Suite 117C, Ventura, California, Phone: (805) 644 – 2750. Open noon – 5. Closed Tuesdays.

VENTURA -- The Ventura College Spring 2008 Arts and Lecture Series continues with a lecture with George Yepes, Cultural Artist on April 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Second Floor Reading Room of the Library and Learning Resource Center on the Ventura College campus.

The event is free, parking is $1 and refreshments will be served. For additional information, call the Public Relations Office, Ventura College, (805) 654-6462.

George Yepes was born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. He moved to East Los Angeles at the age of four. He earned a degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in business administration, and joined the Public Art Center, leaving behind his hard street life and gang membership. He also took painting classes at East Los Angeles City College and worked both as an accountant and a muralist.

One of the more prolific painters in the Chicano Mural Movement of the late 70's, Yepes gained his early reputation as a ferocious painter when he painted with notables from Carlos Almaraz and Frank Romero to Gilbert "Magu" Lujan. He then became an instrumental partner in the mural group "East Los Streetscapers" from 1979 to 1985 until he decided that group painting wasn't suited to his temperament or pace. With grand scale and furious momentum Yepes has painted over 800,000 square feet of eloquent social, historical, and sacred images onto the facades of everything from churches, hospitals and freeway overpasses to album covers. His 28 murals are landmarks in Los Angeles, as are the 21 murals his Academia de Arte Yepes students have painted. Yepes established the Academia de Arte Yepes, the first free mural academy for young students in Los Angeles. Yepes has taught nearly 1500 low-income students over the last decade through the Academia. His mural painting concepts and designs continue to be studied by graduate students and scholars across the United States.

But mural painting is only one facet of this intense painters' focus.

Yepes' oevre incorporates religious iconography via his "re-imagination of the sacred", ethereally beautiful women, modern street violence, Chicano and Mexican Folklore/Elitelore, world history, and literature in powerful - sexually charged - atmospheres. Yepes' paintings have been collected by a widely diverse audience, from Sean Penn, Cheech Marin, Anthony Keidis, and Robert Rodriguez to Catholic churches on the east side of L.A., and City Governments nationally.

In 1993-94 George Yepes was partnered with Ricardo Legoreta, the Mexican Architect, as the duo "Lead Urban Design Team" for the $1 Billion Eastern Extension of the Metro Red Line of Los Angeles Subway, in charge of designing seven Metro stations and tunnels. He was chosen for his ability to impact structure during preliminary engineering - prior to final architectural design.

In 1998 the State of California chose George Yepes to paint the 70' vaulted ceiling of the State Archives Museum in Sacramento, the State Capital. This mural, "The Promise", depicts the emergence of California's Statehood incorporating elements from Aztec to Greco-Roman mythology.

In 2001 George was called to Illinois and left behind his mark on the city, a 24'x70' mural in Chicago. In Dec. 2001 the Chicano Visions/ American Painters on the Verge exhibit spearheaded by Cheech Marin, began a fifteen city tour with plans in the making to travel to Europe and Japan. The exhibit museums: The San Antonio Museum of Art in Texas; The Smithsonian in Washington DC.; the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico; the El Paso Museum of Art in Texas; the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla, CA; the Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, MN; The Mexican Fine Arts Museum, Chicago, IL; the University of Houston, Houston, Texas; Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis, MO; The de Young Fine Arts Museum, San Francisco, CA; Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale, FL; and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA.

According to a news release from the Academia, in January 2008, JPL in Pasadena unveiled murals created by Yepes' student muralists. The "Cassini Instrument Operations" murals were painted over a 6 month period at the Academia de Arte Yepes in Downtown Los Angeles, then permanently installed at JPL in Pasadena. 340 feet of murals created from four years of Cassini science returned as visualized through by the young artists. The beauty and magic of the skys can only be appreciated by walking slowly among these rings, moons and environments explored by the Cassini instruments and recreated by the muralists. This was for a 2007 Summer/Fall class assignment, Course Title "Fine Art Painting - For Lifers Only."

Yepes has exhibited in 12 solo and 45 group shows at venues that have included the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Sitges-Barcelona Olympics Exhibit. He had designed more than 30 public murals as well as an album cover for Los Lobos, a Grammy Award winning music group from East Los Angeles. Titled “La Pistola y el Corazon,” the cover has won numerous awards, and is in many museum collections. Sean Penn and Madonna bought the original painting for a record-breaking sum in 1989. Yepes’ work can be seen in the traveling exhibition, “Chicano Visions: American Painters on the Verge,” from the Cheech Marin collection.

The above biographical information on Yepes is from: http://www.georgeyepes.com/