EVENTS & EXHIBITS
Vita Arts Center exhibits the work of exceptional artists with monthly shows open to the public.
Vita Art Center Presents
Children's Art Celebration
Opening Reception: Friday,October 1 from 6-9
Exhibition Dates: October 1 - 31
JOIN THE FUN IN OCTOBER!!!
Youth Art Exhibition Opening Reception Friday, Oct. 2, 6-9 p.m. exhibit dates: Oct 2 -31
"HOPE" Black & White Photography Exhibition of Children by STEVEN FALCONER
FREE ART ACTIVITIES Art Walk: Oct 16 & 17
STORYTELLING from around the world with MICHAEL KATZ also LIVE MUSIC with LUIS PEREZ FREE, Sunday Oct. 10, 1-3
Vita Art Center Presents
Mosaic Artwork of Rafael Matias
Opening Reception: Friday,Sept 3 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibition Dates:Sept. 3 - 26
Imagine seeing a large, vibrant and colorful piece of artwork. Detailed imagery, and intricate design. Then imagine walking up close and discovering that the picture you have been admiring from afar is actually made up of tiny beads. This is the mosaic artwork of Raphael Matias from Los Angeles, California. Raphael is a mosaic artist and his tesserae of choice are tiny glass beads. Each bead is individually placed with a pair of tweezers which explains why his current six foot square mural has taken fourteen months so far. Raphael began doing mosaics while living in South Africa. His early pieces were life size steel sculptures covered with Byzantine glass, glass beads and found objects. His first solo mosaic show was in South Africa in 1996. Raphael changed his style of mosaics to "mosaic painting" in contemporary style. Raphael describes himself as a "...story teller, writer, poet, who uses mosaic instead of words or brush strokes to tell my feelings and stories. The combination of my pieces are about balance and harmony between man, woman, lovers, family, community and my dreams. Always present in the pieces of my work is the heart representing the theme of love and forgiveness." Raphael has exhibited in over 50 shows in such museums and galleries as the Seef Trust Gallery and Metro Life Gallery in Capetown as well as El Pueblo Gallery, Barnsdall Art Center, Brand Art Center, Museum of Santa Barbara and many other locations in Los Angeles. His work has also been featured in the Bead Museum of Washington, DC and the Orlando Latin American Festival. He has been featured on the cover of Interweave Press Beadwork Magazine, in 500 Beaded Objects by Lark Books, in Passion for Beads from the Bead Museum of DC just to name a few of his many accomplishments. World on a String, an international documentary also features his work.
Vita Art Center Presents
"PIECES"
with Paul & Leighton Roux
Opening Reception: Friday,August 6 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibition Dates:August 6-28
"PIECES" features Paul and Leighton Roux - two artists new to Ventura: the exhibition showcases a fresh mix of painting, soft sculpture and performance art.
Vita Art Center Presents
"RAICES"
Opening Reception: Friday,July 2 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibition Dates:July 2-31
Vita Art Center presents "Raices" an exhibition showcasing the work of 4 diverse Latina artists. The exhibition highlights how these artists, despite their uniqueness, have commonly exhibited their relationship to their cultural roots. Featured artist include: Maribel Hernandez, Anna Bermudez, and Claudia Pardo-McFadyen. Also exhibiting works will be young artist Amadeo Perez at 12 years old his cut paper art is reminiscent of the folk art tradition of Mexico.
Vita Art Center Presents
Valori Fussell
Opening Reception: Friday,June 4 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibition Dates:June 4 - 26
The work of Valori Fussell is described as intense, alive and authentic.
"I know I am in an authentic place when I feel connected to what I am making and my heart responds to the work. The sensation of this connection fills me with purpose and excitement. And even though there is clearly a controlled hand in my painting and drawing there is also the inner guide which creates (and keeps) the "happy accident"." -Valori Fussell
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday from 10-5 Weekends by Appointment
Vita Art Center Presents
"The Eve of the Phoenix"
The Beginning of a New Day
Opening Reception: Friday, May 7 from 6-9 p.m.
Juried Teen Exhibition
Teens ages 13 -18 were invited to submit works in all mediums in the theme łThe Eve of The Phoenix˛ The phoenix is symbolic of rebirth, new beginnings & change.
Best of show Juried by Sylvia White
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
Vita Art Center Presents
"Love Thy Earth"
Opening Reception: Friday, April 2 from 6-9 p.m.
ArtWalk: April 17 & 18
4 artists each sharing a unique view on our earth the nature around us.
Marlene Struss: Best known for her work with recycled magazines in a process she calls photage. The basis of her unique photage technique is a sensitively built palette of complementary colors and textures from magazines.
Michelle Wilson-Pettit: Using gifts from the sea (beach glass and driftwood) combined with copper and nickel silver Michele creates an underwater seascape. All of the beach glass was sourced from local beaches over the past ten years. It was the intension to create the illusion of being underwater by creating horizontal screens of copper 'bubbles' and suspending them overhead affording the viewer a fish-eye-view while walking through and around the other elements.
Botbala Arvai: "Endangered Fairyland" features the art of Borbala Arvai and teaches us how to appreciate what we see and understand, as well as what we don't see and don't know much about: the unseen world of "Fairyland". The creatures of Fairyland are visible only when they want to be seen, but most of us know they are part of our nature. For generations, they have existed in stories, fairy tales, and traditions in every culture on earth.
Silvia Huerta: Showing some of her pen & ink stippling with watercolors. Her paintings are depictions of California flora and fauna.
Dianne Bennett: A love for the natural world informs Bennet't's work. A commitment to sustainability inspires her choice of materials and grounds. Using salvaged building materials, old metal signs, household objects, forgotten children's toys along with other discarded items to create pictographs, rebuses and altars. The intent is to create visual poems and hieroglyphic postcards to the future from now.
Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday from 10 -5 and Weekends by appointment
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
"Out of Context"
Bell Arts Tool Room Gallery
John White will work with a group of teens from Vita Art Center to transform the Tool Room Gallery in to a thought provoking installation piece. This is an eco-friendly art project to create public awareness about "green-living".
Friday, April 2 from 6-9: Come and watch the artists work in progress
ArtWalk, April 17 & 18: The transformation of the gallery is completedInstallation art describes an artistic genre of site-specific, three-dimensional works designed to transform the perception of a space.
"MARCH"
MARCH (verb) a. To proceed directly and purposefully, b. To walk steadily and rhythmically forward in step with others.
Vita Art Center & Bell Arts Factory Present
"MARCH"
a juried art exhibition focusing on the strength and achievements of women
3 Galleries and over 50 artists
Opening Reception Friday, March 5 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibit Dates March 5-28
Juried Best of Show: The selected artist will receive a $500 honorarium and their artwork will be featured on a 2010 "March" poster. The "March" poster will be sold to support the Vita & Bell Arts "Women in the Arts" fund.
Women Speakers: The month of March will feature an array of guest speakers.
CALL TO ARTISTS
"MARCH"
For a submission and guideline form, 3 page pdf, click here
Vita Art Center & Bell Arts Factory Present
"MARCH"
a juried art exhibition focusing on the strength and achievements of women
3 Galleries and over 50 artists
Submission Deadline February 12
Artists are invited to share their interpretation of "Woman and Strength" in personal or public spheres.
All mediums are welcome
$10 entry fee, $5 for each additional entry.
JURORS:
Anna Bermudez-Curator of Collections, Ventura County Museum
Susan Scott-ArtsLIVE Consultant and Nonprofit Specialist
Bevery Decker-Artist/Educator, Cal State University Channel Islands
"stART"
a juried art exhibition featuring a collection of works by students of Valori Fussell
Opening Reception January 16 from 2-5 p.m.
Exhibition Dates: January 16 through January 30, 2010
Vita Art Center is located in the Bell Arts Factory, 432 Ventura Ave. Studio 30, Ventura
Vita Art Center Presents
"Anonymous" Youth Scholarship Fundraiser
Friday, December 4th5-6 p.m. "First Dibs" gala, $50. pre-sold tickets
6-9 p.m. Reception open and free to the public
The Vita Art Center presents our first annual "Anonymous" art exhibit, a fundraising group exhibition that includes both emerging and established artists creating 12" x 12" pieces of art.
The paintings are exhibited anonymously with the artist signing the back of their painting. The fun is to collect work you like and maybe you can pick out your favorite artist's work and/or collect a "new to you" artist. There are a lot of great artists to choose from with each piece priced at $100.
For those wanting to get an edge on the competition there will be the "First Dibs" gala from 5-6 p.m.. Tickets will be pre-sold for $50.
The exhibition opens December 4 giving the community an opportunity to purchase original art in time for Christmas. All proceeds go directly to the Vita Art Center Scholarship fund for youth. On display will be art that has been generously donated by 75 artists.
Vita Art Center is an educational not for-profit under the generous sponsorship of Bell Arts Factory, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in Ventura, California. Contributions to Vita Art Center are fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. All donations go directly towards scholarships for youth with financial need. The scholarships provide an opportunity for youth to participate in art experiences, learning new techniques and creative expression. Scholarships are also granted to Teens eligible to enroll in our Teen Art Program, an intensive program helping teens with a desire to expand their visual arts knowledge, interested in pursuing intensive study in a professional art-school environment and/or students ready to prepare competitive materials for visual art college admissions.
Click here to purchase tickets to the "First Dibs" gala
Artisan's Holiday Boutique at the Vita Art Center
December 4 thru 24, 10-5 dailyStop by and browse our Artisan's Holiday Boutique! The Vita Art Center's gallery will have been transformed into an art marketplace featuring the work of Ventura artists ranging from pottery and paintings to jewelry and hand woven garments! Give something special this season......give the gift of art!
Vita Art Center, 432 Ventura Ave. Studio 30 www.vitaartcenter.com, 805-644-9214
Vita Art Center Presents
"Zero in Space: Past, Present and Future"
Rafael Perea de la Cabada featuring Recent Paintings, Prints and Works on Paper
Luis Perez featuring ceramic musical instruments
Opening reception: Friday, Nov. 6 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibit dates: Nov. 6-Nov. 29
"Zero in Space: Past, Present and Future" draws its title from the Mayan concept of zero. The Mayans used zero as a tool in their quest for the meaning of time, which was considered an attribute of the gods. In their search for the ever-changing stages of past, present and future time, the Mayans perceived it as coming from a divine realm in its very essence, permeating all and being limitless. The termination or completion of a time cycle is equated with death, but not as a finality, rather as a portal of human spiritual evolution. Zero does not mean that there is nothing, but that the counting has evolved or spiraled up to higher levels.
Rafael Perea de la Cabada and Luis Perez are two Mexican artists with a similar international trajectory. They share things in common, such as their place of origin, Mexico City, their lineage, which is a mixture of native Mexican Indian and European blood, and their love for their ancient Mexican art and culture and contemporary artistic expressions. Their powerful work is a reflection of this and much more. For the first time they will be sharing the same space where past, present and future meet in a timeless manner.
Perea's artistic touch is reminiscent of the elegant and symbolic Maya writings style fused with 21st century influences from both Mexican and European cultures. Luis Perez is a professional musician whose important contribution to Mexican music has been the use of pre-Columbian musical instruments in contemporary music by sound manipulation through electronic devices. Vita Art Center is proud to present Rafael Perea de la Cabada and Luis Perez's work as a joining together of their ancestral and futuristic artistic visions in the same space.
Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday from 10 -5 and Weekends by appointment
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
Ventura Art Walk
Vita Art Center Schedule of Events
Saturday Oct. 24 from 1-9 pm & Sunday, Oct. 25 from 10-5 pm
Make sure to visit our exhibits and events throughout the city.
Vita Art Center Gallery - Featuring the art of Scott Yeskel
Live Draw Event - 5 Artists, 3 costumed models and a live audience. Saturday from 2-8
Bell Arts Tool Room - "Physique", An exhibit focused on the human form. Featuring artists participating in the "Live Draw" event.
Vita Teen Exhibit - "The Sound of Silence"- Ventura City Corp. is exhibitng art created by Teens from Ventura. Curated and Organized by Teens in the Vita teen program.
Vita Youth Exhibit - Student work on Display at Bell Arts
"Park & Ride" at Stoneworks - Vita's students created art specifically for this unique exhibit featuring Altered Chairs and Bikes.
Sunday is family day with free art activities for all ages.
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
Vita Art Center Presents
Scott Yeskel
"L.A., Ventura and In Between"
Opening reception October 2 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibit dates: Oct. 2 - Oct. 29, 2009
Los Angeles based artist Scott Yeskel has been painting his love/hate affair with Southern California since his relocation to the area six years ago. Traffic snarls, boxy apartments and occasional car crashes often act as Yeskel's muse. It is when Scott switches to his abstract work, his love affair with the spirit and color of the West appear. That's right, Scott paints both abstract and representational landscapes switching back and forth using many of the same colors and themes. Inspired by mid-century masters such as Diebenkorn and Richter yet original in both content and style, Yeskel's oil paintings are true statements of contemporary California living. Yeskel's frequent visits to Ventura has served as a nice respite to his hectic Hollywood neighborhood. The sea and crisp air have inspired a current mix of colorful visions of the seaside town mixed in, ofcoarse, with his iconic L.A. cityscapes.
Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday from 10 -5 and Weekends by appointment
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
Vita Art Center Presents
photography by Steven Falconer
"Fashion From the Other Side of the Tracks"
Opening reception September 4 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibit dates: September 4 thru September 26
"Fashion From the Other Side of the Tracks" Will feature photographs of beautiful young people and their alternative styles of living and dress seen in the streets of America.
Present will be some of the "models" that are in the pictures. There will be conversation and maybe a paparazzi or two. Great music will be playing on the stereo. So dress up in your funky finest and join the party!
Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday from 10 -5 and Weekends by appointment
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
Vita Art Center Presents
MB Hanrahan
A collection of recent works
Opening reception will be held August 7 from 6-9 p.m.
Exhibit dates: August 7-28
Award winning artist MB (Mary Beth) Hanrahan earned an MFA in sculpture from Humbolt State University. In addition to creating numerous murals throughout southern California, she has experience with a wide variety of media, including photography, graphic arts, and set design. Always dedicated to creating a dialogue about social issues, MB is often an advocate for community ideas through her works of public art.
Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday from 10 -5 and Weekends by appointment
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
Vita Art Center Presents
Wil Shepherd & John Edward Marin
"Incomparable"
Opening reception, Friday, July 3, 6-9 pm
Show Dates: July 3 thru August 2
Incomparable explores two distinctively different approaches to the use of recycled materials. Both; painter, John Edward Marin and sculptor Wil Shepherd take advantage of these vast resources by utilizing discarded materials other wise headed for the land fill. With a consciousness for the environment these two artists demonstrate incomparably different directions, yet think within similar paths when considering each of their choices for materials.
Marin uses house paints he inherits, leftovers from remodeling projects, and customer rejects. Marin takes these rejects to an incomparable level, using what is commonly referred to as mis-tints, or oops paint from paint retailers, that otherwise would need to be recycled in processing plants, that are costly and hazardous to the environment. His creations are uniquely organic abstraction on wooden panels he builds himself, and finished in a protective coating of epoxy resin preserving their integrity and giving them fossil like appeal. Often people equate his images to sliced marble, or stone.
Shepherd uses broken, discarded, forgotten, found objects; the left behind, that were once whole and have been dismantled by time. Wil re-assembles these components into contemporary sculpture with a new story and purpose that is an imaginative expression of use and re-use. His sophisticated use of these materials yields "off kilter" sculptures with an underlying sense of whimsy. From pianos to teacups, Shepherd’s vision of the possibilities of these incomparable items highlights his imaginative and considerate approach to recycling, out of something most would not consider at all. These constructions give life to the lifeless, sparking hidden sensitivities, memories, and new pathways to imagination.
Gallery hours Mon-Sat from 10-5.
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
Teen Art Exhibit
"US"
Opening reception, Friday, June 5, 6-9 pm
Show Dates: June 5 thru June 28
Vita Art Center is proud to present the work of the talented young artists from our Teen Program. The teens are among a group of applicants that were selected into the program. The art displayed represents the work completed in our 12-week program.
Featured Artists: Annie Johnston-Glick, Aubree Nicoletto, Donegal Doherty, Gena Brookes, Hannah Kirkegaard, Jim Bern, Lizzie Barminski, Saoirse Doherty, Vanessa Wallace
The teens studied with the following artists: John White, Hiroko Yoshimoto, Sylvia White, MB Hanrahan, Luis Perez, Debi Nowak-Hawkes, and Scott Yeskel.
The Vita Art Centers Teen Program connects teenagers to contemporary visual art and artists in Ventura. Our Teen Art Program presents opportunities for young people to meaningfully interact with outstanding local artists from a variety of disciplines. During this in-depth program, students create their own artwork under the support and guidance of professional artists. Students receive instruction in a variety of mediums.
Gallery hours M-Sat from 10-5.
Vita Art Center, 432 N. Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura, 805-644-9214
