July 3rd Featured Location is Bell Arts Factory

Bell Arts Factory – LIFE ALONG THE MEKONG A Spirited Snapshot View – The River, The People, The Spirit

Richard Newsham is the Civic Engagement Specialist for the City of Ventura. Through the years his support for the artists in the community has been invaluable. Now it’s time to turn the tables on Newsham, and to show his talents to us. He’s a poet who plays off the imagery of an artist whose work impressed him, and he can spot a sensitive moment that becomes an image for his private album. He’s an appreciator of the uniqueness in people, in his home country or when he encounters them abroad. For the month of July, Newsham finally shares his favorite things with us at Bell Arts Factory’s Tool Room Gallery.

Newsham partnered with friend Cathy Fortuna, to travel to Laos, and to produce a snapshot’s view of life along the Mekong. The River, The People, The Spirit, are subjects of a photo exhibit, with touches of poetry and splashes of colorful weavings of the region.

First Friday, July 3, is the reception for the first City employee to exhibit at the Tool Room Gallery. The installation is the work of artist Sarah Kalvin who curates the space. The reception is from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, with light refreshments. The exhibit runs from July 3 to July 26. Gallery hours are Saturdays 2:00 to 4:00 pm, or by appointment call: 805.653.1174.

To view a map of the location of the Tool Room Gallery in the heart of Bell Arts Factory, visit: www.bellartsfactory.com/toolroom.html

432 N. Ventura Ave. Ventura 805.258.1160 www.BellArtsFactory.com

643 Project Space – Closed Until September First Friday

643 N. Ventura Ventura www.643ProjectSpace.com. To schedule an appointment: info@643projectspace.com or Monica Furmanski at 310-592-9127

Buenaventura Gallery – "fuSion, The Art and Craft f Warm Glass" by Frances Elson June 23 - July 18, 2009

Warm glass is an organic material whose properties are constantly changing during the creative process. For Frances Elson, working in this ancient medium presents constant challenges and the opportunity to blend creative expression and technical skill. This solo exhibition represents this combination of fine art, applied art and craftsmanship. The pieces in the exhibition range from fine tableware, jewelry and home décor to fine art pieces including two and three dimensional wall hangings and sculpture. Artist will be on hand during First Friday to answer any questions you may have.

The Buenaventura Art Association celebrates 55 years in 2009!

Buenaventura Gallery 700 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura 805.648.1235 www.BuenaventuraGallery.org

Clocktower Inn Hotel - Paintings by Len Poteshman from Bell Arts Studios.

181 E. Santa Clara St. Ventura Ca. 93001 805-652-0141 Reservation 800-727-1027 www.clocktowerinn.com

Discovery Gallery – Susan Guy "Local Explorations"
July 3 - August 5, 2009 Artist Reception July 3, 5-8pm

Bright and bold colors in landscapes which are created entirely on location in watercolors and oils will be on exhibit during the month of July at the Discovery Gallery. Images from the Channel Islands National Park, Ojai and Ventura are the scenes Susan Guy shares with us as her expression of the importance of keeping our natural environment healthy. As a conservationist and a health professional, Guy's mission to teach the value of utilizing and experiencing the outdoors are shared through the plein air art work she creates. Artist will be on hand during First Friday to answer any questions you may have.

Discovery Gallery (inside the Ventura Visitors Bureau) 101 S. California St., Ventura. 805.648.1235 www.BuenaventuraGallery.org

Fox Fine Jewelry - Phyllis Doyon and Wendy Lefkowitz will display their art in A Pigment of my Imagination, a show at Fox Fine Jewelry running from May 14 through July 6, 2009. Artists’ Reception will be Saturday, May 16th, 6 – 9 pm.

Doyon’s watercolor paintings exude color and emotion. She paints with exuberance and flair, intriguing the viewer with her confident strokes. Doyon’s wide range of styles and subjects, encourage her patrons to become collectors of multiple pieces.

The watercolor art of Wendy Lefkowitz features whimsical views of the beauty around us. A strong feeling for the glory of nature is reflected in the many floral pieces in her portfolio. Her still lifes combine beautiful cut flowers and cherished possessions.

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. www.FoxFineJewelry.com

Museum of Ventura County - Artifishial Hatches, an exhibition of recent paintings and drawings by John White, noted painter, sculptor and performance artist. The agitated movement of insect hatches on free-flowing streams inspired the abstracted water landscapes.White 's work is in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian, the Guggenheim Museum, and the LA County Museum of Art, among others. Continues through July 5. Also through July 5: Picture This! The Magic of Children's Books, featuring original illustrations by writer /authors Caldecott Medal winner Simms Taback, Mary Ann Fraser, and Carol Heyer, as well as books by authors Alexis O’Neill, Amada Irma Pérez , and Jody Fickes Shapiro. Open until 8 pm.

Open until 8 pm. Museum of Ventura County 89 S. California St. 805.653.0323 www.VenturaMuseum.org

Red Brick Gallery - "Liquid Blue" a group show featuring 25 artists whose work has been influenced by the ocean and the creatures residing under the surface. Photography above and below the water is captured by Dan Harding, Jim Martin, Jocko McFadden, Kevin Cory, Dan Holmes, and Kim Carlsberg. Adventure through the mystical digital landscapes by Len Burges or delve into the various layers of Sue Harding's mixed media pieces featuring sea creatures big and small. Soft Shore Scapes are represented by Oil painter Jean Glass, abstract acrylics by Jen Livia, flowing watercolors by Joe Cibere and whimsical critters by Phyllis Gubins add a layer of texture to the show. Plus a variety of 3 dimentional creations are represented in David Rivas' stone and metal sculptures, Steven Flormans wood and metal sculptures as well as Celia Hartmans Bronze animals. Join us for artist demonstrations from 6-9 on First Friday and our Artist Reception from 6-9pm on June 6th.

New Location 315 E. Main St. Ventura Ca 93001 805-643-6400 www.RedBrickArt.com

San Buenaventura Artists' Union Gallery - … and So Far, members only show June 20 thru August 2 Opening Reception: Saturday, June 20th, 6 to 9 pm

“An artist’s journey has stopping points—pauses for reflection— ‘And So Far…’ looks at where we are, individually and collectively on our journey.”

This exhibit is an open theme, member only exhibit. Each artist is guaranteed one entry in this exhibit. Second and third entries will be juried in depending on space available.

330 S. California Street Plaza. Ventura 805.643.3012 www.VenturaArtistsUnion.org

Sea Breeze Art Gallery - "Through the Window" art by Stacie Logue May 21 - June 13, 2009

Ms. Logue states: "I am fascinated by the night sky with all its twinkling stars, planets and the Moon’s cycle.  When I turn off the light at the end of the day I gaze out the window to the sky.   It is the greatness and the mystery of the cosmos that has inspired this series."

Her images are painted on recycled brown bags and packing cardboard, using washes of acrylic paint. Furthering her ecological sensibility, she uses reclaimed windows and their frames to exhibit the work.

255 S. Laurel St., Ventura 805.643.3973 www.SeaBreezeArtGallery.com

Stoneworks Studios & Gallery - Stoneworks Studio and Gallery present…”Pieces of Eight”….An exhibit of Contemporary works picked by the artists from their current collections…M. B. Hanrahan, Don Ulrich, Vonder Gray, Michele Chapin, Eric Reel, Monteve Miller- Clay, Jeanne La Rocco, Linda Peterson, and Anne Marie Simmon Enjoy conversion at the artists mixer from 8-10p.m., hot chai tea and brownies, and whatever unplugged musicians and poets happen thru.

300 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, CA 93001 805.643.5431 www.StoneWorksStudios.com

Sylvia White Gallery - Beginning Friday, July 3, from 8-9pm the Sylvia White Gallery is pleased to present 5x5x5, an exclusive ongoing First Friday Series of events featuring an evening of short performances curated by John White. There will be 5 artists, each performing on a rotating schedule for 5 minutes. Please join us for an eclectic blend of art, poetry, music, and our legendary cupcakes.

1783 E. Main St., Ventura 93001 805.643.8300 www.SylviaWhite.com

V2 Gallery - “In the Mood” Artworks inspired by Music by Charles Fulmer, Charles Kaplan, Warren Scherich, Richard P. Schaefer and Wyndra Roché

Charles Fulmer’s figurative oils depicting musicians at play join players of other sorts in Warren Scherich’s signature acrylic series on the walls of the intimate brick-lined V2 Gallery space. This pleasing multi sensory exhibition features Richard Schaefer’s lusciously ephemeral 2D abstractions graced by supple compositional symbols dancing across their surfaces. “In the Mood” includes stone sculptures, pirouetting life-size metal ladies, and pieces to bring rhythm into your world.

Event: Friday July 3, 7-9pm Rick Reeves plays live in our private courtyard. Guitar virtuoso and “Man of the Blue Aura”, Rick will regale us with classics from Dixon to Hendrix … and many of Wyndra’s other favorites!

1899 E Main St., Ventura 93001 805.512.1530 www.V2Gallery.com

Vita Art Center - "Incomparable" Works by John Edward Marin & Wil Shepherd Opening Reception Friday, July 3, 6-9 p.m. Exhibit Dates: July 3 – Aug. 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. Marin’s 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 as a new whole, 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.

432 N. Ventura Ave Studio 30, Ventura 93001 805-644-9214 www.VitaExplorations.com