Ventura - Premier Visitors Guide 2007-2008 - (Page 10) Ventura—Artsy, Eclectic & Organic Miles of beaches, unspoiled hillsides, rugged islands, verdant green fields and an authentic downtown cultural district rarely found anymore in the rest of California. Sounds like paradise, right? It is. DR. ED GAFFORD DONNA GRANATA V entura epitomizes California unspoiled—the newest and hippest eclectic mix of stores, restaurants and arts, amazing architecture and a pleasant relaxed community awaiting your arrival. Listed below are a few more ways to immerse yourself in local color and culture. Hundreds of acclaimed artists and performers live and work here, nurtured by the supportive arts environment and high quality of life. Galleries, performance spaces, theaters, and performing arts centers are popping up everywhere, and the downtown area exhibits murals and many other forms of public art. The region’s extensive talent pool of innovative artists offers an impressive array of cultural activities throughout the year. From the avant-garde to the traditional, Ventura’s vibrant arts scene has something for everyone. “Critic’s Pick one of the three most riveting stage experiences I’ve reviewed, period.”—Backstage West a series of free, self-guided tours of local art galleries, studios, museums and alternative venues on the first Friday of every month from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. Just across from BAA Gallery, check out the WPA murals by Gordon Grant inside the downtown post office. The City of San Buenaventura Municipal Art Gallery (501 Poli St., 658-4768) features the work of prominent local artists. Focus on the Masters (1147 E. Main St., 653-2501, www.FocusOnTheMasters.com) is an ongoing, nonprofit, biographical research project documenting Ventura County’s contemporary artists. They also sponsor a monthly Tuesday Talk Series from February through November, where you can meet the artists and experience their work firsthand. Tickets are $10, students and seniors $5; reservations requested. Other galleries include Accolades Gallery (451 E. Main. St., Ste. 9, 648-4080), Titus Paul Gallery (881 E. Main. St., 652-0667), The Bell Arts Factory (432 N. Ventura Ave., 643-1960) and Harbor Village Gallery (1591 Spinnaker Dr. 644-2750). The “Traveler,” a 30-foot steel tomol canoe Arts Scene The Ventura Artists Union Gallery (330 S. California St., on California Plaza, 643-3012) hosts regular exhibitions throughout the year. The gallery is dedicated to contemporary art and artists. Also at California Plaza you’ll encounter the leaping water and underfoot bronzes of “The Five Senses,” a 1995 sculpture by Mark Lere. The Buenaventura Art Gallery (700 E. Santa Clara St., 648-1235), represents more than 150 participating members and hosts juried exhibitions, solo shows, and artist’s receptions each month. The association also sponsors First Friday’s Ventura www.firstfridaysventura.com 10 VENTURA VISITORS GUIDE COURTESY RUBICON THEATRE CO. http://www.AMasterOfMagic.com/art http://www.FocusOnTheMasters.com http://www.firstfridaysventura.com
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