Location
Vita Art Center is located at 28 W. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001
Vita is expanding! Look for Vita Art Studios and Vita Ceramics opening soon! For ArtWalk:
WATER
RICK STICH • COLIN FRASER GRAY • CHERYL ANN THOMAS • MARIA ADELA DIAZ • BILL DEWEY • MARIE McKENZIE Ventura ArtWalk: September 21 & 22, Sat. 12-5pm Sun. 11-4pm The WATER exhibit at Vita Art Center presents an exploration of water through various artistic mediums, each piece delving into the multifaceted essence of this vital element. Featuring drawings by Rick Stich, inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci's "A Deluge," the exhibit invites viewers to experience the dramatic and turbulent beauty of water. Colin Fraser Gray’s work captures the dynamic movement and fluidity of water, influenced by his escape from a near drowning experience. Adding to this diverse collection, Marie Mackenzie’s kelp oil paintings reflect her connection to environmental concerns, emphasizing the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. Maria Adela Diaz’s video piece addresses the Latin American diaspora, shedding light on the often invisible roles of women in contemporary society. Cheryl Ann Thomas’s ceramics evoke the transience and fragility of life, while Bill Dewey’s close-up wave photography offers a stunning, intimate perspective on the power and grace of water. Together, these artists create a cohesive narrative that celebrates water's significance and its profound impact on life and art. 
COLLAGE
Mike Blaha, Michael Deragon, Scott Gordon, Colleen M. Kelly , Dan Levin, Gail Pine, Paddy Reynolds, Ilene Segalove, Jacqueline Woods Ventura ArtWalk: September 21 & 22, Sat. 12-5pm / Sun.,11-4pm The exhibition "Collage" brings together the works of 10 contemporary Southern California artists who work in collage as an important component of their studio practice. Emerging prominently in the early 20th century with Cubists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, collage revolutionized traditional notions of composition by incorporating pieces of newspapers, wallpaper, and other materials into their paintings. This innovative approach reflected the fragmented nature of modern life and paved the way for further experimentation by the Dada movement, with artists like Hannah Höch and Kurt Schwitters creating provocative, politically charged works. Throughout the 20th century, collage continued to evolve, influencing various art movements such as Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art. Artists like Max Ernst, Robert Rauschenberg, and Romare Bearden utilized collage to explore themes of identity, culture, and abstraction. In the digital age, collage transcended physical boundaries, incorporating digital media and technology, further pushing the limits of visual storytelling and artistic expression. In "Collage," our 10 featured artists build on this storied tradition, each bringing their unique perspective and technique to the medium. Their works span a range of materials and themes, reflecting the versatility and enduring appeal of collage. 
BENJAMIN PROVO
Ventura ArtWalk: September 21 & 22, Sat. 12-5pm / Sun. 11-4pm ARTIST STATEMENT: I am a self-taught artist working in ceramic, painting, and mixed media. I received a BA from Sarah Lawrence College with a concentration in performance and poetry, and have spent most of my adult life as a curator, art dealer, and studio director for leading contemporary artists and galleries in New York and Los Angeles. Because of my involvement in the business side of art, I kept my personal art practice private until 2018 when I had my first exhibition of paintings and ceramic objects, although I had been making paintings, works on paper, and ceramic objects since the late 1990s. For much of my creative life, I have been concerned primarily with material, surface, time, entropy, and process - modes and practices directed at maximum attention to the material rather than the maker. After a decade or more of mastering the chemistry and alchemy of ceramic firing and glazing techniques, and exploring the outer limits of what could materially qualify as a painting or drawing, I realized that there was very little of “me” left in the work I was making, and so I turned my attention to the scariest thing that I could do, which was asserting my own voice back into the work. While my recent work in clay continues to employ traditional vessel forms as an armature for exploring mark-making, poetry, and geological texture, informed by a close study of archaic Greek, Judaic and Levantine pottery, the works in this exhibition are aimed at direct engagement with the viewer in real time, in real space. With humor, with hope. With sincere tribute to love and loss and good times, too. I hope a lot of people can see themselves in this work. This body of work is me wearing my heart on my sleeve, as they say. Coming home to this place after so many years away has meant coming home to a form of expression that is direct and unfiltered. And hopefully a lot of fun. |
About the VenueVita Art Center
The Vita Art Center in Ventura is a vibrant and thriving community space that promotes the arts and encourages creativity and self-expression. Home to three galleries, a ceramic studio, and outdoor classroom, Vita offers a wide range of programs and events, including exhibitions, workshops and classes that are designed to engage and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. Through a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, the Vita Art Center plays a vital role in the cultural fabric of the city and serves as a hub for artists and art enthusiasts alike. Vita Art Studios VITA ART STUDIOS is an art community for working artists located at 50 West Main Street adjacent to Vita Art Center. Our goal is to not only provide workspace but a community where artists can gather, collaborate, and share their creativity. We are dedicated to cultivating a vibrant environment for working artists that fosters a comprehensive and dynamic artistic community. Now accepting applications Vita Art Center is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, EIN 87-4540920 www.vitaartcenter.com |