Young Artists Art Exhibit Winners Announced by the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley

1st Place: Hadley Brady, Grade 8, “Lady in Black” Charcoal (Photo by Paul Cranmer)

The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley held its annual HANG WITH THE BEST 20/20 art show featuring art by young artists in grades 6 through 12 in different mediums including paint, photography, 3D and drawing. An awards reception was held on February 12 form 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks.

Cash and prizes were awarded to winning entrants, along with certificates. Over sixty students participated in this show, and the largest category was photography.

Hang with the Best provides an opportunity for young people to display their art in a professional public gallery. All eligible entries are placed on exhibit and funding for this event is provided through the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley.

WINNERS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL CATEGORIES INCLUDE: ARTS COUNCIL OF THE CONEJO VALLEY (ACCV) BOARD AWARD: Katie Kersnick, Grade 10, “La Mariposa de Immigrante” Digital Photography, HCFA STAFF: Enola Lagrave, Grade 12, “Ocean of White” Digital Photography, GREG COLE MEMORIAL AWARD: Kate Robinson, Grade 9, “Flower Girl” Painting Brian Racalbuto, Grade 12, “Kid Culture” Painting.

CERAMICS/SCULPTURE: Special Award: Francie Pavon, Grade 12 “Winged Figure” Mixed Media Sculpture.

DRAWING: 1st Place: Kaiden Pemberton, Grade 11, “Liftoff ” Ink & Colored Pencil 2nd Place: Aidan Purcell, Grade 11, “Peace in the Land of Giants” Charcoal, 3rd Place: Grace Pei, Grade 9, “A Portrait of a Young African Lady” Charcoal

PAINTING: 1st Place: Emily Crain, Grade 12, “Muerte Vida” Ink Wash 2nd Place: Charissa Shang, Grade 10, “Untitled” Watercolor 3rd Place: Julia N Kulyk, Grade 12, “Bird of Happiness” Painting

PHOTOGRAPHY: 1st Place: Tyler Peterson, Grade 12, “Drip” Digital Photography 2nd Place: Vivek Kanchi, Grade 12, “Got Milk?” Photography 3rd Place: Leon Burg, Grade 12, “Pursuit of Happiness” Photography Honorable Mention: Alex Hahn, Grade 11, “Untitled” Digital Photography Honorable Mention: Ryan Paige, Grade 12, “Together” Digital Photography.

WINNERS FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL INCLUDE: 1st Place: Hadley Brady, Grade 8, “Lady in Black” Charcoal 2nd Place: Catherine Xie, Grade 8, “Koi Fish” Oil Honorable Mention: Sierra Bernhardt, Grade 6, “Friendships” Watercolor Honorable Mention: Eileen Zhang, Grade 8, “On Wings of Autumn” Watercolor

The Arts Council for the Conejo Valley (ACCV) was established in 1969. During its over four decade span, the ACCV has gone through extensive changes in its programs and services. Established as a regional Federation of Arts organization that was formed to promote the community’s cultural development, the ACCV has evolved into a membership support agency that also delivers and co-sponsors many cultural programs. Member services include marketing, technical assistance workshops, and lowered rent at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. The ACCV has a history of successful partnership in the community. It has joined forces and worked toward a common with three major partners – the City of Thousand Oaks, the Conejo Recreation and Park District, and the Conejo Valley Unified School District. The ACCV, in collaboration with Art Trek, created the Conejo Cottontail Project to promote public art throughout the community.

The Hillcrest Galleria is open during business hours and some evenings and weekends and is free to the public at 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

Katie Kersnick, Grade 10, “La Mariposa de Immigrante” Digital Photography (Photo by Paul Cranmer)

Nominations for Thousand Oaks Excellence in Arts Award Due July 28, 2017

The Excellence in the Arts Awards are designed to honor and celebrate persons and organizations that contribute to the vibrancy of the arts and culture and increase access to arts experiences in Thousand Oaks.

2017 Award Categories
The arts are defined as visual and performing arts, including but not limited to music, dance, theater, painting, sculpture, photography and traditional/folk art.  For these specific awards, the arts do not include literary arts. All winners may be asked to participate in city events, either by serving as an Arts Ambassador or through performance or exhibition opportunities. Philanthropy, while important, is not considered to be a factor in the criteria for any award.

1. Community Impact
   The Community Impact Award is presented to a person or organization who has inspired and encouraged the arts and culture in Thousand Oaks in a creative or innovative way. The winner will be notable in the community memory for years to come because of an emphasis on some or all of the following: a) bringing together organizations or people in the arts, b) elevating the arts and culture through visionary leadership, creativity, advocacy and volunteerism, and c) inspiring and encouraging artists and arts groups in the areas of innovation, outreach, inclusiveness and access.
2. Emerging Arts Leadership
   The Emerging Arts Leadership Award is presented to a person or organization demonstrating the potential to influence and elevate the arts and culture through outstanding vision, leadership and creativity.  Age is not a factor in this award.
3. Exceptional Arts Education
   The Exceptional Arts Education Award is presented to an individual or organization for excellent work in and significant contributions to arts education, either a) through enhancing the education curriculum within the school system, or b) through creating educational opportunities in the arts outside the school setting. 
4. Artist of the Year
   The Artist of the Year Award recognizes a dedicated individual’s excellence and accomplishments in an arts discipline.  This award is for unique vision, high artistic quality, creativity and innovation.
5. The Mayor’s Award
   The Mayor’s Award is granted each year to a recipient chosen by the Mayor of Thousand Oaks. There are not parameters or restrictions for this award, which is up to the sole discretion of the current mayor.

The award determination is based on the award criteria listed below and the category definitions detailed on the award nomination form. Nomination deadline is Friday, July 28th (extended - originally was the 20th) at 4pm. Learn more at www.toaks.org/departments/cultural-affairs/arts-awards.

Military Sculpture Reproductions on Display at Rolland Gallery at CLU August 26 to October 29

Military sculpture reductions on display

Cal Lutheran exhibit features copies of famed statues

20th-century reduction of "Equestrian Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni,” which was by Andrea del Verrocchio. The bronze reduction is 19 x 16 x 8 inches. Courtesy of Richard Gardner Antiques, Chichester, England.

An exhibit of small reproductions of giant military sculptures will open Aug. 26 in the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art at California Lutheran University.

“Historical Military Reductions” runs through Oct. 29 on the Thousand Oaks campus.

Battles and war heroes have been celebrated in monumental sculpture for millennia. Warriors are featured on horses during combat, in contemplation before entering a campaign, or in the moments before death. Over many generations, skilled artists have created reductions, sometimes of works that have since been lost.

The exhibition features four 20th-century bronze reductions of acclaimed military sculptures dating from antiquity. “The Dying Gaul,” depicting the defeat of the Galatians, was probably commissioned in bronze in the third century B.C., but only a marble copy remains in Rome. The reduction of “Alexander the Great on Bucephalos” was based on a first-century Roman copy of a sculpture of the Macedonian king and his beloved horse that probably dated to the fourth century B.C. The original “Equestrian Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni,” made after the military commander’s death by Andrea del Verrocchio, dates to the late 1400s and stands in Venice, Italy. The marble original of Vincenzo Vela’s “The Last Days of Napoleon I” from 1871 was displayed at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867, where it won a prize and garnered the artist fame.

The pieces are from the William Rolland Collection.

Admission is free. The gallery, located in William Rolland Stadium, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact curator Rachel T. Schmid at 805-493-3697 or rollandgallery@callutheran.edu or visit CalLutheran.edu/rolland.

Oil Painting Exhibit at Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center in Calabasas 5/1-6/8

Summer Days are Here Again (Marnie Smart Piuze) 12x24

Flowing out of over three decades of exploring and enjoying the coastal shores, bluffs, and mountains, Marnie Smart Piuze’s plein air oil paintings are a grateful expression of the peace and wonder they impart.

“I feel like I’m having a vacation every time I’m painting,” says Piuze, who has lived in Malibu since 1971, always taking advantage of the trails and scenery. “I love nature. That’s why I’ve always hiked and raised my kids to value natural resources.”

Piuze has been painting for 15 years and is a member of the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore. Her work will be on display May 1 through June 8 at the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center. An opening reception will be held there on Sunday, May 1 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The visitor center is located at King Gillette Ranch, 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. For more information, call 805-370-2301

Painting with a Twist Opening Soon in Old Town Camarillo

Update 10/10/15: Painting with a Twist grand opening set for Thursday, October 15th.

Posted 7/28/15: Painting with a Twist looks to be opening soon at 2298 E. Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo (at the intersection of Arneill), next to the El Rey Cantina.

Painting with a Twist provides customers with paint, a canvas and brushes that lead to a fun evening with friends and a finished piece of art.  And yes, you receive professional instruction to create your work of art as well as access to wine.

For updates, visit paintingwithatwist.com/camarillo.

Color Mi Vino: Paint, Wine, Fun Opening Later This Summer in Simi Valley

Color Mi Vino: Paint, Wine, Fun is joining the latest big trend...painting with a glass of wine. They are looking to open in the coming months, with a target date in September, at 2955 B-2 Cochran St, Simi Valley (Sycamore Square Shopping Center).

Under the guidance of a trained artist, enjoy painting your masterpiece with a glass of wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverage. All supplies will be provided and no experience is required. You will be guided every step of the way.

For updates, visit colormivino.com.

Pinot's Palette is Opening in Westlake Village on Thursday, May 7th

Sorry to report that Pinot's Palette closed its doors in last August 2017.

Update 4/18/15: Pinot's Palette plans to open to the public with its first class on Thursday, May 7th. Visit www.pinotspalette.com/westlakevillage to sign up!

Originally posted 1/31/15:

Pinot's Palette is coming soon to Westlake Village at 2879 Agoura Road (at Village Glen). Pinot's Palette is an upscale studio where adults can "Paint. Drink. Have Fun." Enjoy a night out with your friends, enjoy a glass of wine or beer, and be an artist for the night. No art experience is required. Sip away and in two to three hours create a work of art.

Specific opening date will be announced at a later date. Check www.pinotspalette.com/WestlakeVillage or www.facebook.com/PinotsPaletteWestlakeVillage for updates.

"Looking West" Art Exhibit in Downtown Ventura October 7 to November 1

California Gold, oil on canvas by Ron Zolkover

Oxnard painter roams for vistas

The Buenaventura Art Association will present Looking West, an exhibition of recent oil-on-canvas paintings by Oxnard artist Ron Zolkover, from Oct. 7-Nov. 1 in the Clophine Dooley Gallery at the nonprofit group’s downtown Ventura location.

The solo show will include about two-dozen views of area landscapes and Santa Barbara Channel locales, said Zolkover, who will attend the opening reception 5-7 p.m. Oct. 11.

“I enjoy spending time in nature. Many of my works were done plein-air,” he said. “I love the spontaneity of painting in natural light … and the challenges of capturing the mood of the moment. You have to work fast and get the shadows down quickly.

“I try to paint daily,” said Zolkover, who has been pursuing his passion for 14 years. “It has been a long learning process that never gets old. There are plateaus and times when I feel like I am not evolving, but then there are times when I will make a quantum leap to another level … it is the process I enjoy.”

Some examples of his plein-air landscapes and seascapes can be found at californiapleinair.ning.com/profile/RonZolkover. The paintings in this show will range in size from 9 by 12 inches to 2 by 3 feet.

Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St., is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more about BAA, an artists cooperative celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org or phone 805.648.1235 during gallery hours.