Arts Listings: Week of 2/15/2024


Some classes, exhibits and events are available exclusively online. All events are subject to change and cancellation; always verify with venue and/or organizer.

OPENING THEATER

ALICE IN WONDERLAND | Feb. 16-18. The Lewis Carroll classic about one young girl’s trip down a rabbit hole and into a fantastical world is here adapted for young actors and reimagined with an unexpected twist. Part of the Literature in Action Junior program offered by Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi. Suitable for all ages. $15. ARTSpace Black Box Theater, 2956 School St., Simi Valley, [email protected], www.actorsrepofsimi.org.

EISENHOWER: THIS PIECE OF GROUND | Feb. 21-March 10. A year after Ike leaves the White House, the former U.S. President reflects on his life and legacy. Previews Feb. 21-23. Opening night on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. $30-150. The Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura, 805-667-2900, www.rubicontheatre.org.

NORTH: THE MUSICAL | Thursday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Based on actual accounts of slave escapes, this dramatic, suspenseful and yet optimistic tale follows a teenager and his mother as they travel away from the Deep South and head north along the Underground Railroad. A not-to-be-missed theatrical event! $10. Fred Kavli Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805-449-2787, bapacthousandoaks.com.

OPENING ART

BEATRICE WOOD CENTER FOR THE ARTS | Sunday, Feb. 18, 2-4 p.m.: “Ojai Studio Artists Salon,” an event featuring OSA artists and hosted and moderated by Kevin Wallace. Through March 2: “Ojai Studio Artists Salon,” featuring works by members of the Ojai Studio Artists group. 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Ojai, 805-646-3381, www.beatricewood.com.

JOHN SPOOR BROOME LIBRARY GALLERY | Feb. 19-March 15. “Lowriding in Ventura County,” a photography exhibit celebrating local lowrider culture. California State University Channel Islands, 1 University Drive, Camarillo,

art.csuci.edu/exhibitions/about-the-galleries.htm.

OJAI VALLEY MUSEUM | Friday, Feb. 16, 5-7 p.m.: Third Friday event with music, art demonstrations and more. Ongoing: Small exhibitions on a range of topics related to the history of the Ojai Valley, as well as virtual talks and more. Now open Friday-Sunday. 130 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai, 805-640-1390, www.ojaivalleymuseum.org.

AUDITIONS/CALLS TO ARTISTS

BONITA C. MCFARLAND SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE VISUAL ARTS | Through April 7. The Museum of Ventura County is proud to announce that applications for the Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship for the Visual Arts are now open. This significant scholarship program aims to increase opportunities for emerging artists and amplify their impact on our community. There are $10,000 to award. The scholarship is open to all high school seniors and college undergraduates residing in Ventura County who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment to the visual arts. Applications are due by April 7, 11:59 p.m. PST. For further details and to apply, visit venturamuseum.org/2024-museum-of-ventura-county-bonita-c-mcfarland-arts-education-scholarships/.

CULTURAL FUNDING GRANT PROGRAM | Through Feb. 27. The Cultural Funding Grant Program, developed in 1993, is available to Ventura-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations with 501(c)(3) status or that have a Ventura County fiscal agent with 501(c)(3) status. $90,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis, with grants supporting projects, initiatives, and general operating expenses ranging in size from $1,000 to $20,000 in a one-year cycle during the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Applications are due by 5 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024. For more information including grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and applications, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Grants.

DAB ART | Ongoing. The contemporary art organization is currently seeking submissions of work in any media for group and solo exhibitions at H Gallery and Studios in Ventura. Submit three to 20 images; $35 entry fee. For submission guidelines, online application and more information, visit www.dabart.me/ventura-2.

PLAYZAPALOOZA! | Through Feb. 16. Submissions are now open for Santa Paula Theater Center’s 2024 showcase of original one-act plays. Submissions are limited to local playwrights in the greater Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County areas. There are no limitations regarding content or theme, and we will accept up to two plays per playwright. Plays should ideally be 10 minutes in length but no more than 15 minutes maximum. All submissions should include a synopsis of the play on the page following the title page. Performances May 24-June 9. Submissions should be sent via email in Word or PDF format to [email protected]. For more information, contact Lisa Mirabelli at [email protected].

ONGOING THEATER

FINDING NEMO JR. | Through Feb. 18. Two fish team up for a whirlwind adventure across the ocean in search of the missing young clown fish, Nemo. Presented by Young Artists Ensemble and Conejo Theatre for Everyone. $12-19. Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, 805-381-2747, hillcrestarts.com.

METEOR SHOWER | Through Feb. 18. Reality and the absurd collide in this laugh-out-loud play by Steve Martin about a couple that invites friends to their Ojai home for a moonlight dinner party. Presented by Ojai ACT. $25. Ojai Art Center Theater, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai, 805-640-8797, ojaiact.org.

RIPCORD | Through March 3. When two residents of a senior community feud over one of the best rooms in the facility, long-hidden truths are revealed. Simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful, and a riff on TV sitcoms. $22-24. Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 S. Seventh St., Santa Paula, 805-525-4645, www.santapaulatheatercenter.org.

THE TRIAL OF MOTHER JONES | Through Feb. 18. “Pray for the dead… and fight like hell for the living!” The audience assumes the role of workers called to organize in this production centered on the 77-year-old labor organizer during the 1914 Colorado Coalfield War. $5-24. Main Stage, The Elite Theatre Company, 2731 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard, www.theelite.org.

THE WIZARD OF OZ | Through March 3. Travel down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City of Oz in the delightful stage adaptation of the L. Frank Baum classic, featuring the unforgettable film score. $25-28. High Street Arts Center, 45 E. High St., Moorpark, 805-529-8700, highstreetartscenter.com.

ONGOING ART

643 PROJECT SPACE | Through Feb. 24. Paintings by Dahlia Riley and sculptures by Lance Riley. 643 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, www.643projectspace.com.

AGRICULTURE MUSEUM | Through Oct. 6, 2024. “Ventura County, The Place We Call Home,” celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Ventura County. “Pollination Investigation,” a set of 14 posters (in English and Spanish) detailing the many animals that serve as pollinators and their role in the natural world. Created and presented by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the Smithsonian Gardens. Ongoing: “Farm to Market,” an interactive exhibit promoting healthy lifestyles through role play; plus antique tractors, farming implements, a living beehive and more. Hours: Thursdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula, 805-525-3100, venturamuseum.org/visit-agriculture-museum/.

BUENAVENTURA ART ASSOCIATION GALLERY | Through Feb. 24. “Animals: Wild and Domestic, Real or Imagined.” Studio 99, Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, 805-648-1235, BuenaventuraArtAssociation.org.

CAMARILLO ART CENTER | Through Feb. 25. “Dreaming Out Loud.” Pastel classes with Pamela Salem third Wednesday of each month. Open Thursdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. for artists to work on their projects; $5 for non-members; free for members. 3150 Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo, www.CamarilloArtCenter.org.

CANVAS AND PAPER | Through Feb. 25. Works on paper by Jan de Bisschop, Paul Cezanne, John Constable, Eugene Delacroix, Jean-Francois Millet, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Theodore Rousseau, Joseph Mallord and William Turner. 311 N. Montgomery St., Ojai, canvasandpaper.org.

CHANNEL ISLANDS MARITIME MUSEUM | Through March 22: “Cynthia James: Primordial Waters,” fantastic flora and fauna that live at the intersection of history, science and imagination. Ongoing: Maritime art covering Asian, European and American seafaring history; the Marple Model Ship Collection; exhibits on whales, sailors and the Port of Hueneme and more. 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, 805-984-6260, cimmvc.org.

DAMA GALLERY | Through April 30. “Gocong,” works by the artist and former NFL linebacker Christopher Gocong that include both sports-related art and contemporary masterpieces. 1793 E. Main St., Ventura, damagallery.com.

DUDLEY HOUSE HISTORIC MUSEUM | Ongoing. The National Historic Landmark was built in 1892 by Selwyn Shaw for lima bean farmer B.W. Dudley, and is one of the last pioneer farmhouses in Ventura. On display are artifacts and other elements showcasing aspects of life from 1895 to 1925. Open for tours the first Sunday of the month. COVID protocols will be strictly followed. 197 N. Ashwood Ave., Ventura, 805-642-3345, dudleyhouse.org.

FOX FINE JEWELRY | Through April 6. “Synergy,” mixed media work by Nancy Horwick and fiber art by Robin Ossentjuk. 560 E. Main St., Ventura, 805-652-1800, www.foxfinejewelry.com.

H GALLERY | Tuesdays. The Buenaventura Art Association has added a fourth location at H Gallery in Midtown Ventura, where BAA will host weekly Life Drawing Sessions every Tuesday. Each session is $20 and pre-registration is required. 1793 E. Main St., Ventura. More information on days, times, costs, etc., at baa.wildapricot.org/events.

HARBOR VILLAGE GALLERY AND GIFTS | Ongoing. Art and artisan crafts created by resident BAA members. 1559 Spinnaker Drive #106, Ventura Harbor Village, 805-644-2750, www.facebook.com/HarborVillageGalleryGifts.

MURPHY AUTO MUSEUM | Ongoing. Impressive display of vintage automobiles and Americana, as well as the Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club and the car-centric art in the Fireball Art Gallery. “Muscles and Mojo” car show in the parking lot every first and third Sunday of the month. The museum is now open Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1930 Eastman Ave., Oxnard, 805-487-4333, www.murphyautomuseum.org.

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY | Currently: “Winter,” a new exhibition of the George Stuart Historical Figures® featuring diverse winter symbolism, customs, and celebrations that connect people to nature and each other; “Spin Cycle: Unfolding the Science of Laundry,” featuring laundry items from the museum’s historical collection dating from the 19th and early 20th century; “The Murder of Tom More: A True Crime Story,” a deep-dive into an 1877 incident involving land ownership, water rights, perjury, bribes and more; and “Proximity to Water.” Ongoing: MVC Gallery Marketplace, exhibits devoted to the Chumash, the history of Ventura County, George Stuart Historical Figures® Collection, online exhibits and resources and more. 100 E. Main St., Ventura, 805-653-0323 or venturamuseum.org.

OLIVAS ADOBE HISTORIC PARK | Ongoing. The Olivas Adobe is open every Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy the beauty and history of the Adobe with an in-depth tour by a Docent or do a self -guided tour. View the World’s Oldest Fuchsia – over 100 years old! 4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura, www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OlivasAdobe.

POPPIES ART AND GIFTS | Ongoing. Gifts, jewelry, decor and more made by local artists. 323 E. Matilija St., Ojai, 805-798-0033, www.poppiesartandgifts.com.

RANCHO CAMULOS MUSEUM | Ongoing. The 40-acre landmark and museum is one of the best surviving examples of an early California rancho and honors the area’s Spanish and Mexican heritage. “Last Sundays at the Landmark” take place the last Sunday of every month, and include docent-led tours, music and more. Open every Sunday for docent-led tours; group and special-focus tours by appointment. Situated off of Highway 126, two miles east of Piru. 805-521-1501, www.ranchocamulos.org.

realART | Ongoing. The art gallery in Whizin Market Square features works by a variety of contemporary artists. Whizin Market Square, 28861 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, 310-452-4000, buyrealart.com.

RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM | Ongoing. Permanent exhibits include Air Force One, an F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, an M-1 Abrams tank and more. 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, 800-410-8354, www.reaganfoundation.org.

SANTA PAULA ART MUSEUM | Through May 5: “30 Under 30,” radically diverse work from California artists, all under the age of 30. Through March 3: “15th Annual Art About Agriculture.” Free family days on the first Sunday of the month. 117 N. 10th St., Santa Paula, 805-525-5554, www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.

SPICETOPIA | Through March 7. Our friends at SpiceTopia provide a feast for the senses with the smells and tastes of their own hand-mixed spices, condiments and teas, while Buenaventura Art Association artists provide a feast for the eyes! 576 E. Main St., Ventura, BuenaventuraArtAssociation.org.

STUDIO CHANNEL ISLANDS | Through Feb. 23. “Emergence 2024,” the annual exhibit of juried work by emerging artists – all juniors, seniors and recent graduates of local colleges and universities. Three winners will receive cash awards through the Gerd Koch Award for Excellence. 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, 805-383-1368, studiochannelislands.org.

THOUSAND OAKS COMMUNITY GALLERY | Through Feb. 27. The Valley Watercolor Society’s 2024 Annual Juried Exhibition. 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park, valleywatercolorsociety.org/exhibit/.

UBS | Through April 29. “Potpourri,” a variety of works by local artists Kimberly Ney Bennett (Malibu), Bonnie Butler (Oxnard), Wendy Gordin (Camarillo), Sheri Jones (Simi Valley), Carol Roullard (Moorpark) and Roland Roy (Newbury Park). 3011 Townsgate Road, Third Floor, Westlake Village. More info at conejoarts.org.

VENTURA POTTERY GALLERY | Ongoing. Talented ceramic artists from across Ventura County make up the Ventura County Potters Guild, and they display their works — housewares, home decor, figurines and more — at the guild’s gallery and shop in Ventura Harbor. 1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105, Ventura, 805-644-6800, venturapottersguild.org/gallery.

#placement_703083_0_i{width:100%;margin:0 auto;}


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *