Call to Artists - Taboo Topics - June 14 - July 20

Taboo Topics
An Open Juried Show

Drop-off dates for Artwork:
Monday, June 9, 4-7 pm
Tuesday, June 10, 9-noon.

As social mores become more restrictive, expression becomes less free. In our increasingly polarized society, deep divisions allow for less freedom of expression. We, as Americans, are divided more and more by politics (liberals vs. conservatives), social values (traditionalists vs. modernists), religion (fundamentalists vs. everyone else), race, ethnicity, gender, and age.

“Taboo Topics” invites participants to use their artistic talents to explore and express the forbidden. This is an open show designed to provide a safe space for artists to use their creative talents to express ideas on society’s Taboo Topics.

Click here for Entry Form and Release Form

Gala Reception: Saturday, June 14th 6 to 9 pm
Jurors: Amy Jones & Dina Pielaet
Curators: elle je freeheart, Sonya Burke & Jeanne LaRocco

For more information contact elle-je' freeheart at ljfreeheart@yahoo.com

Lucky & Ventura Artists' Fellowship Showcase - May 3-June 8

City of Ventura Artists’ Fellowship Showcase
Main Gallery

An exhibit to honor all 2007/08 grant recipients which includes Brad Barron, Alison Casson, Zivana Gojanovic, Donna Granata, Hilda Kilpatrick, Jeanne LaRocco, Paul Lindhard, Amy Maloney, Teal Rowe, Stephen Schafer, Ralph Silerio & Larissa Strauss. Congratulation from your sponsors, the San Buenaventura Artists’ Union Gallery.

Lucky
Upstairs Gallery

This is an open theme exhibit created especially for our members. This is always a very eclectic exhibit and a special feature of this competition will be the lucky juried group chosen to compete for awards and prize money.

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 17th, 6pm to 9pm, Awards at 7pm
Curator: Paul Lindhard
Juror: Michael Kelly

Poetry Benefit for Turning Point Foundation-- Saturday April 12th

Group poetry reading to benefit Turning Point Foundation Saturday 4/12 7pm
$10.00 Donation

Poets included: Doris Vernon, Mifanwy Kaiser and friends, Enid Osborn, Gauvin, John Gentry, Mary Kay Rummel, Grant Marcus, Shelley Savren, Elijah Imlay, Bill Mohr, Diane Blackburn, Jackson Wheeler, Neal Andrews

Hosted by: Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart

The reading is a part of :
From the Margins Exhibit
Curated by Phil and Marsha
March 22 to April 27

The show explores all forms of marginalization whether in self, family or society. The creative impulse has often been used in the face of madness, despair and chaos, to make sense of it, to make sense through art. Creativity is idealized while mental illness is demonized, yet the same energy can fuel either. This show is an exploration of extreme states of being in the world

Rick Sings
Poems, video and photos by Phil Taggart
Upstairs Gallery
March 22 – April 27

About twenty-five years ago my mentally ill brother showed up on my doorstep and has lived within a few blocks of me in Ventura’s Avenue neighborhood ever since.
As a writer I wrote about him, first unconsciously then consciously. Some years back, I started pulling all the work together into something I called “The Rick Poems”. In the last few years I started photographing him also. I then started melding the two visions together. I also photographed homeless folks as they are a part of Rick’s everyday world and subsequently part of mine.
This exhibit is an attempt to humanize a marginalized man and all marginalized humans. Turning Point Foundation was established in 1988 and is governed by a board of directors drawn from the Ventura County community. Serving more than 500 clients each year through its shelter, supported housing and rehabilitation programs, Turning Point is the only non-profit agency in Ventura county that addresses the critical community support needs of mentally ill adults.


Turning Point Foundation
www.turningpointfoundation.org
River Haven is home to a group of previously homeless county residents. They have created a self-sustaining tent community where their basic needs can be met in a stable, sanitary environment free of violence, drugs and alcohol until they are able to access housing. As the official sponsor of this group, Turning Point provides administrative and supportive services to ensure the ongoing success of this unique project. River haven is run by Turning Point.
Turning Point Foundation was established in 1988 and is governed by a board of directors drawn from the Ventura County community. Serving more than 500 clients each year through its shelter, supported housing and rehabilitation programs, Turning Point is the only non-profit agency in Ventura county that addresses the critical community support needs of mentally ill adults.

Ventura County Star on the "Rick Sings" Exhibit

The Art of Rick

Link to Story in the VC Star The Art of Rick

Alicia Doyle of the Ventura County Star writes a poignant article about Rick and Phil Taggart and the Rick Sings Exhibit.

"Rick Sings" is an exhibit in the Upstairs Gallery at the Artists Union The collection of poems, photographs, and video by Phil Taggart reflect the life of his brother, who is schizophrenic and has been homeless.

In the Downstairs Gallery, "From the Margins" examines marginalization and extreme states of being in which artists within the community responded to the theme in a variety of forms.

From the Margins and Rick Sings Exhibits will be open until April 27th.

On April 10th, Phil Taggart and Marsha de la O will host a panel discussion on homelessness and a Poetry Fundraiser for Turning Point on April 12th.

This is a powerful exhibit not to be missed!

Art City on CNN

Phil Taggart as news man extraordinaire with a video news story on Art City.
Art City in the News

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the background of Art City's building code problems (there may be a few), here is a link to an earlier piece from the Ventura County Star on October 1, 2007.
Art Loving City in a Tight Spot

Call to Artists "From the Margins"

Call to Artists
"From the Margins” an Open/Juried show
March 22 to April 27
Curators: Marsha de la O & Phil Taggart

The show explores all forms of marginalization whether in self, family or society. The creative impulse has often been used in the face of madness, despair and chaos, to make sense of it, to make sense through art. Creativity is idealized while mental illness is demonized, yet the same energy can fuel either. This show is an exploration of extreme states of being in the world.

Art drop off dates at the gallery
Monday March 17 4 to 7pm
Tuesday March 18 9am to noon
at the Artists’ Union Gallery 330 California Street - Ventura

Fandango Americana - Art City Fundraiser

The Fandango Americana is an event of shared music and performance that brings a community together.

WHEN: March 8, 2008, 3 to 11pm
WHERE: Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave, Ventura
MUSIC: Phil Salazar & the Harlem Holler with Hans Ottsen will headline with Left of Memphis, Dan Wilson, The Nish Initiative, Varon Thomas, Rude Calderon, Found Keys, Sus Corez, The Restless Hillfillies, Blue Moon, and Emy Reynolds. There will be music all afternoon and evening on two alternating stages.

FOOD & DRINK: Delicious catered food as well as beer, wine, margaritas and non-alcoholic drinks will be available at reasonable prices.
TICKETS: $10-$20 at the door, on a sliding scale. For information on advance ticket sales call 805-641-3845.

To find out more about Art City please read our ART CITY BLOG for current information on Saving Art City and visit our website Art City
*** *** ***
All profits from "Fandango Americana" will help re-construct the Westside Ventura icon, Art City. This innovative collective of artists has been part of the community since 1985.
Art City has recently undergone great struggle, having to tear down most of its existing building structures in order to comply with code enforcement in the City of Ventura.
Many people, businesses and cultural organizations of the region, including the City, are supportive of Art City Inventura in its efforts to initially raise $25,000 in the next 90 days. The funds from this kickoff benefit will be used to abate remaining code issues and to begin rebuilding for the next phase of invention.
While more funds will be needed to grow Art City to its fullest potential in the next several years, many fellow artists, patrons and supporters look forward to your help in making this one of Ventura's most memorable musical and cultural events.

For more information, photos, interviews, feature material
PRESS CONTACTS:
Sophia Kidd
impotech@gmail.com

Gwendolyn Alley
gwendolynalley@yahoo.com

Lorenzo DeStefano
Lorenzo@lorenzodestefano.com

Sixth Annual Erotic Exhibit:The Human Form Divine

Sixth Annual Erotic Exhibit:The Human Form Divine
February 9th - March 16th
Jurors: Nora Yukon & Jim Melnik
Curators are Paul Lindhard & Phil Taggert.

Opening Reception Saturday, February 9th 6 to 9 pm

“You asked what I thought about before we were lovers. The answer is easy. Before I met you I didn’t have anything to think about”
- Kenneth Rexroth

One of our most popular contemporary exhibits. A look at the sensual and erotic, distilled through the muse and onto the many enticing visual palates of the arts community.

First Friday's Ventura -- Gallery Walk

JOIN US for a free self-guided tour of local art galleries, art studios, museums and alternative art venues on the First Friday of every month from 5 - 8 pm.

Participating Galleries and Venues

OUR MISSION is to show why Ventura is California's NEWEST ART CITY! Spend your day relaxing by the beach and your evenings purusing the arts in Ventura.

Ventura’s Art City Needs a Miracle

Please join as a community in taking a stand for the preservation of Ventura’s Art City. Art City is at a critical stage and there are immediate funding needs for re-building and restoration of the studio facilities.

The San Buenaventura Artists’ Union has arranged to accept tax deductible donations for Art City while it continues its application for nonprofit status for Art City Inventura. Donations can be made by check, cash or money order. Please make checks or money orders to San Buenaventura Artists Union.

Please deliver or mail donations to:
San Buenaventura Artists Union
c/o Dona Wieckowski
1684 Poli Street
Ventura, CA 93001

Each donation will be forwarded to Art City and an acknowledgement letter will be issued by the San Buenaventura Artists’ Union for tax purposes.

For more information please call:
Dona Wieckowski - 805 648.7544
Paul Lindhard – 805 653.6380
Russel Erickson - 805 648.1690

Please also visit and interact on the ART CITY BLOG at http://artcityventura.wordpress.com/ for current and evolving fundraising and activities information.