Artist Calls--Upcoming Open/Juried Shows

Artist Calls--Upcoming Open/Juried Shows through July 2010

Earth Show - Open/Juried Exhibit
Jurors: The Green Art People
March 27-May 2, 2010
Art drop-off days: 3/22 and 3/23
This show challenges artists to re-imagine our relationship to nature, whether macro or micro, social or political, within ...or without. The Earth Show is a multi-media look at human nature and the wild.
Link to Entry Form

Gimme Shelter - Open/Juried Show
Curator: Phil Taggart
May 8-June 13, 2010
Art drop-off days: 5/3 and 5/4
This multi-media show explores the notion of home and its opposite—homelessness, through the lens of our ever-growing homeless population, particularly in the light of Ventura County’s 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness.

In Your Face:an Exhibit of Self-Portraits - Open/Juried Show
Curators: Jeanne LaRocco & elle-je' freeheart
June 19-August 1, 2010
Art drop-off days: 6/14 and 6/15
Self portraits are a way for artists to examine their personal lives and inner psyches. Our personal lives and inner conversations are fertile ground for developing ideas and imagery of universal concern.
Self portraits in any genre, medium, or style are invited. We want to encourage artists to push boundaries and have fun with this topic. This exhibit coincides with birthdays of two famous self-portrait artists: Frida Kahlo (July 6) and Rembrandt van Rijn (July 15).

“Wet” Erotic Poetry Reading

WET!’ Erotic Poetry Reading Saturday, March 6th at 7pm

Always a full house, this popular companion event raises funds to benefit the Artists Union Gallery.
Well worth the admission: $10 -$20
Hosted by Friday and Marsha de la O •

Desire urges us on deeper
and farther into the coral maze
of the body, dense, tropical
where we cannot tell plant
from animal, mind from body,
prey from predator, swaying
magenta, teal, green-golden
anemones wide open…- from “Wet” by Marge Piercy


Readers:
Holaday Mason, Tree Bernstein, Carol Davis, Virginia Mariposa, Cathryn Andresen, Maggie Westland, Joyce LaMers, TL Cabrera, Chryss Yost, Gabriel LeMay, Patti Sullivan, Doris Vernon, Trish Falin, Ron Alexander, Polly Bee, Kevin Patrick Sullivan, Paul Guthrie,Lois Klein, Elijah Imlay, Shelley Savren, Carol DeCanio, John White, Mariano Zaro, Stephany Prominides, Roe Estep, Patricia Belkowitz, Tim Tipton, John Gentry, Ellen, Florence Weinberger, Jackson Wheeler, Elena Karina Byrne, Morgan Alexander, Kevin Carman

Wet Eighth Annual Sensual & Erotic Exhibit

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

February 13th, through March 21st, 2010
Opening Night Reception: Saturday, Feb. 13th, 6 to 8pm
Curators: Phil Taggart & MB Hanrahan
Jurors: Robert Catalusci and Paul Lindhard

Poetry Fundraiser: ‘WET!’ Saturday, March 6th at 7pm
Always a full house, this popular companion event raises funds to benefit the ARTISTS’ UNION GALLERY. Well worth the price of submission!
Hosted by Friday and Marsha de la O • Admission: $10 -$20
First Friday Gallery walk: Friday, March 5th, 6-9pm


Desire urges us on deeper
and farther into the coral maze
of the body, dense, tropical
where we cannot tell plant
from animal, mind from body,
prey from predator, swaying
magenta, teal, green-golden
anemones wide open…
- from “Wet” by Marge Piercy

2010 Annual Membership Meeting & Potluck - New Date

2010 Annual Membership Meeting & Potluck
January 28 6:00-8:00 PM

Join or Renew your membership for 2010.

Some of the many benefits of being a member includes the interaction with other local artists; showing your work in the Artists' Union Gallery; voting on how art is developed in the community.

Click here for the 2010 Membership Application

Full Throttle/Wide-Open Member's Exhibit

Full Throttle/Wide-Open Member's Exhibit
January 9th to February 7th
Opening Reception January 9th • 6 to 8 pm

This members’ exhibit always offers a wide range of contemporary work......
Our key emphasis this year is on the unique spark of creative energy each artist carries within. So fire up your engines and join us in a high octane celebration of our eclectic collective!

Poetry every Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm......Open mic hosted by Roe Estep ~ 320-3524

Artists' Union Gallery Hours
Thursday & Sunday ~ noon to 6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday ~ noon to 8 p.m.
330 South California Street, Ventura 93001
phone: (805) 643-3012
www.venturaartistsunion.org

What's New: Interviews with New Artist Union Members of 2009.

What’s New:Interviews with New Artist Union Members of 2009
from Lynn LeTourneau, AU Membership Chair

Julie Andrada – recently completed the MFA program at Brooks Institute. She is a professional photographer who serves people finding partners. She enjoys travel photography as well. Julie showed her artwork in the Member’s Show. Julie gallery sits and hopes to participate more in showing her work in 2010.

Briana Bainbridge – works in several media. Her oil paintings are inspired by anatomy and religious iconography. Her photography incorporates dolls and dollhouses as a vehicle to express her views on gender roles. Brianna is also a furniture maker. You can find her online at www.brianabainbridge.com.

Llana Baldwin – has a degree in Fine Arts. She was attracted to join the Artists Union Gallery because it is non-profit and involves member participation. In 2009 she showed her artwork in the Member’s Show. Llana recently won a Blue ribbon at the LA County Fair for a drawing. She also won an award in 2008 at the Harbor Gallery for their Ornament Show.

Roe Estep – is a hair-dresser by trade and enjoys taking art classes at Ventura College. Roe enjoys working in clay. Using slab-work techniques, she has completed a birdbath series. She is also a poet attending and facilitating the Tuesday night poetry readings at the Artist Union. In 2010 Roe hopes to show her artwork in the Gallery.

Bobbi Jo Free – is a dollmaker and fiber artist working out of a studio in Bell Arts. She paints using acrylic and collage in the impressionistic style as well. In 2009, she was in the Black and White show. Bobbi Jo is a gallery sitter.

Susan Guy – is a plein air artist who works in oil and watercolor.
She is an Ojai Studio Artist and has been juried for two years at the Ojai Valley Museum “Made in Ojai” Show. Her work is in the permanent collection at the Ojai Land Conservancy and the Ventura County Medical Center. Susan is also part of the Studio Channel Islands and was in the Cal State Channel Islands Show. She extends her invitation to other plein air painters!

Debra Kelley – is a member of the Arts and Crafts wing of Artist Union and sits the gallery two times a month. She creates mobiles using fishing line, sea-shells, bamboo and driftwood.

Contact Lynn LeTourneau if you would like to be featured in our next set of brief interviews.

Artful Aging October 31 - November 29

The Art of Aging: Celebrating the Authentic Aging Self --video

Our Fall/Winter show is a multi-media show about aging and the art of aging. In the U.S., 10,000 people a day turn 60. This show addresses aging and all aspects of aging. From the physical, spiritual, the sensual to our relationships, the show looks at age through fear and joy in hopes to harvest the experience of aging.

Richard and Alice Matzkin will jury the show. They have recently published a book about their artistic journey confronting the fear and curiosity of growing old, The Art of Aging. You can visit their website at www.matzkinstudio.com

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 31st 6 to 9pm

Politics of Green - August 7 - September 13, 2009

Politics of Green - Call to Artists
Open Juried Show
All things green (politically, ecologically, financially, holistically…) have come to a head, a crossroads, a climax of differing viewpoints and interests. As artists and citizens, it is our decision to confront and question the issues that affect our lives and society, especially in an ever more globalized world culture. The politics of green challenges us to address any of these issues in any medium, including video, installation and performance.

Entry Form
Art Drop off:
Monday, August 3rd, 4 to 7pm and Tuesday, August 4th, 9am to 12 noon
If you are considering an installation please contact a.s.a.p.: Paul Lindhard or Rude Calderon at 805-653-6380 or email artcity@artcitystudios.com

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 8th 6 to 9 pm
Soft Opening: Saturday, September 12th 7 pm

Artists Union Gallery on Facebook

Join the Artists Union on Facebook. Become a Fan and you can post news and announcements, add photos, videos, have discussions, and more.

Ventura Artists Union & Gallery on Facebook.

Hope to see you there!

Open Letter to Members from AU Board of Directors

June 28, 2009
Dear Fellow Artists of the Artists’ Union,

One of our goals as a Board is to keep in touch with our members and volunteers. For the immediate future, the Board has divided up the duties of the directorship, and we’re each filling some part of the position on a volunteer basis. The calendar is up on the website,[and this blog] the rest of 2009 is filled in, our organization is working well.

In the positive energy category, the Board is considering the idea of scheduling a second event for each show besides the reception. Some possible examples are: an artists’ salon, an art talk, a small party/happening, music night, poetry night, films on the wall. Can you think of more? We’d love to energize our gallery with free or low-cost events. The best way to get through hard times is by having a good time!

Now is the time to express our immense gratitude to the chairpersons of the committees that keep our gallery doors open. Kudos to our Gallery Host Coordinators, Barbara Turner and Alyssa Barber who work long hours to do just that —keep the gallery staffed and open. Not only are they essential, they’re also terrific!

Patty Van Dyke and her team of reception hosts keep the party going. Each reception is more creative than the last. A huge thank-you to our party-meisters!

Ramon Byrne and his construction committee keep the gallery sanded, spackled, painted, and lit. They also do all the other behind-the-scenes work that we often don’t realize has taken place. They’re indispensable, and we’re ever grateful.

John Parker has agreed to be our Media Director. He gets the word out in a professional, polished way.

Laurie Pegg-Scott, Dona Wieckowski and the art drop-off team keep the exhibits running smoothly, every five weeks. They make it a warm, friendly experience for all of us.

The Gallery Committee headed by Phil Taggart meets regularly and comes up with timely contemporary exhibits that fulfill our mission statement. Don’t forget that anyone can make a proposal for a show on a particular theme or in a unique medium—the form is on the website. Do you have an idea for an exhibit you’d like to bring into being? Don’t delay, just do it!

Lynn LeTourneau, our Membership Coordinator, has plans in the works to schedule more regular membership meetings and potlucks to bring us together for good times and group planning. The Board is so grateful for her presence, and eagerly awaiting the unfolding of her plans.

And finally, we are grateful to each and every member for your unique gifts that you share with our artistic community and the larger community. We’d love to get your ideas and expertise for next steps. See you at the next reception.

Thank you,
The Board of Directors of the San Buenaventura Artists’ Union

P.S. Please take a look up at the new awning painted by artist elle-je freeheart! The artists in the next dimension immediately above us are having a raging good time! Inspiration? You bet!

"And So Far" Members Exhibit - June 20 - August 2

An artist’s journey has stopping points—pauses for reflection— ‘And So Far…’ looks at where we are, individually and collectively on our journey.

See a Video of this Exhibit

This exhibit of works by Artists Union Members runs through August 2nd

May 9th Exhibit Opening on Video

Click here to view the video: Raz Raz Raz 2 & Women Growing Wings

Raz Raz Raz 2 & Women Growing Wings is an exhibit that runs from May 9 through June 14 at The Artists Union Gallery in Ventura.

Raz Raz Raz 2 features works by the Raz family, Sylvia, Alan and Karyn

Women Growing Wings in the upstairs gallery was jurored by Patti Post and Jill Sattler and was curated by Laurie Pegg-Scott.

Exhibit Associated Upcoming Events:

Saturday May 23 at 7pm “Women with Wings” Poetry Reading
hosted by Marsha de la O
Featuring: Joyce Lombard, Polly Bee, Enid Osborn, Mary Scott, Christina Paiges, Ellen, Doris Vernon, Tree Bernstein, Roe Estep, Shelley Savren, Judy Oberlander, Luzma, Friday, Cathryn Andreson, Maggie Westland, Glenna Luschei, Nereyda de la O, Elnora McNaughton…


Saturday May 30th, Joan Peters, professor of literature at Channel Islands University and author of two women’s books: When Mothers Work and Not Your Mother’s Life. She will discuss her books and how women are affected by the issues in her books.


submitted by Phil Taggart

RAZ RAZ RAZ 2 ~ Mother of all Shows

RAZ RAZ RAZ 2

Mother of all Shows

Downstairs Gallery
Show Dates: May 9 to June 14
Opening Reception:Saturday, May 9th 6 to 9 pm

Exhibition ~ Women Growing Wings ~ Hope is the thing with feathers

Women Growing Wings ~ Open/Juried show May 9th – June 14th – AUG Upstairs Gallery

There's a river of birds in migration,
A nation of women with wings.

An exhibit of women artists coming together to tell their stories.
Jurors are Santa Barbara artists Patti Post and Jill Sattler
Curator:Laurie Pegg-Scott

Saturday May 23 at 7pm “Women with Wings” Poetry Reading hosted by Marsha de la O
Featuring: Joyce Lombard, Polly Bee, Enid Osborn, Mary Scott, Christina Paiges, Ellen, Doris Vernon, Tree Bernstein, Roe Estep, Shelley Savren, Judy Oberlander, Luzma, Friday, Cathryn Andreson, Maggie Westland, Glenna Luschei, Nereyda de la O, Elnora McNaughton…


Women Growing Wings Entry Form: For an entry form Click Here.

April 30 - Spring 2009 Membership Meeting

Spring 2009 Membership Meeting!

You and a guest are invited! THURSDAY, April 30th, 7-8PM
At AUG! (the Artists' Union Gallery)

Come and meet: Artist members! Non-Artist members! The Arts & Crafts members! The Board of Directors! (Did you know we even have a Board of Directors?) The various Committee Chairpeople! And the many folks that insure your gallery is well maintained and open to the public!

At the start of the meeting we will have a short Meet & Greet segment, then there will be a brief time dedicated to personally chatting with the Committee Chairpeople that are the leaders of the operations of this organization. We will finish off with a purely social ending that could possibly last longer than 8PM! Wouldn't that be fun?!

YOUR MEMBERSHIP and SERVICE insures the stability of this beach side gallery location and the organization as a whole.

Come this Thursday! Have a beverage and a nosh (i.e. a snack). Bond!
...because this IS your gallery and nonprofit arts organization!

I'll see you then!

Terry Bray
AUG - Director

MB Universe - CNN Headline News - Artist Interview

MB Universe , is a story about longtime AUG member and artist MB Hanrahan,
and aired on CNN Headline News.

You can view the segment by clicking here

Provided by
Phil Taggart
Producer, SoCal News on CNN Headline News
phil.taggart@twcable.com
www.twcsocalnews.com

The Vampire Who Makes Us Behave -- Erotic Poetry Reading

Annual Erotic Poetry Reading and Benefit
Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7:00 pm

The Vampire Who Makes Us Behave
…But the Vampire who makes us behave orders us to enjoy ourselves with what she leaves us, or in other words to be more amusing… - Arthur Rimbaud "Anguish"

Admission is $10 - $20 at the door.
Hosts: Friday and Marsha de la O
Benefit with all proceeds going to the Artists’ Union Gallery.

See Lusty ambitions Erotic art and poetry in Ventura by Michael Cicero in VC Reporter for more...

Poets reading include: Chryss Yost, Glenna Luschei, Perie Longo, Tim Tipton, Sarah Maclay, Holaday Mason, Roe Estep, Shelley Savren, Lois Klein, Fiona Spring, Elijah Imlay, Carol Davis, Ellen Reich, Florence Weinberger, Doris Vernon, Virginia Mariposa, Laura Diamond, Mary Kay Rummel, Polly Bee, Tree Bernstein, Paul Guthrie, Maggie Westland, Cathryn Andreson, Patricia Lynn Belkowitz, Marsha de la O, Friday, Phil Taggart, Tim Sheehan, Joyce LaMers, Virginia Mariposa, Kevin Patrick Sullivan, TL Cabrera

AUG's Seventh Annual Erotic Exhibit

Some Like It Hot
AUG's Annual Sensual and Erotic Exhibit is a perennial favorite and a striking example of Ventura’s talent runs February 13th through March 22nd, 2009

Gala Opening and Reception:
Friday, February 13th, 6-9 pm.

Juror: Wayne Healy
Curators: Phil Taggart & MB Hanrahan

Be sure to experience this show in the flesh!

The Vampire Who Makes Us Behave
Annual Erotic Poetry Reading & Fund Raiser to benefit Artists’ Union Gallery.
Saturday February 21st at 7p.m. $10-20 donation.

Credits:
photo: Linda F. Peterson Photography
graphics: John Parker

Poerty inspired by the Inauguration of Barack Obama

Colleen Cason from the Ventura County Star wrote an article about poetry and the inauguration. She interviewed Joyce LaMers and Phil Taggart. She included part of our Obama poems and an excerpt from a Ferlinghetti poem. She also invited folks to put their inauguration poems and comments in the comment blog spot.

Link to the Story: Cason Point: Inauguration gives reasons for rhymes

Video of Phil Taggart reading his poem

Provided by Phil Taggart

Open Letter from Terry Bray, Gallery Director

Hello to one and all!

The SBAU 2009 Membership drive has got off to a nice start. We have some new members that are full of enthusiam and willingness to dig in and support where needed. Additional, we have a good amount of renewing members that are waiting to be of service! The offering of the option to serve on a committee vs. just being a gallery sitter was appreciated by many people. We again have a well diversified group of new and renewing members and I believe in the near future we will achieve the membership participation needed to keep our receptions and shows at top quality performance.

I will be formulating the new 2009 'flow chart' that will reflect the 2009 committee members and their respective Chairperson. It is my intention to have a "Committee Gathering" in the near future, at the gallery, to give everyone the opportunity to get acquainted with one another and simultaneously enhance the understanding of how these committees are inter reliant to one another. I will contact these 'service' members soon regarding the date and time of this "gathering". But hey! if you are a member (or considering membership) and has not yet chosen a service commitment, come and join us at this 'gathering'! Let me know of your interest so I can include you in on the update(s).

I have met so many wonderful people and have learned that most of you have been active with SBAU for years. I know that everyone is used to going directly to Dona for your inquires and needs. As you now direct your energy towards me I will be as responsive and proactive as I possibly to satisfy your concerns. Dona will remain with SBAUG and continue to be your Treasurer. She will be a visible and important participant to the preservation of this organization. She has been a HUGE part of the formulation, evolution and thrust of your organization. I continue to be amazed at how much she has accomplished through her many dedicated years of 'service' to SBAU and I appreciate her future availability to me as an important resource. I know that Dona is looking forward to finally having the time (and energy) to pursue her artistic interests, especially in the area of photography. She has had in her possession some nice, new equipment that, up until recently, she has not had the chance to become familiar with. I am sure she is excited to now be able to release her creative juices and produce some wonderful art. Maybe a solo SBAUG show in the near future? SBAU is here for you Dona!

I encourage you to contact me with any suggestions and innovative ideas or just to say "HI! How ya do'n?". I embrace new ideas and different perspectives and treat them as a learning opportunity that possibly would assist in achieving more productivity or a more enjoyable experience to being a member. I prefer you to contact me via e-mail. Your e-mail should be through the SBAU website, info@venturaartistsunion.org.

As your Director I will do my best to be available and as responsive to you as time and experience allows. My intent is to keep you informed of the business of your gallery. Your membership, and service, are essential to the success and longevity of SBAU. This is a nonprofit, membership supported, arts organization that is truly unique to the arts community. Its up to the entire membership to keep the gallery doors open and the events successful.

Ask not what your gallery can do for you?...ask what can you do to support your gallery!

I look forward to serving you.

Thank you.

Terry Bray
Director
SBAUG