The goal of the new all-volunteer Westside Artwalk July 23-24 is to unite Ventura’s vibrant arts community in one weekend of coordinated events. The two-day celebration of the arts will provide entertainment for all ages, bring in cultural tourists and generate revenue.
Westside ArtWalk Names Hiroko Yoshimoto
2011 “Artist of Distinction”
A special selection committee of the Westside ArtWalk has named Ventura-based Hiroko Yoshimoto as the recipient of its first Westside ArtWalk Artist of Distinction award.
Committee co-chair Mary Perez said Westside ArtWalk organizers plan to present the Artist of Distinction award annually for an outstanding, distinguished body of work, combined with outstanding service to the arts and larger Ventura community.
“Given her status in the arts, her long, distinguished service as a teacher, her mentorship of so many, and her leadership contributions to numerous institutions and causes — Ventura College and the Museum of Ventura County, as examples — Hiroko was the committee’s overwhelming choice to receive the inaugural award in 2011. It is richly deserved.”
As 2011 Artist of Distinction, Yoshimoto’s work will be on view for the month of July at Vita Art Center, 432 Ventura Ave. Studio 30, Ventura.
Museum Hosts After-Party
to Honor Westside ArtWalk Artists
Saturday, July 23, 7-9 p.m.
The Museum of Ventura County will host an after-party to honor artists participating in Ventura’s new Westside ArtWalk. The public is invited to the free reception, featuring the Dan Grimm Band, at 100 East Main Street.
During the evening event, Cole Smothers’ photographs of Westside ArtWalk artists are on special exhibition. Smothers joins more than 30 artists featured in the museum’s summer exhibition Splash! which celebrates the art and history of Ventura’s local beach culture and ocean waters.
