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ARTWALK is now the "Westside ArtWalk, Ventura's aRT evolution" on July 23-24, 2011

Westside ArtWalk, Ventura's aRt evolution, has emerged to replace Ventura ArtWalk and debuts July 23-24, 2011, celebrating Ventura as California's New Art City as studio artists, galleries and arts organizations throw open their doors to raise awareness and increase knowledge of the arts for city residents and visitors alike. Visit the new event's website at  http://www.westsideartwalk.org for up-to-date information.

Aerialist Troupe Bringing Magic to Westside ArtWalk Fundraiser May 19

The creative aerial theater company AiRealistic will perform at a fundraiser scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Jonathan’s at Peirano’s, 204 E. Main Street Ventura, from 5-10 p.m. The party will celebrate the all-new Westside ArtWalk, an arts event shaping up to be a highlight of the summer. Read more.

Ventura’s ArtWalk evolves to Westside ArtWalk on July 23-24

Click to read about the first steps in community process to plan the successor to ArtWalk

Read below for the latest developments or visit  http://www.facebook.com/WestsideArtWalk.

The City of Ventura and community partners have been going through the exciting process of designing a new art event that will replace, enhance or re-imagine Ventura’s ArtWalk. Since this long-running event began, the City’s artistic landscape has changed considerably over the years, with the WAV, Bell Arts Factory, Art City, Crowne Plaza, Red Brick Gallery, Sylvia White Studios, Stoneworks, BAA and the newly remodeled Ventura County Museum able to house multiple artists and art exhibits. Knowing that the City no longer had the funding and staffing to fully support ArtWalk, an initial stakeholders meeting was held on December 10 at City Hall to talk about the future of ArtWalk. See the Jan-Feb 2011 issue (page 6) of State of the Arts at
http://www.cityofventura.net/culturalaffairs for a discussion of issues from last year’s meeting.

Consultant Doug Green was asked to facilitate the next key stakeholders meeting and community workshop. The objectives of the February 3, 2011 All Arts Stakeholders Meeting, which was held in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall, were to: cultivate a shared vision for the evolution of the ArtWalk; identify key success factors for implementing the event; develop a structure for a committee to guide the process; and brainstorm important stakeholders to involve in the work.

After a very successful and productive meeting, a final Community Workshop was held at the Bell Arts Factory on February15 to agree on name and concept for event, define committee member roles, and develop a simple cost structure for participation and a registration process, a task list and timeline and the first steps for outreach.

A new name, Westside ArtWalk: Ventura's aRt Evolution, was selected and committees are being formed to coordinate the event. Josh Addison, founder of the Bell Arts Factory and a strong force behind the creation of the Westside ArtWalk, says, "Ventura artists again rise to the occasion, demonstrating commitment to creative community collaboration. Westside ArtWalk, Ventura's aRt evolution, emerges as artists together lead the way. Happening July 23 and 24, 2011, focusing on art and artists, Westside ArtWalk celebrates Ventura as California's Art City. Inside and out, studio artists, galleries, and arts organizations throw open their doors, raising awareness and increasing knowledge of the arts. Ventura's aRt evolution offers opportunities for artists to sell art, while generating the fun, inspiration and "buzz" needed to build momentum, attract resources and reinvigorate ArtWalk. Artists are compelled to create - so together, onwards!"

For more information, contact Georgeanne Lees at glees@ci.ventura.ca.us.