12/28/2007
'A Passion for Art' Celebrates Ventura Music Festival's 2008 Season with Inagural Exhibition
From vibrant color and bold brushstrokes to amazing sculpture and assemblage presentations, 2008 art works are exceptional jewels, on display beginning January 5 with hosted reception at Artists Union Gallery in Ventura.

For several seasons, art has been an integral component to the Ventura Music Festival, enhancing and supporting each season by promoting the visual essence of passion, romance, creativity, promise and song.

The Artists Union Gallery in Ventura will host an inaugural opening reception of 2008 Ventura Music Festival Art on from 6 to 9pm on January 5 featuring the exclusive works.

James Graca, an artist and board member of the Ventura Music Festival, helped to organize this year's art celebration for the Ventura Music Festival, which features original art created by 40 Ventura County artists. Graca spent several months securing artists to participate in the Ventura Music Festival arts celebration.

"We had an outstanding response from artists," he says. "Everyone was very excited to participate and we are thrilled to have an unprecedented 40 pieces of art this year that fit the tone and emotion of the 2008 season theme, 'Appassionata.'"

"The collection of art is amazing.so many beautiful pieces reflecting the passion of each individual artist," says Cheryl Heitmann, executive director of the Ventura Music Festival. "There truly is something for everyone to fall in love with."

"We have a sensational art committee and the artwork we received from artists was beyond our expectations," Graca says. "The art absolutely runs the gamut from traditional, to impressionistic, expressionistic, mixed media, sculpture, abstract, and more. It is an incredible show!"

All 40 art pieces are available for purchase now and at the annual art auction gala, "A Night of Passion," on March 29, 2008. Proceeds will benefit the Ventura Music Festival, a non-profit organization. The auction represents its largest fundraiser of the year, providing funds to keep its many educational and concert programs available for the community.

To view artworks and find out about how to make a purchase, visit the website at www.venturamusicfestival.org, or call the festival offices at 805-648-3146.

2008 Art Exhibit Schedule:
January 5 through February 3, 2008
Inaugural opening reception: January 5 - 6 to 9 pm
Gallery hours: Noon to 6pm Thursday and Sunday; Noon to 9pm Friday and Saturday
Artists Union Gallery
330 S. California Street, Ventura

February 6 through March 5, 2008
Opening reception: February 13 - 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Display hours: 9am to 5 pm Monday-Friday
Ventura County Government Center
800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura

For more information, photographs or to schedule an interview with artist(s), contact Tina Vervoorn at CMS Info Services, 805-983-3495 x117. To receive a digital 2008 Ventura Music Festival Press Kit on CD, complete with art and musicians for the entire 2008 season, please send an e-mail request to: pr@consortium-media.com.