Once upon a time, in the sparkling sunshine of California, where the palm trees sway gently to the rhythm of the ocean breeze and the mountains stand tall with their majestic beauty, was a vibrant tribe of tiny artists known as the 'Sketching Sunchasers'. These weren't your run-of-the-mill kiddos! No sir-ee, they were a lively bunch of little Picassos, with pencils for wands and papers for magic carpets. Their drawings would come alive with vibrant colors that would put the most exquisite sunset to shame. They weren't just drawing; they were sketching their dreams on a canvas of infinite possibilities. Heading this extraordinary brigade was an imaginary character named Doodle Dude, a pencil with a cowboy hat and a bewitching grin. Doodle Dude was no ordinary pencil, his graphite tip was sharpened not just to sketch, but also to tickle out giggles and laughter from everyone. He had a contagious and a spontaneous sense of humor so powerful that even the grumpiest of grizzly bears couldn’t resist chuckling. With his unmatchable wit, Doodle Dude would often entertain the Sunchasers with puns and silly jokes. "Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! Got it? They 'make up' everything!" he'd chuckle at his own joke while the children laughed, rolling around in the California grass. And so, in the golden state of California, under the ever-watchful eye of the sun, the Sketching Sunchasers and their beloved Doodle Dude painted their dreams, giggled, and made memories that were as warm and radiant as the Californian sun itself. Life was one big, beautiful sketchpad!
Read morebest drawing-sketching programs in Ventura, CA
What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
In 2006, the Addison Family made a generous gift to create Bell Arts Factory, a non-profit, community-based organization. This organization uses the power of the arts to send positive messages and to inspire people to do good things for their community. The mural on the side of the building reads a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. This quote serves as a reminder of Bell Arts Factory’s mission to make a positive impact in the community through the beauty of art. At Bell Arts Factory, it’s our hope that we can make a lasting contribution to our community through creative expression and help to make the world a better place. We are thankful for the Addison Family’s generous gift that allowed us to pursue this mission.
At the Office of Cultural Affairs, we are deeply committed to building a better Ventura for all. Located within the Community Partnerships Division of the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships, we strive to create a thriving cultural environment in Ventura by promoting an understanding and appreciation of the arts, historic resources, and culture. Our team works diligently to give Ventura artists and arts organizations the resources and support they need to thrive, while also fostering cross-cultural understanding. We also recognize the importance of stimulating economic development and tourism. We are particularly focused on helping downtown Ventura grow and prosper. Through our work, we hope to ensure that the city of Ventura is a vibrant and exciting place to live and visit. At the Office of Cultural Affairs, we are passionate about preserving and celebrating the culture of Ventura. With our dedication to providing resources and support for local artists and organizations, cross-cultural understanding, and stimulating economic development and tourism, we are committed to making Ventura a better place for all.
Founded in 2016, Creative Art Center, was the brainchild of a number of Ventura art enthusiasts. Our mission at Creative Art Center is to make art accessible and enjoyable to both kids and adults alike. We provide quality art experiences that are designed to be both educational and fun. Our workshops are created to challenge our participants to explore their creative potential and to develop a lasting appreciation for art. We are proud to have been founded in the summer of 2016 by a group of passionate Ventura art enthusiasts.
Located at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura, the VC Arts Collective is a retail space generously provided to the VCAC by MaceRich Corporation. This partnership has enabled VCAC to bring a range of arts programming to the public, from art exhibitions and receptions, to poetry readings, performances and informative seminars. VCAC has also been awarded four separate grants from the California Arts Council for projects based in this space, providing valuable opportunities to local artists and creative individuals. Additionally, the VC Arts Collective offers workforce training opportunities to those who have had difficulty exhibiting their work.
Kids in the Ventura and LA County area can take advantage of Young Rembrandts art classes. Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Malibu offer after-school drawing classes that are designed to be enjoyable and foster improvement in academic ability, fine motor skills, social skills, hand-eye coordination, and confidence. Young Rembrandts is an excellent choice for preschoolers and elementary school students looking for fun and educational fall and winter activities. We collaborate with local schools and community facilities to provide convenient after-school clubs and activities.
At Vita Art Center, your little ones can explore their creative side! Our high-quality art classes are designed to provide an enriching experience in the visual arts for children and teens. Our experienced professional artists and instructors create fun and educational projects that are taught in a hands-on studio environment. With classes limited to 10 students, your child can receive personalized attention and get the most out of their art education. For families in need, Vita Art Center offers scholarships to ensure that all children have the opportunity to explore the transformative power of art.