Ventura Art Group Awards Open Competition Prizes 

The Buenaventura Art Association has announced the winners of its 27^th annual Open Competition. Their works were chosen by juror Katrina McElroy, a Moorpark College art instructor, from entries submitted by artists from throughout Central and Southern California.

The two- and three-dimensional pieces are on exhibit through Jan. 26 at the organization’s Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara Street in downtown Ventura, which is adding Sunday, Jan. 20, 12-5pm to its schedule to allow more people to see this show. More than $1,500 in cash prizes and BAA membership benefits were awarded at a Jan. 12 reception and ceremony.

“Transcendence,” an oil painting on canvas by Erika Craig, was judged Best of Show and earned top prize of $400 for the young artist, an Honorable Mention winner in the nonprofit association’s 2012 Emerging Artist Cup student competition.

“Transcendence,” an oil painting on canvas by Erika Craig, judged Best of Show

First place among the two-dimensional entries was “Glance,” a digital print by Julia Bagdasaryan, who earned a Merit Award in last year’s student competition. Second went to “Bonsai Paradise” by Erik Abel, who used acrylic paints and mixed media on a wooden panel.

Third place in 2D was awarded to Patti Post for a charcoal on paper drawing titled “Entering Elysian Fields” and Honorable Mention to Susan Colla for “Jacks Nude,” a pencil drawing on illustration board.

In the three-dimensional category, the first-place winner was “Chair #2,” constructed of walnut and beech woods by Scott Shoemate. An assemblage by Sylvia Raz titled “Three Women Walking Their Pets” won second place, and “Black Sands Lily,” a marble sculpture by JoAnne Duby, took third. Honorable mention in the category went to Bob Privitt for “Sandblasted Domaine,” a mixed media piece. 

The Buenaventura Gallery is open noon-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org.