Courtesy photo, images.
SANTA PAULA — The Santa Paula Art Museum presents “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation,” a solo exhibition by Ojai mixed media artist Mary Neville. Featuring all-new abstract paintings and works on paper, “Field Trip” tells the story of Neville’s recent, month-long artist residency at Ghost Ranch in northern New Mexico, once home to legendary artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Meet artist Mary Neville during the exhibit premiere on Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission to the premiere reception is $5 for SPAM members and $10 for non-members. Wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres will be served. “Field Trip: 30 Days at a Higher Elevation” will be on view at the Santa Paula Art Museum from January 14, 2023, to May 7, 2023. Many of the artworks will be available for purchase.
Mary Neville is a self-taught artist. She started painting 10 years ago at age 50 after many years of working in various creative environments including fashion, interior design, and architecture. Mary’s mixed media paintings include a variety of mediums such as acrylic paint, paper, pencil, and chalk and oil pastels. Each artwork is a journey of personal discovery, for the artist and the viewer. Neville paints to connect more deeply with herself, her experiences, and with other people.
In September 2022, Neville was invited to participate in a 30-day artist residency at Ghost Ranch, a retreat and education center near the town of Abiquiu in northern New Mexico. The artist lodgings at Ghost Ranch are simple and rustic, but the view is unrivaled—the ranch’s red and yellow mesas and cliffs were first made famous by artist Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), who lived in Abiquiu for much of her adult life. Painted in her Ojai studio in the eight weeks following her return from Ghost Ranch, Mary Neville’s “Field Trip” exhibition is a breathtaking tribute to nature, transitions, and “the powerful relief of spaciousness felt when one is able to unpack the excess baggage of life and leave it behind for 30 days.”
More About Mary Neville:
Born and raised in Southern California, Mary Neville earned her Associate of Arts degree in Merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, California. Neville is a member of Ojai Studio Artists. She currently lives and works in the beautiful Ojai Valley with her husband, 3 dogs, and a cat. Mary is currently represented by 10 West Gallery in Santa Barbara, CA; Fringe Shoppe in Ventura, CA; and OVA Arts in Ojai, CA.
About the Santa Paula Art Museum:
The Santa Paula Art Museum occupies two historic buildings located at 117 N 10th Street and 123 N 10th Street in downtown Santa Paula. The Museum features rotating exhibitions of historic and contemporary art, art classes for children and adults, creative community events, a well-curated gift shop, and more. Regular museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Regular admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and free for students and museum members.