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Announcing VC’s Individual Artist Fellows | Ojai Arts Grants | Student Logo Competition | Poet Laureate Nominations

by Community Contributor • September 21, 2026 • Comments Off

Congratulations to Ventura County’s 2026-2027 Individual Artists Fellows

Three local artists have been selected to receive funding from the California Arts Council’s Individual Artists Fellowship in recognition of their artistic practice, professional accomplishments, and community contributions. VCAC collaborated with five regional partners, led by Arts Council Santa Cruz County, to connect Central Coast artists with this opportunity as part of California’s ongoing investment in its creative workforce. Read more

Marcus Eriksen

Visual Art

Eriksen is a scientist, artist, veteran, and co-founder of Leap Lab: Science Center of Ventura County. His artwork has been utilized side-by-side with his published oceanography research.

Fernando Salinas

Literary Art

Salinas is a published poet, spoken word performer, educator, and was the creator of Ventura County’s poet laureate and youth poet laureate programs. He is a Professor of English at Ventura College.

Miguel Orozco

Theater

Orozco is a playwright, theatre producer, filmmaker, educator, and founder of ÁNIMO Theatre in Ventura County. He is a Lecturer of Theatre at California State University Channel Islands.

AT THE ATRIUM GALLERY

Last Chance! Moon Ditch Mural Exhibit

Explore the community effort behind the Moon Ditch Mural, a public art project that transformed a flood control channel into one of the largest murals in the U.S. Designed by Oxnard artist Elisa Torres and painted by a team of local artists, the mural is a tribute to Ventura County’s living watershed, featuring native plants, wildlife, and waterways. On display through Sep. 30, M-F, 8am–5pm,

VC Government Center, Hall of Administration Atrium Gallery, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura.

Nominations are Open for the

5th Ventura County Poet Laureate

The Ventura County Poet Laureate advances awareness of and appreciation for poetry within Ventura County. The laureateship is an honorary position held by a distinguished poet who is a Ventura County resident with an established presence and history of involvement in the local literary community.

Nomination deadline:

October 31, 2026.

Learn more / Nominate a Poet

GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Ojai 2027 Arts Grant Program

The City of Ojai Arts Commission is accepting 2027 Arts Grants program applications from non-profit arts orgs and individual artists producing arts and cultural projects in the City of Ojai and Ojai Valley. Projects that promote diversity in Ojai’s cultural life and that foster community partnerships and artistic collaboration are encouraged.

Grant deadline:

September 30, 2026

Learn more / Apply

STUDENT COMPETITION

For K-12 Student Artists in Ventura County

Show off your skills by designing logos for the 2027 Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial, Science Fair, Civic Action Project, Battle of the Books, and Batalla de los Libros. The Ventura County Office of Education will select winning designs, which will appear on event pins, awards, and competition materials.

Entry deadline:

October 16, 2026

Learn more / Enter

UPCOMING EVENTS

9/19: Writing in the Gallery at

Vita Art Center

Need a last-minute idea for a creative weekend activity? Enjoy the intersection of art and language in a generative poetry workshop led by poet Laura Mullen. 9/19, 2-4pm, all ages, $35, pre-reg. required.

Learn more / Register

9/25-27: ArtWalk Ventura 2026

Free, family-friendly event featuring regional artists and musicians in local galleries, businesses, and restaurants in Ventura’s Downtown and west side, a large fine arts fair at Mission Park, and artists in pop-up spots along Main Street.

Learn more

10/18: Filipino American Fiesta at Museum of Ventura County

Pinaysphere and the Museum celebrate the 2nd Annual Filipino American Fiesta featuring Filipino dance, art exhibit, food, music, kids’ crafts, and mahjong tables. Free event, 11am-4pm.

Learn more

10/25: Dia de los Muertos at Oxnard Performing Arts Center

A celebration of life and remembrance at OPAC’s 7th Annual Día de los Muertos event filled with calacas, ofrendas, performances, and local food vendors. Free event, 5-9pm.

Learn more

MONTHLY ARTS OPPORTUNTIES

1^st SUNDAYS: Poetry First Sunday @ Vita Art Center

Featured poets & open mic, hosted by Phil Taggart.

28 West Main St., Ventura, 3pm, free

1^st WEDNESDAYS: Open Mic Poetry @ Colonia Branch Library

1500 Camino Del Sol, Oxnard, 5pm, free

1^st WEDNESDAYS: Writers in the Gallery @ Studio Channel Islands

Free workshops to inspire writers (and nonwriters) of all genres.

2222 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, 6:30pm, free

1^st SATURDAYS: Open Studios @ Studio Channel Islands

Local artists welcome visitors into their studios to watch them create sculptures, paintings and multimedia pieces up-close.

2222 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, 11am-4pm, free

1^st SATURDAYS: Family Art Activities @ Studio Channel Islands

Family-led, seasonal projects for all ages. No activities Jul., Aug. or Sep.

2222 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo, 11am-2pm, free

2^nd WEDNESDAYS: Open Mic Poetry @ Newbury Park Library

Hosted by Ron Fullerton.

2331 Borchard Rd., Thousand Oaks, 6pm, free

2^nd FRIDAYS: Community Art Night @ OPAC

Drop-in art night with art stations for all ages and skill levels. No pre-registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. *Check OPAC event calendar beforehand, as not every event falls on the 2nd Friday.*

800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, 6:30-8:30pm, free

2^nd SATURDAYS: Poetry on Eighth Open Mic @ Blanchard Library

Hosted by Anita McLaughlin.

119 N 8th St., Santa Paula, 12pm, free

3^rd TUESDAYS: Ojai Poetry Series @ Ojai Library

Featured poets & open mic, hosted by Judy Oberlander & Crystal Davis.

111 E Ojai Ave., Ojai, 6pm, free

3^rd FRIDAYS: $5 Fridays Art Night @ Art Trek

All-ages, themed, community art nights with five art stations of differing materials. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

1144 Tourmaline Dr, Newbury Park, 5:30pm, $5 per person

4^th WEDNESDAYS: Open Mic Poetry @ Grant R. Brimhall Library

Hosted by Ron Fullerton