Event mixes provocative and engaging programs in closely connected venues.
OXNARD — On March 10th, just a few hours before the clocks up an hour for daylight savings, Downtown Oxnard gets an early jump on a new season of cultural programming with Art Beat 2nd Saturday, its monthly showcase of art, dining and entertainment, the Oxnard Downtown Management District reported this week in a media release.
Art Beat will feature more than ten art shows within a walkable loop in the city’s cultural and hospitality center with most programs taking place between 5 and 9 p.m.
First up, the Carnegie Art Museum presents extended viewing hours through 7 p.m. for a new exhibit, “Selections from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation.” Weisman was a pioneering Los Angeles collector whose expansive holdings range from the 1960s to present, and include varied art movements such as California Pop Art, Hard-Edge Abstraction, and Light and Space.
Around the corner, the Downtown Center for the Arts welcomes guest artist Jim Englund. A veteran photographer specializing in glamorized product, automotive and architectural photography, Englund is an Oxnard-based artist of international fame. Visitors to the studio can also get a peak at works from resident artist Gregg Arbeene.
And a few steps away, the Downtown Welcome Center at 445 So. B St., presents two exhibits — a nostalgic, kinetic collection of vintage bicycles on loan from the Murphy Auto Museum and collector Mark Llewellyn. The center also features a continuing exhibit of vibrant paintings depicting pueblo life from Mexican-born artist Tomas Otero.
New on “the Beat” is Elite Boutique, a fashion retailer at 210 W. 5th St., which will play host to a show by The Lab, a young, innovative arts studio known for mixing a graffiti-inspired street edge with fine art sensibility in a variety of media. Also, making its Art Beat debut is A Little Piece of Heaven Bakery, which will present “The Art of Cake Decorating” with live demonstrations at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. by owner/artist Angie Perez.
Other Art Beat highlights include: a night of Tango performance at Casapueblo restaurant, visual arts at the Café on A, and a benefit show at Arts for Action studio.
A complete program guide and map is available at OxnardArtBeat.com
While on the Art Beat, enjoy the creative culinary and cocktail delights in downtown such as the California fusion of Sugar Beets, award-winning drinks at the 5th Street Steak & Seafood, 4-star dining at La Dolce Vita in historic Heritage Square; or the famous gastro-pub fare of The Kitchen, featured on TV’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. A complete directory of downtown dining and entertainment offerings can be found at DowntownOxnard.org
About the Oxnard Downtown Management District
The Oxnard Downtown Management manages a Property-based Business Improvement District (PBID) encompassing 35 blocks, established in 2001. The PBID has helped fund key programs for the revitalization of downtown such as maintenance, public safety, image enhancement, marketing & promotions, and streetscape improvements. PBID programs have helped attract new businesses and investors back to downtown.