Santa Paula Art Museum — 7 Ways To Visit (and People To Meet) in April

Art creates community.

Detail of artist Duane Dammeyer’s sculpture entitled Nature Posted currently on display in the Museum’s outdoor Art Park.

Indoor Galleries and Outdoor Art Park Now Open

The Santa Paula Art Museum is now open to the general public! Visit the Museum Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy three excellent exhibitions: Inspiration and Influence, Santa Paula Sojourn, and Silver Linings: Journey of Light. Take a walk around our outdoor Art Park exhibit, shop in the gift shop, and more!

In accordance with public health directives, all museum guests are required to wear a face mask for the duration of their visit, to sanitize their hands upon entry, and to sign a waiver upon entry. Reservations are not required. The Museum will be CLOSED on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021.

Currently featured artist Duane Dammeyer working at his Art City studio in Ventura.

Artist-Led Tours All Through April

Tours available at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays April 3, April 10, and April 17; and Sunday, April 25

Enjoy a guided tour of the breathtaking exhibition Inspiration and Influence led by its featured artists, sculptor Duane Dammeyer and painter Rima Muna. Spend 45 minutes with the artists and learn more about stone sculpture, abstract painting, and finding inspiration. Each tour is limited to six guests to maintain social distancing, and the tour is included with the regular cost of museum admission. Reservations are required.

Artist Anette Power in her Newbury Park studio.

Reservation-Only Artist’s Reception With Anette Power

Reservations available at 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 10, 2021

Join artist Anette Power at the Museum to celebrate her solo exhibition Silver Linings: Journey of Light! The artist will be on hand from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to greet visitors and talk about her most recent adventures in art. Each hour of the reception is limited to 20 guests to maintain social distancing inside the Museum. Admission to the reception is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and FREE for members and students. Reservations are required (payment will be collected at the door – credit card only).

Teaching artist Sharon Weaver at work.

Virtual Class: Lessons from the Masters (Ages 16+)

This course will meet online from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm on three Tuesdays: April 13; April 20; and April 27

What makes a masterpiece? Join veteran landscape painter Sharon Weaver online to explore the secrets of her favorite landscape masters and the techniques and strategies behind their brilliant bodies of work. Weaver, who will be featured in the Museum’s upcoming PAC6 Painters exhibit opening in July, will expand your understanding and appreciation of artists like Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran, Claude Monet, Edgar Payne, and many more. The cost of this three-part class series is $45.00 per person. The class will meet virtually using the Zoom platform and is appropriate for everyone ages 16 and over. Preregistration is required.

Teaching artist Jem Morris painting en plein air.

Virtual Class: Figure Drawing Essentials (Ages 16+)

This course will meet online from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on six Thursdays: April 15; April 22; April 29; May 6; May 13; and May 20

Figure drawing is an essential practice for every artist. Join teaching artist Jem Morris online to experience this time-honored art form where the emphasis isn’t on a finished product, but rather on embracing the process of creative flow. The course is perfect for beginners and intermediates ages 16 and over. The cost of this six-part class series is $125.00 per person (a suggested list of simple supplies will need to be purchased independently). The class will meet virtually using the Zoom platform. Preregistration is required.

Assistant Museum Educator Jessica Diaz struck a pose in the Museum’s outdoor Art Park during our most recent Art To-Go Bag giveaway.

Art To-Go Bags FREE Giveaway

Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.

The Museum will be giving away FREE Art To-Go Bags on Saturday, April 17, at 10:00 a.m. The bags will be available via a drive-thru only pick up in the parking lot behind the Museum (while supplies last). April’s free art bag will draw connections to the Museum’s new outdoor Art Park inspired by Ventura artist Hiroko Yoshimoto’s painting series entitled Biodiversity.

The Museum’s free, monthly Art To-Go Bags are made possible by our sponsors: The Smith-Hobson Foundation, Ventura County Community Foundation, Brianne McGrath, Rotary Club of Santa Paula, Kai and John Blanchard, Fran and Jim Christiansen, Patti Fallini, Kathy Good, Laurence Holmer, Willa and Earl McPhail, Michael Pulliam, Santa Paula VFW Post #2043, John Woods, and Dorcas Thille.

Currently featured artist Rima Muna.

Reservation-Only Artists’ Reception with Duane Dammeyer and Rima Muna

Reservations available at 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, 2021

Join artists Duane Dammeyer and Rima Muna at the Museum as they mark the close of their shared exhibition Inspiration and Influence. The artists will be on hand from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to greet visitors and provide insights into their work. Each hour of the reception is limited to 20 guests to maintain social distancing inside the Museum. Admission to the reception is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and FREE for members and students. Reservations are required (payment will be collected at the door – credit card only).

Artist Erin Hanson in her gallery.

Erin Hanson: Colors of California Opens May 1

Exhibit will be on view May 1, 2021 to July 25, 2021

As we move into May, we’ll be bringing you a brand new exhibit featuring artist Erin Hanson. Erin Hanson: Colors of California will include landscapes inspired by Ventura County, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles, Monterey County, Mendocino and other scenic California locales. Erin’s unique style has come to be known as “Open Impressionism,” and she has hundreds of thousands of followers online. Be sure to mark your calendars for this one!