ART EXHIBITS

Ventura County

643 PROJECT SPACE: Through Oct. 26: Spinning Turning Wistfully Burning features paintings and sculptures by Jason Adkins. 643 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. Free. www.643projectspace.com.

ACUNA GALLERY: Through Oct. 30: One Love: Art Visions from the Four Corners of the World features works by Paul Dilworth of England, Christine Leong of Hong Kong, Elan Cohen of Bali, artists from the Cusco School in Peru and more. Café on A, 438 South A St., Oxnard. 487-8170.

ART GALLERY OF GRACE: Ongoing: Biblically themed mixed-media collage and acrylic artwork by Lee Hodges is on display. Noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Grace Church, 1560 E. Main St., Ventura. 302-3167.

ARTISTS' UNION GALLERY: Through Nov. 11: Digital Diversity, a juried show featuring digital art and photography, is billed as the first major all-digital exhibition on the Central Coast. Noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 330 California St., Ventura. 643-3012; www.venturaartistsunion.org.

ARTS & CRAFTS BY THE SEA: Ongoing: The San Buenaventura Artists' Union presents an outdoor sale of handcrafted items. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 330 S. California Street Plaza, Ventura. 421-9270.

Bali Sea Boutique and Gallery: Ongoing: Contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings by local artist Robbie D. Sayers are on display. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, 493 E. Main St., Ventura. 652-0573.

BLANCHARD LIBRARY: Through Oct. 25: The Ventura Adult Continuing Education Art Show features work by students in Judy Klement's four art classes. A percentage of sales of the paintings benefits art scholars. Blanchard Library, 119 N. Eighth St., Santa Paula. www.judyklement.net.

BOREALIS EXPEDITION ADVENTURE RESOURCE: Ongoing: Ventura County residents Mark and Holly Jansen of Sierra Crest Photography show their fine-art giclée prints on canvas of Yosemite and the eastern Sierra Nevada. Janss Marketplace, 275 N. Moorpark Road, Suite C, Thousand Oaks. 777-4810.

BUENAVENTURA GALLERY: Through Nov. 10: Kim and Peter Binfield's 17 mm and 180: A Photographic Exploration of Wide Angle and Panoramic Views will be on display. Noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 700 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura. 648-1235; www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY: In the Kwan Fong Gallery, Oct. 31 through Nov. 27: Light Sculptures by Sean Sobczak will be on display, with an opening reception at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 held in conjunction with CLU's annual Halloween Festival. Also, through Oct. 25: paintings by Cyn McCurry, a neoclassical artist from Texas, are on display, with a closing reception at 7 p.m. Oct. 25. Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. In Overton Hall, through Nov. 13: The McKinley Suite: Encounter with the Sacred is an exhibit of viscosity etchings of Mount McKinley by former CLU art professor John Solem; open from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. CLU campus, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Free. 493-3316; www.callutheran.edu.

CARNEGIE ART MUSEUM: Through Nov. 18: Dialogue of Generations features Jeff Gambill's paintings, described as "seeking the indefinite place between abstraction and representation," with a gallery talk by Gambill at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 28. Real Abstract is an exhibit of photographs by Ventura artist David Rivas. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, 424 South C St., Oxnard. $3. 385-8157; www.vcnet.com/carnart.

CORNER ART GALLERY: Ongoing: Oil, mixed-media, landscape and modern paintings by gallery owner Mamun Reazi are on display. 1490 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. 648-5728.

CROWNE PLAZA VENTURA BEACH HOTEL: Ongoing: The hotel has adorned its walls and public spaces with 40 works of art by local artists, including prints, paintings and sculpture; the artwork changes every 3 1/2 months. A map is available at the front desk with locations and descriptions of the art. 450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. 648-2100.

CSUCI EXHIBITIONS: Through Nov. 9: The Weird Worlds of Wyatt Vandergeest, Nedda Shishegar and Alex Violet Bast is a three-person exhibition that focuses on bizarre fantasies and introspective subject matter. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 92 Palm Drive, Camarillo. 437-8863; art.csuci.edu/gallery.

DISCOVERY ANNEX: Through Oct. 31: Sarah Willey's solo exhibit Est. 1782: Color Chromogenic Photographs of Ventura at Dusk will be on display. Ventura Visitors Bureau, 89 S. California St., Ventura. 648-1235; www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

FAST FRAME GALLERY: Through December: Ventura Scenes on Canvas features work by longtime Ventura artist Tony Jankowski. 3954 E. Main St., Ventura. 642-2180.

FOX FINE JEWELRY: Through Nov. 12: Image That features David Rivas' abstract photos, which capture the small details of everyday items. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 210 E. Main St., Ventura. 652-1800.

GARDENS OF THE WORLD: Through Dec. 2: WuShuen will show her paintings on rice paper inspired by traditional Chinese themes. 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 557-1135.

HARBOR VILLAGE GALLERY: Through Nov. 19: Arnold Orosco: Same Boy You've Always Known, Orosco's debut solo exhibit, features the Ventura native's mixed-media paintings influenced by Generation X. A reception will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26. Noon to 5 p.m. daily except Tuesdays, 1591 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 117-C, Ventura. 644-2750; www.harborvillagegallery.com.

HILLCREST CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Through Dec. 10: Eleven Ventura County artists show their work in Sculpture on the Hill, the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley's first all-sculpture show. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. 381-2747.

THE HISTORIC LOVE HOUSE GALLERY AT SPA BY DIANE LORING INC.: Through Oct. 29: New works by Dr. Pedro E. Garcia, Gail Lansbury, Jan Faulkner, Sarah Kalvin, Robyn Raggio and Duian Wood, with a reception from 3 to 9 p.m. Nov. 3. 119 S. Figueroa St., Ventura. 641-0022.

KWAN FONG GALLERY OF ART AND CULTURE: Oct. 31 through Nov. 27: Light Sculptures by Sean Sobczak will be on display, with an opening reception at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 held in conjunction with California Lutheran University's annual Halloween Festival. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, CLU, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. 493-3316; www.sandmancreations.com.

MCNISH ART GALLERY: Through Nov. 2: And This Is How it Ended (the Divorce Show) features paintings, photographs, installations and drawings by eight women artists who explore what it means to be divorced. 3:30 to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, or by appointment, Oxnard College, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard. 986-5800.

M/H DESIGNS: Ongoing: Contemporary landscapes and seascapes by Ventura artist Randel Rogers are on display. 21 Easy St., Suite 107, Simi Valley. 584-2600.

OJAI CAFE EMPORIUM: Through Nov. 30: Works by Ojai Studio Artists members are on display. 108 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. 646-2723.

OJAI ICE CREAM: Ongoing: Bill and Georgia Lee Scarlott's watercolor landscapes of the Yosemite and Ojai valleys and Vernon "Skip" Baim's oil seascapes are on display. 210 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 646-6075.

PALETTE FINE ART GALLERY: Oct. 27 to Nov. 24: Art of Living/Living to Tell explores loss of privacy in a world of increased security and surveillance. Featured artists include Keith Wicks, Barbara Fritsche, Antoine de Villiers, Diane Covington, Martin Weiner and Frank Ryan. A reception will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27. 453 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 640-8822; www.palette-gallery.com.

PROVERBS COFFEEHOUSE: Through Nov. 2: Barbara Fumagalli's "Cat's Cradle" and other engravings and prints will be on view. Noon to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, Proverbs CoffeeHouse at Peace Lutheran Church, 71 Loma Drive, Camarillo. 482-3313.

RED BRICK GALLERY: Through Nov. 19: In Our Eye, featuring photographs and paintings that represent the world as the artists see it, will be on exhibit. 328 E. Main St., Ventura. 643-6400; www.RedBrickArt.com.

SCIART WEST: Through Nov. 24: Fire by Fire features Kathleen Waggoner's ceramic sculptures and Karen Brown's encaustic paintings. Noon to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays or by appointment, 519 South C St., Oxnard. 483-3148.

SEA BREEZE ART GALLERY: Through Oct. 31: Mother and Child: Intimate by Nature features new works by Linda Jordan. 255 S. Laurel St., Ventura. Free. 643-3973; www.seabreezeartgallery.com.

STUDIO CHANNEL ISLANDS ART CENTER: Through Nov. 3: In the J. Handel Evans Gallery, Tom McMillin Retrospective: 1958-2007 is a display of conceptual art by CSU Channel Islands art professor and Port Hueneme resident McMillin. In the O'Keeffe Gallery, Mentor to Many: The McMillin Effect features work by McMillin's students. Noon to 3 p.m., or by appointment, Wednesdays through Saturdays, CSU Channel Islands, Building 18, Camarillo. 383-1368; www.studiochannelislands.org.

UNDER THE SUN GALLERY: Through Nov. 16: Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a group show featuring the art of Xavier Montes, Arturo Rivas, Breanna Valdivia and others. Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Studio 30, Ventura. Free. 804-6433.

UPFRONT GALLERY: Through Oct. 27: Monica Furmanski presents Cryptofloriography, a solo exhibition featuring a style of photography that she developed. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays, or by appointment, 267 S. Laurel St., Ventura. 340-1448; www.upfrontgallery.org.

WORKSHOPS

Ventura County

"strength is beauty" calendar reception: The Ojai Calendar Project will release its Women of Ojai 2008 "Strength is Beauty" calendar with a reception and gallery show. The limited-edition calendar features Attasalina Dews' fine-art nude photographs of 12 local women. Sales benefit local artists and school art programs. 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26, Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. 646-0177; www.womenofojai.com.

CALL TO ARTISTS

SEA BREEZE ART GALLERY: Artists are invited to submit up to three pieces of art for a Día de los Muertos exhibit. Also, the gallery is looking for installation artists to create an outside exhibit of ofrendas (altars). Drop-off will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 27. For an application form and submission requirements, visit the gallery at 255 S. Laurel St., Ventura. $10 entry fee per piece. 302-9992.

CALIFORNIA GOLD COAST WATERCOLOR SOCIETY: The organization is seeking entries for an open competition featuring watercolor and water media artwork. The art will be on display Nov. 3-30. Submissions are due from 10:30 to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Ojai Center for the Arts, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. 653-5280.

VENTURA PUBLIC ART PROGRAM: The city of Ventura is accepting proposals for a temporary art installation to be on display during the Spring 2008 ArtWalk. The submission deadline is Nov. 16. For detailed guidelines and an application, call 658-4736 or visit www.cityofventura.net/publicart.

MUSEUMS

Ventura County

CALIFORNIA OIL MUSEUM: Through Nov. 11: Día De Los Muertos, an exhibit celebrating Day of the Dead, will be on display, with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 1. Through Feb. 11: A Very Merry Model Train Exhibit features scenic displays and model trains from the Gold Coast Modular Train Club, Ventura Hobbies and the Santa Clara Valley Railroad Historical Society, plus a vehicle-themed Christmas tree. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, 1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children. 933-0076; www.oilmuseum.net.

CAMARILLO RANCH: The restored Queen Anne-style Victorian house, former home to the Adolfo Camarillo family, is a historical museum. Items on display include Camarillo family correspondence, photos of the restoration, and silver saddles and uniforms worn on the original Camarillo white horses. Guided tours are available from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo. $5 suggested donation. 389-8182; www.camarilloranch.org.

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTER: The center features a museum, bookstore, marine life displays and exhibits about the unique character of each island. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. Programs about the park are offered at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekends and holidays. Free. 658-5730; www.nps.gov/chis.

COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WING WWII AVIATION MUSEUM: Along with historical aircraft, the museum's permanent collection features displays and artifacts about World War II. A research library contains books about flying. Donation requested. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo. 482-0064.

HERITAGE SQUARE TOURS: Costumed docents lead 45-minute tours of historical homes built from 1887 through 1912. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, 715 South A St., Oxnard. 483-7960.

LEONIS ADOBE MUSEUM: The Los Angeles City Cultural Landmark and former home of Miguel Leonis highlights California life in the 1800s. On site are an authentically furnished Monterey-style adobe, period livestock, gardens and a vineyard. 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and Sundays, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 23537 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. 818-222-6511; www.leonisadobemuseum.org.

MURPHY AUTO MUSEUM: The museum showcases cars from all decades, including a collection of Packard automobiles. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard. $6 adults and teens, $3 children 12 and younger. 487-4333.

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY: Through Nov. 25: Art & Soul: Arte y Alma features Mexican folk art in celebration of Day of the Dead, along with photographs of Mexico by local photographers. Through Jan. 6: Warring Cultures: Conquest of the Americas, the newest exhibit of George Stuart's quarter-life-size figures, features depictions of Christopher Columbus, Queen Isabella, Francisco Pizarro, Junipero Serra, Native Americans and others. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, 100 E. Main St., Ventura. $1-$4; free for children younger than 5. 653-0323; www.venturamuseum.org.

OJAI VALLEY MUSEUM: Ongoing: The museum features art by Beatrice Wood, Jesse Arms Botke and others, plus displays of Chumash artifacts and tools used by early settlers. 130 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 640-1390; www.ojaivalleymuseum.org.

OLIVAS ADOBE HISTORICAL PARK: Ongoing: The two-story adobe hacienda on the park grounds, built by Don Raymundo Olivas in 1847, features furnishings from the early California rancho era. Docents in period costumes offer tours. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 4200 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura. For group tours, call 658-4728.

REYES ADOBE HISTORICAL SITE: Docents lead tours of the site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month and 1 to 4 p.m. the second Saturday. 5464 Reyes Adobe Road, Agoura Hills. $3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children 5 to 12, free for kids 4 and younger. 818-597-7361; www.reyesadobe.org.

RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM: Ongoing: Permanent exhibits explore Reagan's youth, movie career, marriage to Nancy and involvement in politics. Highlights include video clips, a re-creation of the Oval Office and gifts the Reagans received at the White House. The Boeing 707 that carried Reagan on 211 trips is on display and open for tours in the library's 87,000-square-foot Air Force One Pavilion. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. $12 adults, $9 seniors, $3 youths 11 to 17, free for children 10 and younger. 800-410-8354; www.reaganfoundation.org.

SANTA SUSANA RAILROAD DEPOT & MUSEUM: The fully restored Southern Pacific Railroad depot, which is more than 100 years old, has been transformed into a museum featuring railroad artifacts and model trains running through a miniature representation of Simi Valley. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 6503 Katherine Road, Simi Valley. $1 suggested donation; free for children accompanied by adults. 581-3462; santasusanadepot.org.

STAGECOACH INN MUSEUM: The museum features permanent and changing exhibits from the Chumash, Spanish mission and Conejo Valley pioneer eras. 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, 51 S. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. 498-9441.

STRATHEARN HISTORICAL PARK AND MUSEUM: State Historical Landmark No. 979, El Rancho Simi, part of the Chumash village Shimiji, is open for self- and docent-led tours. The six-acre park includes original structures, artifacts, machinery, a gift shop, and elements of the Chumash, Spanish rancho and American periods of Simi Valley history. Docent tours are scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. 137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley. $3 donation. 526-6453; www.simihistory.com.

VENTURA COUNTY MARITIME MUSEUM: Through Nov. 29: Masters of Modern Maritime Art features work by Louis Stephen Gadal, Phyllis Solcyk and David Large. All three are members of the American Society of Marine Artists and recognized as official artists by the U.S. Coast Guard. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 2731 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard. Donations accepted. 984-6260.

Up north

SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART: Through Jan. 13: Scores of Abstraction features photographer Oliver Gagliani's black-and-white images of objects in Yosemite and California's Gold Country. 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. 963-4364; www.sbma.net.

Down south

CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER: Through Dec. 31: Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear is an interactive exhibit that explores how the brain and body interact to respond to fear. Exposition Park, 700 State Drive, Los Angeles. 323-724-3623; www.californiasciencecenter.org.

GEFFEN CONTEMPORARY AT MOCA: Oct. 29 through Feb. 11: Murakami is a retrospective of works by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. 152 N. Central Ave, Los Angeles. 213-626-6222; www.moca.org.

J. PAUL GETTY MUSEUM: Through Nov. 25: Edward Weston: Enduring Vision features works that span the influential American photographer's 40-year career. 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. 310-440-7752.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART: Through Jan. 6: Dali: Painting & Film focuses on the relationship between the paintings and films of famed surrealist Salvador Dali. Through Oct. 28: The Arts in Latin America, 1492-1820 is an exhibit of more than 200 works created in what are now Mexico, Central America and South America. Through March 30: Southern California Art of the 1960s and '70s features 50 works, from oil paintings to room-size installations, that explore artists' utopian and dystopian visions of California. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-857-6000; www.lacma.org.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM: Through Nov. 4: The Spider Pavilion is an outdoor interactive area with hundreds of spiders in natural settings. Tours are available. 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. 213-763-DINO (3466); www.nhm.org.

SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER: Noah's Ark is a new permanent installation, inspired by the ancient flood story, that invites children and families to play, climb and discover aboard a giant wooden ark inhabited by life-size handcrafted animals. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-440-4500; www.skirball.org.