@TO-Cal Stand Out hed:Fi$h net SCIART WEST, Oxnard Looking at Bob Privitt's "Flying Fish" sculpture, pictured here, should we say, "Give me five" or "Give me a fin"? Either would be correct. Thousand Oaks artist Privitt enjoys using double meanings and slang terms in his art. To understand "Flying Fish," for example, it helps to know that "fin" is a term for a $5 bill, and "fish" is an old slang word for the victim of a con artist. "Flying Fish" and other Privitt works are on display in the exhibit "Rockin' 'n' Rollin': Wheeled Vehicles and Strange Collages" at SCIART West through June 14. Privitt will present an artist's talk at 6 p.m. Saturday. The gallery is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, or by appointment, at 519 South C St., Oxnard. For more information, call 483-3148 or visit http://www.studiochannelislands.org. Courtesy photo

galleries + Art Exhibits

Ventura County

643 project space: Through May 16: Return to Pearl, multimedia works by Dean De Cocker. Gallery hours by appointment, 643 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. 310-592-9127; http://www.643projectspace.com.

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

ARTISTS' UNION GALLERY: Upstairs, May 2 through June 8: Lucky, a contemporary judged art show, with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. May 17. Downstairs: Artist Fellowship Showcase, with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. May 7. Noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, and noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 330 S. California St., Ventura. 643-3012; http://www.venturaartistsunion.org.

Bali Sea Boutique and Gallery: Ongoing: contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings by Robbie D. Sayers. 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.

BOREALIS EXPEDITION ADVENTURE RESOURCE: Ongoing: 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 May 24: California Places and Faces, pastel, watercolor and oil paintings by Judy Klement, with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. May 3. 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; http://www.buenaventuragallery.org.

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY: In the Kwan Fong Gallery, through May 17: 12 Apart, the work of CLU senior art majors. Mondays through Saturdays, CLU, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Free. 493-3241; http://www.callutheran.edu.

camarillo art center: Through May 18: Spring Forward, a judged art show, with a reception from 2 to 3 p.m. May 18. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 3150 Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo. 445-7061; http://www.camarilloartcenter.org.

CORNER ART GALLERY: Ongoing: oil, mixed-media, landscape and modern paintings by gallery owner Mamun Reazi. 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 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. 450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. 648-2100.

discovery gallery: Through May 1: Naturally Inspired, Santa Paula artist Silvia Huerta-Wetherbee's pen-and-ink and watercolor images of nature. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, inside the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau, 101 S. California St., Ventura. 648-1235; http://www.buenaventuragallery.org.

FOX FINE JEWELRY: Through May 12: Dreams and Roses, a joint exhibition by Ines Monguio and Gayel Childress. 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.

jonathan's at Peiranos: Through May 1: pastel landscapes by Marsha MacDonald. At J's Tapas: abstract epoxy paintings by Len Poteshman and mosaic busts by Theresa Davis. 204 E. Main St., Ventura. 648-4853; http://jonathansatpeiranos.com.

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

The oaks at ojai: Through June 15: pastel landscapes and seascapes by Birgitta Reveles 122 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 646-5573.

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. 210 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai. 646-6075.

PROVERBS COFFEEHOUSE: Through May 10: For the Love of Spring, watercolors and soft pastels by Pamela Solakian. 1 to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Proverbs CoffeeHouse at Peace Lutheran Church, 71 Loma Drive, Camarillo. 482-3313.

red brick art gallery: Through May 12: Wild Planet celebrates Earth Month with paintings, photography and sculptures of exotic animals, faraway places and mystical moments. 328 E. Main St., Ventura. 643-6400; http://www.redbrickart.com.

Sea breeze art gallery: Through May 17: Earth and Sky, celebrating Earth Day, features art that is somehow connected to the environment. 255 S. Laurel St., Ventura. Free. 643-3973; http://www.seabreezeartgallery.com.

Studio channel islands art center: In the Hall Gallery, ongoing: A site-specific installation by Christine Cross. Noon to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, or by appointment, CSU ChanneI Islands, Building 18, Ventura Street, Camarillo. 383-1368; http://www.studiochannelislands.org.

UNDER THE SUN CULTURAL ART GALLERY: Through May 24: artwork by Otto "Tito" Sturcke, who specializes in portraits of well-known members of the Latin community. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, inside the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. 804-6433; http://www.underthesungallery.com.

UPFRONT GALLERY: Through May 31: New Paintings, works by Jack Reilly. 267 S. Laurel St., Ventura. 340-1448; http://www.upfrontgallery.org.

ventura college art gallerIES: Through May 7: Annual Student Award Exhibition. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura. Free. 648-8974; http://www.venturacollege.edu.

VENTURA COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER: Through June 3: An art and poetry exhibition, with a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 8. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, Atrium Lobby, Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura. Free. 658-2213.

ventura wine co.: Through Oct. 15: Pat and Cat Patterson's photographic images they collected while circumnavigating the globe on bicycles. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, 4435 McGrath St. #301, Ventura. 642-9449; http://www.venturawineco.com.

visions gallery: Ongoing: The gallery, inside the Ventura Beach Marriott, features a rotating display of works by Brooks Institute students and alumni. Lobby level, 2055 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. 275-1112; http://www.marriottventurabeach.com.

events

+ workshops

Ventura County

open studio exhibit and sale: Painter Christine Brennan will hold the sixth annual event at her home studio. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3-4, 175 N. Pueblo Ave., Ojai. 640-8329.

pastel fiesta 2008: The Ventura County Pastel Artists presents this 15th annual spring exhibit and sale. 4 to 7 p.m. May 3 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4, Bert Collins West Hills Gallery, 1545 Cuyama Road, Ojai. 646-6907.

an evening with cynthia minet: As part of the Focus on the Masters Tuesday Talk Series, artist Minet will show and discuss her sculptures. 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 6, Technology Development Center, 5200 Valentine Drive, Ventura. $10 general admission, $5 students and seniors. 653-2501; http://www.cynthiaminetstudio.com.

call

to artists

california cold coast watercolor society: Artists are invited to submit transparent watercolor or aqua media for the society's 19th annual Open Competition, to run May 3-31. Work must be submitted from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 3 at the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery. For more information, call Barbara Wiles at 382-6225.

simi valley art association artwalk: Artists are invited to participate in the ArtWalk at the Simi Valley Street Fair on May 18. Space is $15 per artist. For more information, call Michelle Adler at 526-4599.

ojai center for the arts: Photographers are invited to submit work for Road Show, featuring visions of people and sights found along the roads of the world. The annual juried show will run June 1 through July 2. Work must be submitted May 29-30. For details, visit http://www.ojaiartcenter.org.

ARTISTS' UNION GALLERY: Artists can submit work for the gallery's Taboo Topics show, which will explore everything that's "forbidden" in society. Drop-off dates are June 9-10. For an online application, visit http://www.venturaartistunion.org.

museums

+ Institutions

Ventura County

CALIFORNIA OIL MUSEUM: Through July 27: St. Francis Dam Disaster, 80th Anniversary uses vintage photographs, detailed drawings and more to examine the disaster's history. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, 1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children. 933-0076; http://www.oilmuseum.net.

CAMARILLO RANCH: The restored Queen Anne-style Victorian house contains Camarillo family correspondence, restoration photos, and silver saddles and uniforms. Guided tours, 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; http://www.camarilloranch.org.

Carnegie art museum: Through May 18: Photos and Phantasy highlights how fantasy and photography create a new art form, featuring works by Christo, David Hockney, Andy Warhol and others. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, 424 South C St., Oxnard. 385-8157; http://www.vcnet.com/carnart.

CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK VISITOR CENTER: Museum, bookstore, marine life displays and exhibits. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. Programs about the park offered at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekends and holidays. Free. 658-5730; http://www.nps.gov/chis.

COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WING WWII AVIATION MUSEUM: Historical aircraft, displays and artifacts about World War II. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except Mondays and Wednesdays, Camarillo Airport, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo. 482-0064.

gardens of the world: Through May 11: Renaissance-inspired works by Evans Thomas. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 557-1135; http://www.gardensoftheworld.info.

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

MURPHY AUTO MUSEUM: Showcases cars from all decades, including a collection of Packards. 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 Aug. 17: The Past on a Plate, photographs of Ventura County from 1874 to 1909, by John Calvin Brewster. Through May 18: PlaceScapes, photographs of places frozen in time by Stephen Schafer. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays; 89 S. California St., Ventura (temporary location). $1-$4; free for children younger than 5. 653-0323; http://www.venturamuseum.org.

OJAI VALLEY MUSEUM: Through June 15: Made in Ojai reflects 25 years of studio tours and exhibitions. Ongoing: art by Beatrice Wood, Jesse Arms Botke and others, plus displays of Chumash artifacts and tools used by early settlers. 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, 150 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai. $3 adults; free for students and children under 6. 640-1390; http://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.

pleasant valley historical society museum: Ongoing: exhibits on Chumash culture, local ranchos, the Camarillo Ranch House, Springville, early 20th-century telephones and tools, and historical photographs. 720 N. Las Posas Road, Camarillo. 482-3660; http://www.pleasantvalleyhistoricalsociety.org.

rancho camulos museum: National Historic Landmark preserves the early California lifestyle with adobe buildings, a cocina, chapel, schoolhouse and more. 5164 E. Telegraph Road, Piru. 521-1501; http://www.ranchocamulos.org.

REYES ADOBE HISTORICAL SITE: Docent tours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month and 1 to 4 p.m. the second and fourth Saturdays. 5464 Reyes Adobe Road, Agoura Hills. $3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children 5 to 12, free for kids 4 and younger. 818-597-7361; http://www.reyesadobe.org.

RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM: Through Nov. 10: Nancy Reagan: A First Lady's Style, more than 80 items from the former first lady's wardrobe. Ongoing: Permanent exhibits explore Ronald Reagan's youth, movie career, marriage to Nancy and involvement in politics. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. $12 adults, $3 youths 11 to 17, free for children 10 and younger. 800-410-8354; http://www.reaganfoundation.org.

SANTA SUSANA RAILROAD DEPOT & MUSEUM: The restored Southern Pacific Railroad depot contains railroad artifacts and model trains. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 6503 Katherine Road, Simi Valley. $1 suggested donation; free for children accompanied by adults. 581-3462; http://santasusanadepot.org.

STAGECOACH INN MUSEUM: 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: The 6-acre park includes artifacts, a gift shop, and elements of the Chumash, Spanish rancho and American periods of Simi Valley history. Docent tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Grounds open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. 137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley. $3 donation. 526-6453; http://www.simihistory.com.