Studio Channel Islands Art Center

Announces Future Relocation

The Board of Directors of Studio Channel Islands Art Center (SCIART) wishes to inform you of their decision to relocate their center by October 2009. At that time the present lease with CSU Channel Islands will expire and all negotiations for additional space on campus have resulted in space that can only be available for a limited number of years. Our move is a by-product of the University's success in bringing public higher education to this region and we stand in recognition of their successful growth. Likewise, in 10 years SCIART's labors have transformed an old abandoned site into a beloved center whose exhibits, studios, galleries and programs have re-invented the building into an enhanced campus attraction. The partnership between the resident and artist members and the local community has been a hallmark of its success, demonstrating both moral and financial support, and reassures all that, although SCIART has been located on a state campus, it was never financially supported by state funds. The Board and artists invite the membership, donors and community at large to share in our ongoing excitement and commitment to remain together as a studio and gallery. We could not have attained our success without the generosity of the initial campus site opportunity. Now we are fortunate to have formed an experienced and professional organization whose reputation has been established and whose goal of keeping the art collaborative experience in our local community is affirmed for the future.

During the past 10 years, SCIART has fulfilled the lofty goals that were set forth in the fall of 1997 by a small group of artists, community leaders and art lovers, and has more than lived up to its mission statement. We have 25 Resident Artists working in studios, and four Galleries. The caliber of exhibits in the galleries has continued to expand and amaze. The 10th Anniversary Celebration featured such giants of the art world as Donna Granata, John Nava, Connie Jenkins, John Farnsworth and Gary Lang, to name a few. The 2007 Membership Show "Personal Best" juried by Patrick Ela, demonstrated the quality of artists producing world class art right here in Ventura County.

We continue to host exhibits and workshops throughout the year, and to provide the community with the opportunity to talk with and meet well-known artists. We have opened an annex in Oxnard, SCIART West, on the Plaza, with a Gallery and Resident Artists.

Our beginnings on the campus of CSUCI were modest, but out of that has grown one of the leading art venues in Southern California. Yet it was always the expectation that one day the university would grow and space on campus would become a premium. We are now looking at that becoming a reality. We are beginning to look at sites within the cities of Camarillo and Oxnard. And as we do, we will continue to count on the support of our friends and benefactors, to help us create a new location, with the same heart and vision for the wonderful art collaborative experience that is SCIART.

For questions or comments, please contact SCIART at (805) 383-1368 or by email at sciartcenter@earthlink.net.