Pat Richards-Dodds began her art studies at Santa Monica High School, graduating in 1955. At age 16 she was awarded a scholarship for life drawing to Chouinard Art School. Her studies continued at the University of Washington, Ventura College, and private instructors.
Richards-Dodds professional art career began in 1978 with several one person exhibits, as well as the Theme Award for the Ventura County Fair. In 1985 she became a member of the invitational professional arts organization, Studio 83. Her work has been exhibited at Studio Channel Islands Art Center, LA Art Association, the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Art City, Community Memorial Hospital, the Museum of Ventura County, Buenaventura Art Association, The Crowne Plaza Hotel, as well as many other galleries and exhibits.
Pat is an active member of the Southern California cultural community. In 1998 she was one of small group of art leaders who founded Studio Channel Islands Art Center. Richard-Dodds served as the first chairperson as well as chairing many fund- raising events. Pat served as Director of Development, 2012-2013. She was recognized by the Ventura County Arts Council with the Arts Stars Award for Artist in the Community. In 2018 she received the Medici Award from Studio Channel Islands.
In 2014 Pat’s work was featured as one of the ten icons of Ventura artists at the Ventura Music Festival. In 2015 she was among the seven Southern California artists spotlighted in the New West Symphony’s Planets presentations in Thousand Oaks, Santa Monica, and Oxnard.
Pat’s current work features her expressionistic interpretations of light reflecting on water, night scenes abstracts and photography. Her work in progress can be seen in Studio D3, Studio Channel Islands Art Center at 2222 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo, 93010 by appointment, or on her website patrichardsart.com.