Kiersten Alexis

Aphrodite Lost At Sea

PNK MTH

●  Going Inward Outward

Statement

Kiersten Alexis is a multidisciplinary artist whose work dismantles myth, memory, and media through a deliberately provocative lens. Working primarily in mixed media painting, she blends digital-age iconography with classical references— often using the female form to explore themes of surveillance, objectification, and erotic agency. Her pieces interrogate what it means to be seen in a world obsessed with image and narrative control.

Born in the U.S. and academically trained with a minor in philosophy, Alexis’s conceptual framework pulls from existentialism, internet subcultures, and the deification of femininity. Her practice often centers around reclaiming the gaze. She translates it into intimate, confrontational visual statements.

Jane Arthur

New Beginnings

Flowering

Statement

Making art has always been therapeutic for me. Creative expression through drawing and painting lets me communicate without words. Oil paint has become my favorite way to bring ideas to life. My paintings tend to be about accidental beauty and bittersweet emotions found in personal landscapes. I like experimenting with the elements of painting, embracing the messiness. I’m inspired by the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, favoring their visible brush strokes.

I was born and raised in Ventura County and I’m a current student at CSU Channel Islands. I love my home and I love being an art student. Getting to know my classmates and professors has been a joy. Spending time in the studio making art, talking about art, and laughing together is so special. Education is truly magical. I hope to use my tools to create art that makes the world a little sweeter.

BeauAmber Bakhtiar

Apples Never Fall

The White Rabbit

Statement/Biography

BeauAmber Bakhtiar is a narrative painter/illustrator exploring identity, memory, and myth through symbolic, fantastical imagery. Her work investigates the cycles of self, the influence of heritage, and the interplay between personal and collective experience.

[ … ]

Apples Never Fall portrays a self emerging from a tree laden with apples, symbolizing familial influence, inheritance, and the desire to grow outward while acknowledging what is passed down. [ … ] Her White Rabbit painting immerses viewers in a whimsical, literary-inspired world where time, seasonality, and symbolism merge. Finally, her delicate watercolor studies capture moments of wonder with meticulous attention to detail.

Across these works, Bakhtiar creates personal narrative, mythological motifs, and symbolic storytelling, creating paintings that invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences and imagination. Her art is a space where the fantastical meets the personal, showcasing the intimate and universal of human experience.

Elena Berdnikova




Porcelain Cat






Conjunction (Homage to Beatrice Wood)






Secret Agents (Set of 3 ceramic pieces)






Adornment of Another Self (Triptych)



Statement

Elena Berdnikova is a Ventura-based artist and student at Ventura College. Through painting, drawing, ceramics, and mixed media, she explores the interplay of form, emotion, and storytelling, creating works that invite contemplation and engagement.

Rooted in cultural heritage and driven by an exploratory creative inquiry, her art navigates the relationships between nature and humanity, the spiritual and the material, and the dynamics of interpersonal interaction. Each piece carries a narrative that is both personal and universal, offering moments of quiet introspection.

Grounded in rigorous artistic training yet guided by intuition, her practice transforms everyday experiences into visual works that inspire emotional resonance while leaving space for individual interpretation. Her art is an invitation: to pause, to feel, and to attune to the delicate balance between chaos and tranquility.

Tezza Blanek

Lorelei Brooks

Lauren Cabral




Poisonous Flowers and Poison Ivy






Abalone



Statement

My work explores different facets of nature, the delicate qualities of living creatures and the fleeting moments of existence we all share. Through ceramic forms and surface decoration, I seek to create three-dimensional interpretations of how I perceive the natural world.

Working with clay allows me to mirror the organic processes of growth, change, and impermanence. I feel most connected with B-mix clay because of how malleable yet strong it is. My use of earthy tones and blue glazes ground the works in familiar natural palettes. I aim to show that time is limited on this earth and the creatures we share our lifetime with should be acknowledged as fellow sentient beings.

A major influence on my work is Jenchi Wu. She is my professor at Ventura College and created an environment where I was free to experiment, explore, and learn.

Frank Candela




Life’s Journey






Viewing Art



Statement

As a retired surgeon, my journey has been deeply rooted in both science and human connection. Throughout my career, I have always held a profound affinity for art, finding inspiration in the interplay between creativity and healing. Now, as an art student at California State University, Channel Islands, I am pursuing my dream to become an artist—dedicating myself to exploring the expressive potential of visual forms.

My life has been shaped by diverse experiences: from the intense focus required in the operating room, to the empathy needed in caring for patients and families, to the personal moments of reflection that come with retirement and reinvention. These perspectives fuel my artistic practice. I strive to channel my emotions, insights, and memories into each work, using color, texture, and composition to communicate what words often cannot.

Being an applicant for ‘Emergence 2026’ at Studio Channel Islands is an exciting opportunity to share my evolving vision. My art is informed by a lifelong curiosity and the desire to make meaning from lived experience. I am passionate about creating pieces that invite viewers to pause, reflect, and perhaps see their own stories within mine.

I am grateful for the chance to continue learning, growing, and expressing myself within this vibrant community. For me, art is not only a second career—it is a calling, and I am honored to be part of this moment of Emergence.

kaila chavez




Looks Like Home






●  Always Space to Grow






Home Botanicals



Statement

Our natural world captures my attention because to know that it was all here before us and long after just fascinates me. Noticing how unique each tree, insect, animal and plant etc. is, in relation to biology, I love learning how they form over time and how things work and live in many different environments. Culture and community is also an insight I include in my work, it is a place where you know that you don’t have to be alone when you’re going through tough times. The big screen! Movies, all the props, cgi, and color hues that affect scenes, etc. that are put into a movie and the careful thought put into designing for each film. I truly appreciate and grab inspiration from these topics and love creating my own artwork tied to them.

Working with Acrylic paint, I truly love being able to bring my perspective of the world onto a canvas. You might see science and nature related content followed by deep meanings and symbolism in my work. All the small details that exist in nature and human designed items will never cease to fascinate me, so when it comes to my paintings you will often find me practicing tiny intricate details. While focusing on small details, my work tends to include sharp clean lines, and colors across the spectrum.

Every day I go on walks, during sunrise, evenings, at night, to many places, I get inspired each day. By the designs I find around me or the color combinations nature shows us, the way many different colors can find ways to flow together so beautifully. As I go on these walks I take many photos from all different angles that I later bring onto my canvas. It branches from an inspiration picture to me changing the settings of the image to match the vibe I am going for and then I begin sketching it and painting.

My family has always supported and inspired me whenever it came to my artwork/being an artist, I think what it also is, that my family has always been appreciative and in awe of the different art work being made through time around the world. Growing up I would watch a lot of nature documentaries with my mom and forged in fire & car shows with my dad. It always peaked my interest watching the HOW of nature being grown and the process to design a car from the beginning. Another thing that has inspired me is being surrounded by art my whole life, when I was in school and there would be art events I would attend and participate in too, and the murals and street work around my city observing them and knowing there is someone out there sharing stories and history, knowing our community is more than just a location but its people and much more.

When I am painting and creating my colors, watching them come together on my palette and then my canvas, it feels illuminating. Knowing that most colors are not just one color out of the bottle, but multiple combined. Another thing that gets me excited about making my work is seeing my ideas come to life, because as an artist ideas and visions are always running through my head and when I make time to start on one of those projects, and bring it to life, it feels like a mini goal accomplished every time. Knowing that I can share my perspective with others through my artwork, it feels like opening a new door and they can step into.

Biography

Kaila Chavez is an artist with a passion for acrylic painting, printmaking and screen printing. She was raised in the San Fernando Valley and is currently attending CSUCI. Her fascination with the overlooked parts of nature fuel her renditions of our world through multi-colors and detailed work. When she completes a new piece of work, forging a sense of connection in the viewer is at the forefront of her work as she continues to develop her aesthetic. Kaila’s work ranges from paintings and prints to multi-media work. When Kaila gets paint on her hands “literally and figuratively” you know she is in the zone.

Keri Clement

Katlynne De Guzman

Carlos Diaz Cruz

2026 Thomas and Patricia Dodds Award for Excellence Runner-up




Memento Mori






Dead or Alive






Boundless Expression






Conquest






Moctezuma



Statement

I am Carlos Diaz Cruz, and I am a third-year art major at California State University, Channel Islands. My practices focus on drawing and painting, where strong fundamentals guide how I build each piece. My academic training has helped me develop discipline and technical skill, but I approach my work with flexibility, using what I learn in the studio to support my own ideas rather than limit them.

My work is shaped by my background, Mexican culture, and the environments in which I have grown up. I am drawn to themes of life and death, memory, and identity, often using symbolism to explore the balance between what endures and what fades. I am especially interested in contrast, decay alongside growth, tradition next to the present, and quiet moments against more intense imagery. These ideas show up through layered details and intentional imagery rather than literal narratives.

I aim to create work that feels honest and grounded in real experience. Instead of chasing perfection, I focus on clarity, emotion, and purpose within each piece. Through my art, I use visual storytelling as a way to reflect on personal history while leaving space for viewers to form their own connections.

Mónica Estrada




To My Greatest Love






Aurelia Aurita






North Bend, Washington






Teuchitlán, Jalisco 2025



Statement

Mónica Hermelinda Estrada is a multidisciplinary artist from Ventura, CA studying Sociology and Studio Art at CSU Channel Islands. Incorporating realism into painting, drawings and prints, she invites the viewer to envision themselves as part of the points in time in our lives that pass by so easily. Her work appreciates the memories shared with loved ones while other works are dedicated to discussing awareness of social issues uncovered by main media outlets. “Art can be found anywhere just waiting to tell the stories of our world which can be devastatingly tragic scenes or the most beautiful moments experienced.”

Lulu Fernandez




Glow 2018 (2025)






Kiki’s Wish (2025)



Statement

My name is Lulu Fernandez, and I am a first-generation Mexican-American painter, illustrator, and animator. My work explores themes of youth, nostalgia, friendship, and love through brightly saturated colors, graphic figures, and freeform mark-making. Inspired by my childhood, lived experiences, and cultural heritage, I strive to create pieces that authentically reflect my worldview and the stories that inhabit it. I primarily work with acrylic paint and digital illustration, often blending the two to build vibrant, layered compositions. Using the CMYK color wheel, I create illuminated, highly saturated works that balance graphic forms with intricate textures. By experimenting with color and mark-making, I push the boundaries of both mediums, infusing whimsical details to tell compelling stories. Much of my inspiration stems from the love I have for family, friends, my cultural background, and the nostalgia of cherished memories. My work captures the fleeting emotions of life—whether love, heartbreak, or the moments that transcend time. I aim to invoke a sense of nostalgia and connection, encouraging viewers to see their own stories reflected in my art. In the future, I plan to create larger series exploring friendship and the universal moments that connect us all. My ultimate goal is to build immersive worlds that combine storytelling with whimsical, intricate design, cultivating a deeper connection with a broader audience. To its core, my work celebrates life, love, and the beauty of shared experiences. Art is an authentic reflection of my heart, my mind, and my affection for life itself.

Makenzie Haber




Captivity






Overcrowded



Statement

My work centers on painting marine life, inspired by a lifelong connection to the ocean and a deep fascination with its creatures. From an early age, trips to the beach and aquariums sparked my interest in marine animals, and that curiosity has evolved into an artistic practice focused on capturing the movement, color, and individuality of ocean life. I view the ocean as one of the most vital and fascinating environments on our planet, and it remains my primary source of inspiration. Jellyfish, sharks, squids, and other often overlooked or misunderstood species appear frequently in my work, as I am drawn to their complexity, structure, fluid motion, and vibrant presence.

I currently work primarily in oil paint, though I previously worked exclusively in acrylic. Oil allows me to build rich layers, achieve smooth blends, and capture fine details with greater depth and luminosity. Transitioning to oil has made my process more fluid and expressive. I typically develop my paintings from back to front, establishing the environment before refining the subject. Through multiple layers, I adjust color, texture, and form to create a sense of movement and realism.

Aquarium visits and my own scuba photography serve as my main sources of reference and inspiration. Becoming scuba certified has allowed me to observe marine life in its natural environment and translate those firsthand experiences into my work. As a 19-year-old artist and art instructor at a private studio, I am passionate about both teaching and creating art that reflects my commitment to ocean conservation. Through my work, I aim to celebrate the beauty of marine life while encouraging viewers to recognize the importance of protecting the oceans and ecosystems that sustain our planet.

Sam Haines




Cedar Waxwing Perched Among Toyon Berries






Christophe and Gege: Good Friends






Man Lying on Stomach






Woman Reclining



Statement

Sam Haines is an emerging multidisciplinary artist from Ventura, California. Working in charcoal, oils and photography he aims to build a better understanding of the self, the natural world around us and our sense of place within it. Sam holds an AA in Studio Arts from Ventura College and is currently attending CSUCI in pursuit of a Bachelors in Studio Arts.

Nichole Hendrix




Dolly, Venus and Lily






Self



Statement

Nichole Hendrix is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in ceramics and painting. Her work is a vibrant exploration of the natural world, defined by a playful sense of whimsy and a sophisticated use of color and pattern. By translating organic forms into tactile clay pieces and rhythmic canvases, Nichole invites viewers to rediscover the joyful details of their environment.

In addition to her studio practice, Nichole is a dedicated educator, teaching art and ceramics at elementary schools in Ventura County. This dual role as both artist and mentor allows her to foster a community-centered approach to creativity, ensuring that the wonder and curiosity found in her work are shared with the next generation of makers.

Desireé Hernandez




Calling






Sacrosanct






Unveiling






Divination



Statement

Desireé Hernandez is a conceptual photographer who is best known for her child-like approach and playfulness with her imagery. DeZire Photography is the entity through which she works and aims to show her clients that their ideas are indeed possible.

Thanks to her combined education from Brooks Institute and Academy of Art University, Desireé has been able to sculpt her style more fluently as well as experience what it takes to deliver professional level work. “Simplicity With A Thousand Stories” is her personal motto and the unique style she seeks to embed into each image.

Before her career in photography, Desireé blossomed performing in choir, theater and more. While she is not working on her photography, she enjoys researching other forms of art, teaching workshops, and spending time with her soulmate and loved ones. This is where she draws most of her inspiration from.

Sister Sun Sister Moon is a collaborative photographic series created with fellow artists Adriana Rodriguez and Francesca Rompal, exploring ritual, embodiment, and the reclamation of ancient energies within a contemporary world shaped by constant motion and technology. Set within an expansive desert landscape, the work unfolds as a visual ceremony; one that traces humanity’s innate desire to reconnect with nature, intuition, and the self.

Through intentional movement, flowing fabrics, and shifting color palettes, the figures enact stages of reconnection and transformation. These elements reference cycles of light and darkness, presence and release, and echo the symbolic balance of the sun and moon themselves. The triptych format reinforces this sense of rhythm and continuity, allowing each image to function as both an individual moment and part of a larger ritual narrative.

This series is not a rejection of human progress or technological advancement, but rather an invitation to remember what has always existed alongside that. Sister Sun Sister Moon reflects on what makes us uniquely human: our capacity to heal, to find meaning, and to draw inner power from the natural world as well as from one another. In moments of stillness, play, and embodied ritual, the work proposes reconnection as an act of resistance rooted in presence, simplicity, and shared experience.

Emily Hillsinger

Jake Kraus




“Self Portrait”






“Austin”






“Gavin”






“Larry”






“Michael”






“Luke”



Statement

Fragments of Shadow began as a quiet question—one I have carried since childhood: What do fathers leave behind in us, and what grows in the spaces they never reached?

As a father, and as a son still learning to navigate love, distance, and the echoes between them, I found myself drawn to the moments where memory unsettles us. The men in these portraits offered their stories freely glimpses of pride, fear, tenderness, and disappointment. Their words lingered long after the interviews ended, like light trembling in the edge of a shadow.

Photographed on 4×5 film, each portrait is an act of stillness. The slow, deliberate pace of the large format camera leaves no room for performance; only presence remains. High contrast light cuts into the frame, revealing the duality each father carries—what was given to them, and what they hope not to pass on.

The prints are made by hand in my home darkroom, where the images emerge slowly in the tray, as if surfacing from memory itself. From our conversations, I gather fragments of a sentence, a confession, a memory spoken softly. These will be placed onto the prints like lingering fingerprints. Words become remnants: evidence of joy, fear, inheritance, and the quiet vows fathers make in the dark.

This body of work is not a portrait of fathers as heroes, nor as ghosts, but as men split between light and shadow between what they carry and what they hope their children never will. Fragments of Shadow is my attempt to hold both: the pieces that shape us, the pieces we choose to let go, and the pieces that continue to follow.

Corissa Leeds




all that passes through






Best By…






Sold As Is



Statement

Corissa Leeds is a Ventura County-based painter whose work draws from a long-standing fascination with the relationship between the body and the environments that shape it. She is currently pursuing her MFA at California State University, Northridge, where her practice has expanded from figurative work into more exploratory, landscape-driven forms. Her approach is rooted in close observation, chiaroscuro traditions, and an interest in how nature can reflect emotional or psychological states. Corissa’s work has been included in juried exhibitions throughout the greater Los Angeles area–including at the City of Santa Clarita City Hall, Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, Peggy Phelps Gallery in Claremont, Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo, and California State University, Northridge’s University Art Galleries–and she continues to investigate how painting can open alternate ways of seeing place, embodiment, and freedom.

Nicole Lewis




The Dragon and Saint George






The Merrow



Statement

Nicole Lewis is a young, burgeoning artist who has embedded herself in the world of the fantastical in order to make sense of the one we live in now. Born and raised in Southern California, she spent her childhood years exploring the many different artistic ways of expressing herself through storytelling. After graduating from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts with an emphasis on drawing, she has had her illustrations published in the novel, “A Choice Within” and works as an educator for a non-profit organization, Art Trek, between projects. In the classes she runs, Lewis works closely with young students to help them explore and tell their own stories with art. With the aspirations of illustrating children’s books and creating her own graphic novels, she’s currently building an illustration-based portfolio that focuses on blending traditional and digital art.

Ellie McLoud




Lassen Peak






Spanish Sea Shawl



Vash Nahabedian




The Shrine






Atlas



Danae Olivares




Woman






Eternal Piece



Gianna Pirone

Janely Quijas




Goats path






Reunir a Nuestras Familias






Don’t bite the hands that feed you



José Ramirez Velasco




Resistencia






Bukin’



Statement

Jose Ramirez is a photographer and fine artist based in Oxnard, California. He developed his artistic practice at a young age and has since refined his voice through formal education and lived experience. Working primarily with photography and mixed media, Ramirez explores themes of culture, identity, and collective memory, often drawing inspiration from his surroundings and personal documentation. His work is influenced by music, movement, and moments of social significance, allowing him to create visually powerful and emotionally grounded pieces. Ramirez continues to evolve his practice, using art as a tool for storytelling and representation.

Elizabeth Rosales




Hugs n Kisses






Down and out of time



Statement

Liz Rosales is a multidisciplinary artist born in Oxnard, California, and raised in Ojai, where she currently lives. She is in her fourth year at California State University Channel Islands, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Sociology. Her practice is deeply informed by her personal experiences and cultural background, with a strong commitment to portraiture across multiple mediums. Rosales’ artistic foundation is rooted in figurative drawing, developed from an early age and refined through years of close observation of people and her surroundings. This attentiveness to human expression, form, and detail continues to shape her work today, extending into painting, ceramics, and performance-based practices. Portraiture remains central to her practice, serving as both a visual language and a means of emotional expression. In the past year, Rosales has expanded her practice into ceramics, becoming especially drawn to experimental firing techniques which result in unreplicable outcomes. She approaches clay as an ever-evolving process, one that embraces unpredictability, transformation, and discovery. Her ceramic works often blur the line between function and sculpture, reflecting her interest in both utility and ornamentation.

Alongside her visual art practice, Rosales is also a lively musician and performs in an all-girl rock band, remaining actively engaged in her local creative community. Whether through visual art, music, or performance, her work seeks to reflect her identity, honor her influences, and uplift the voices and stories within her community.

Nirvana sarko

Ekaterina Taganova

2026 Thomas and Patricia Dodds Award for Excellence Winner




Dark coral






Seafoam






Sea sponge






Alien mashrooms






Swirl



Statement

Working with clay gives me physical pleasure. My early foray into the world of ceramics was an attempt to make traditional Russian whistles from local clay. I got hooked; I mastered hand building and a potter’s wheel, learned – and continue learning – about different glazes and firing techniques. My work is driven by the clay. I prefer stoneware but also like low-fire terracotta. A connection between ceramics and the place of its origin is important to me. Playing with shapes and textures excite me more than intricate glazing. I prefer matte glazes and high fire.

I was born and grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia; I still feel a strong connection to my city of birth. But for many years I have been living in California and fell in love with it. When I first came here, I was particularly interested in the culture of the indigenous peoples and the preColumbian art. At the same time I am excited about traditional Japanese and modern American ceramics. These seemingly disparate interests help me find the balance between traditional artisanal pottery and modern art. To me, ceramics is a perfect medium where my artistic ideas, experience, skills and manual labor fuse together.

Faith Tsai

Cora Tunnell

2026 Thomas and Patricia Dodds Award for Excellence Runner-up




Sanctification






Take my Hand






Hope



Statement

Cora Tunnell is a multidisciplinary artist working with clay, hand-preserved flowers, acrylic, oil paint, and resin to create surreal works rooted in the natural world. Drawing from real organic elements, her practice explores emotional and spiritual themes, often interwoven with subtle biblical references. Tunnell’s work exists at the intersection of the tangible and the symbolic, transforming familiar materials into contemplative forms that invite reflection and introspection.

A self-taught artist currently pursuing a college degree in art, Tunnell has participated in collaborative projects including murals and immersive walkthrough installations at institutional venues, as well as commissioned work for businesses. Her practice is guided by an ongoing dialogue between faith, emotion, and the natural world, inviting viewers to pause and engage with the unseen connections beneath the surface.

Esmeralda Velasquez




La Cuidadora






On The Edge



Statement

My body of work combines painting and drawing to explore the themes of culture, relationships, and identity. I explore these themes through a variety of painting techniques and drawing. Some of my series are dedicated to exploring my hispanic roots. The works are usually large scale, colorful, clean, smooth and calm. The style sometimes borderlines illustrative and realistic qualities on different surfaces such as canvas and wood. Research and photography are parts that go into my painting process. The art depicts people of all ages and in moments of memory. By displaying family and friends I am showing my culture and experiences around me. The work becomes very personal. Oxnard is a place where my most recent paintings are rooted in. As I have started teaching in Oxnard’s colonia area I am exposed to the heart of hispanic people and
their stories. While other paintings are more expressive on the personalities of the individual and their circumstances. I have always been drawn to paintings that look like dreams. I like to
include some narratives into some of the paintings so they can be read as a story.

Biography

Esmeralda Velasquez is an emerging artist based in Ojai, California, working primarily in painting and drawing. Her work explores themes of culture, relationships, and identity, often drawing from her Hispanic roots and personal experiences. Velasquez creates large-scale, colorful works that balance smooth, structured compositions with illustrative and realistic elements, working on surfaces such as canvas and wood. The artist is a first-generation Hispanic. The artist refers to herself as Hispanic because she is half Mexican and half Guatemalan. Her goal is to blend her cultural background with her art practice by depicting still lives. This is emphasized by the saturated use of color. The artist uses color because of its strong connotations with emotions and the response color produces when placed in public places. This interest derives from the use of bright colors common in Guatemalan artisan shops. Research and photography are integral to her process, informing paintings that depict people of all ages captured in moments of memory. Many of her recent works are rooted in Oxnard, California, where her experience teaching in the colonia area has deepened her connection to the stories and lives of the surrounding community. Velasquez studied Art Practice at the University of California, Berkeley, earning her degree with a minor in Art History. Most recently her work has been exhibited in group exhibitions including the Latino Heritage Art Exhibition (Ventura County Hall of Administration), Exploring Domestic Spaces (Newhall Community Center), and A Night of New Beginnings Gala presented by Thera Picasso.