Camarillo, Calif., Sept. 10, 2009 – The Art Program at CSU Channel Islands (CI) has announced the opening of its next exhibition entitled ‘Locals Only’ at the new Ventura gallery location. The public is invited to an opening reception to be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17. The exhibition will continue through Sunday, Nov. 1. The art gallery is located at 21 California Street, on the ground floor of the historic Earle Stanley Gardner building on the corner of Main Street and California Street in the city of Ventura.

‘Locals Only’ will feature artwork created by selected artists of accomplishment and notoriety who live or maintain studios in the adjacent coastal cities of Ventura and Oxnard. Included in the exhibition are: Paul Benavidez, Lynn Creighton, MB Hanrahan, Carole Hilton, Gerd Koch, Steven Leslie, Paul Lindhard, Michael O’Kelly, Debra Mckillop, Christine Morla, Claudia Pardo, Michael Pedziwiatr, Julia Pinkham, Erik Reel, Helle Scharling-Todd, and Hiroko Yoshimoto. Artworks exhibited range in media including painting, sculpture, ceramic tile, and glass.

In addition to ‘Locals Only’ in the gallery’s north hall, featured artworks created by CI art students, alumni, and faculty will also be on exhibit upstairs and in the south hall portion of the grandiose exhibition space.

“This particular exhibition is our first attempt to reach out and acknowledge the impressive talents and noteworthy accomplishments of numerous local artists by inviting them to exhibit in this new University venue,” said Jack Reilly, Chair of the Art Program at CSU Channel Islands. The Art Program also thanks Mark and Kathy Hartley for their generous donation of the Ventura gallery space to the University’s Art Program.

Regular gallery hours: Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday 12 to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12 to 9 p.m. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

For additional information, contact the Art Program at CSU Channel Islands at 805-437-8570, e-mail art@csuci.edu or visit the Web site: www.art.csuci.edu/galleryventura.

For media inquiries contact Nancy Gill, Director of Communication & Marketing at CSU Channel Islands, 805-437-8456 or nancy.gill@csuci.edu.

CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CSUCI Mission Statement

Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.