SANTA PAULA, CA – Next Generation, a refreshingly contemporary show of art works by local students from Brooks Institute, Cal Arts, Cal Lutheran, Cal State Channel Islands and Ventura College will open at the Santa Paula Art Museum on Saturday, July 14, 2012 with a premiere party from 4 to 6 p.m. Admission to the exhibit premiere is $10.00 for Museum Members and $15.00 for non-members. Students of all ages may attend free.

Next Generation, inspired in part by the Museum’s current Carlisle Cooper Retrospective on exhibit in the main gallery, highlights the significance of the collaboration between artist and teacher. Carlisle Cooper, an art instructor at Ventura College for almost fifty years, is a perfect example of the profound influence a teacher can have on their artist student. The students featured in Next Generation were specially selected by their own teachers for their emerging talents and unique perspectives on art.

The student show features fifty pieces of art in a variety of two and three-dimensional mediums. The works are bold and thought-provoking as they explore a variety of themes including human connection, mythology, science and music. Each artwork will be accompanied by a narrative written by both teacher and student describing how each has been inspired by the other.

The exhibit will run through October 21, 2012 and may be viewed during regular Museum hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, 12 to 4 p.m. The Museum is located at 117 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060. More information is available by calling the Museum at (805) 525-5554, or email info@santapaulaartmuseum.org