Pat Richards Dodds’ exhibit, Safe Harbor will be at the Discovery Gallery from June 6 – July 2, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, June 6 from 5 – 7 pm during First Friday Ventura Gallery Crawl.
The incredible colors and patterns of the sky playing against the sea in New Zealand, Tasman Sea and Australian waters called a challenge to Dodds. The brilliance of the colors drove her to experiment with a new palette and different oil painting products – her “comfort zone” or Safe Harbor had changed. This exhibit reflects those changes as well as the journey to her new Safe Harbor.
Art has been a part of Dodds’ life since her youth. As a student at Santa Monica High School, Dodds had lessons in drawing, design, painting, ceramics, sculpture; nearly unheard of in today’s public schools. Dodds was awarded a scholarship to study life drawing at Chouinard Art Institute, and followed up as a Fine Art major at the University of Washington.
After a hiatus devoted to raising a family, Dodds found herself on the short list of artists asked to be resident artists at an art organization called Studio 83 back in 1986. During this time Pat’s work evolved through the input of prestigious artist that included Gerd Koch, Hiroko Yoshimoto and Mary Michel. Though the group disbanded several years later, the value of the artist community resonated with Dodds.
More than 15 years later, Dodds led the founding of a new art organization, committed to similar goals as the original Studio 83, but with plans for a much greater longevity. Studio Channel Islands Art Center provides more then 30 artists with a place to create, the continuing challenge that professional artist provide one another, and the chance to serve as the mentor that once served them.
After a 20 year career as an executive banking officer, Dodds retired in 2006 to resume her passion as a painter. She is an Artist in Residence at SCIART. Dodds was recently one of featured artist in the 10th Anniversary exhibit at Studio Channel Islands Art Center. She was named Artist In the Community Award for the 2007 Ventura County Arts Council’s Art Stars Awards.
Dodds has won numerous awards, including a scholarship to Chouinard Art Institute, the Theme Award at the Ventura County Fair, San Buenaventura Art Association, Thousand Oaks Art Association and SCIART Juried Members Competition. She won the Grand Prize and President’s Award in the 2007 SCIART Juried Members Show.
Her work is in the private collections of Mr. and Mrs. David Nirenberg, Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Dufau, Patricia McCormick, John and Susan Kulwiec, Ms. Cindy Schwan, Sharon Clark Orfalea, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Cummins as well as others.
Her exhibits include City National Bank, Ventura County National Bank, Affinity National Bank, Buenaventura Art Association, Ventura County Government Center, the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, The Ventura Artist Union, The Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, the 2006 and 2007 Camarillo Art & Jazz Festival, Studio Channel Islands Art Center and the Studio Gallery.
The Discovery Gallery is located at the Ventura Visitor’s Bureau, 101 S. California St in downtown Ventura. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call the Buenaventura Art Association at 805-648-1235 or visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.