“Annual Harvest” by Dolas Tubbs, acrylic collage on paper, 16” x 20”, Collection of the artist.

“Morning Shadows, San Miguel” by Bruce Everett, oil on canvas, 34” x 60”, Collection of the artist.

“Farmworkers Loading Pears” by Michael Torres, watercolor on paper, 16” x 20”, Collection of the artist.

“Piru View” by James Martin, oil on linen, 8” x 10”, Collection of the artist.

“Quitting Time” by George Lockwood, acrylic on board, 16.5” x 19.5”, Collection of the artist.

SANTA PAULA, CA – With over 75 works of art by 50 different artists to choose from, the task of judging this year’s Sixth Annual Art About Agriculture exhibit proved to be a great challenge. The agriculturally-themed works, which are on display at both the Santa Paula Art Museum and Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum, were considered for five different honors and $500.00 in prizes. Judging this year’s crop of contenders were John Nichols and Gail Pidduck, esteemed artists and curators of the annual show.

The judges awarded the Perspective in Agriculture Award to James Martin’s “Piru View”. “We admired Martin’s ability to transform a mundane packinghouse into something meaningful and exciting simply by his choice of angle and perspective”, explained Nichols. The quality of light in George Lockwood’s “Quitting Time”, which depicts an old barn at sunset, was so moving that it was awarded the Structure in Agriculture Award. Honors were also given to Dolas Tubbs’ “Annual Harvest” for Abstraction in Agriculture, and to Bruce Everett’s “Morning Shadows, San Miguel” in the Wide Open Category. Michael Torres’ “Farmworkers Loading Pears” was found most deserving of the Honoring Agricultural Labor Award.

Art About Agriculture runs through February 9, 2014 at both museums, so don’t miss your chance to see the award-winning works. The Santa Paula Art Museum is located at 117 North 10th Street in Santa Paula. The Museum’s regular hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 AM – 4 PM, and Sundays, 12 PM – 4 PM. Admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and free for students and SPAM Members. For more information, contact the Art Museum at (805) 525-5554, or email info@santapaulaartmuseum.org. The Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM – 4 PM. For more information about the Agriculture Museum, please call (805) 525-3100.