Point Broadcasting presents, A Garden Affair for the Love of Art, Focus on the Masters (FOTM) Arts Archive & Library, benefit for the arts education on Saturday, September 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Ventura Botanical Gardens, 567 Poli St., Ventura. All proceeds benefit FOTM’s award-winning arts education programs including the Learning To See Outreach, a sequential in-school and community outreach art program for at-risk youth and Title 1 schools and the long-awaited return of the popular Artist Spotlight Interviews.
“Our annual gathering is always so much fun!” exclaims Founder and Executive Director Donna Granata. “For the Love of Art is celebration all of the extraordinary artists, volunteers, patrons, community partners, board members and staff who have played an important role in developing and preserving our rare resource library and archive.”
Everyone will enjoy the great comradery, delicious food, music, raffle items, silent auction, and fun activities all For the Love of Art in support of FOTM’s community outreach.
FOTM has served the community for over thirty years through their educational arts programming. Since that time, their Learning To See program has brought compelling lessons to over 280,000 students throughout Ventura County. The integrative lessons are inspired by the artwork and life stories of extraordinary FOTM documented artists.
Program director Aimee French explains, “The local artists featured in every Learning To See lesson serve as strong role models. Students learn that every artist has their own story and that they persevere in pursuit of their passions. As our students dive into each hands-on lesson, they gain confidence in their own and others’ unique expression.”
“The arts must be incorporated into our daily lives – now more than ever.” Comments, FOTM Founder, Donna Granata. “Art builds empathy and understanding of our fellow human beings. No two artistic expressions are alike – just as no two human beings are alike.”
The FOTM Archive & Library houses a rare collection of resource materials chronicling our cultural community including over 2,500 hours of oral histories, videotaped interviews, a digital library of the artists’ work, publications, and ephemera. FOTM’s resources are available to the museum community, scholars, historians, and the media. Library services are available by appointment only.
