Aug 4, 20182 min read

Little Britain at the Vita Art Center

Richard Kraft, 100 Walkers, studies 1-3 in Little Britain at Vita Art Center. Photo credit: Patrick Quinn.

Little Britain at The Vita Art Center

July 6 thru July 28, 2018

By Patrick Quinn

Los Angeles has arguably the largest art scene in the country. It’s a vast creative community that stretches as far south as San Pedro, Fullerton, and Santa Ana. There are thriving artist districts to the east in Idylwild and Joshua Tree and that spirit extends west up along the coast into Ojai and Ventura.

One of the key venues in Ventura is the Vita Art Center. Along with classrooms and studio spaces, there is an art gallery which has regular monthly shows. Currently on display is “Little Britain” which features the works of 16 British artists living in California.

The show has a well-chosen variety of styles with a few unexpected touches. None more surprising then a new work donated by long-time Los Angeles resident, David Hockney. The other artists featured in the show include Derek Boshier, David Eddington, Patricia Gonzalez, Colin Fraser Gray, Jeremy Kidd, Richard Kraft, Graham Moore, Trevor Norris, Rhea Oneill, Max Presneill, James Scott, Dave Smith, Catherine Tirr, Philip Vaughan, Eleanor Wood.

Established in 2007, the Vita Arts Center was originally part of the Bell Art Factory. They recently secured this current location which opened its doors to the public last June. “Little Britain” is only the second show in the new gallery. With the inclusion of the Hockney piece, the gallery has garnered a fair amount of attention.

An unusual feature of the center is Cabadagray, a mini-gallery run by artists Collin Gray and Rafael Perea.

The gallery also features guest artists and even offers a self-serve wine station. Artist Karl Swanson also has a studio. The entire complex is open during Ventura’s monthly First Friday art walk.

“Little Britain” is no longer open, but the Vita Art Center is always worth a visit.