ArtsLIVE in Ventura County

Op-Ed / Essay Submitted by Mary Schwabauer

Art  … invites

A two-headed calf may have influenced the arts in Ventura County more than anyone can say.
This unique acquisition of the Museum of Ventura County certainly enhanced the youthful imagination of my siblings and me when our dad, Paul Leavens, took us to view the collection, which then was in the old County Court House, now Ventura City Hall. 

The museum collection at that time was primarily the “paid-for-service” pieces received by Dr. Cephas Bard in his early days of medical practice. There were few art pieces per se but the plethora of various items deemed valuable enough to have compensated for services rendered clearly defined the values of our early residents. Whether the two-headed calf was one of these or not, it definitely made up for other voids by providing a curiosity attraction not only for its individual uniqueness but by creating an awareness of the “wonders of nature” with all its eccentricities and beauty. It certainly enhanced our youthful imaginations and knowledge, the better to appreciate the place in which we lived.        

The musical arts played large roles in every community. All schools had music of some kind, both instrumental and vocal. In Santa Paula, many determined community mothers had the opportunity for their children to learn the art of reading and playing classical music from Mr. Evans and Mr. Wagner. It can only be surmised whether this encouraged or discouraged future appreciation for the three B’s and their contemporaries. What cannot be denied, however, was this initial cornerstone of listening, discussing and playing that unequivocally helped to develop the lifelong learning and appreciation for music. This carryover into adulthood undoubtedly contributed to the dedication and interest in participating and supporting performing groups of all kinds and talents.

In one last reminiscence, one cannot forget the insightful efforts during the Depression in Santa Paula that brought new attention to the young artists of the county. Some were family friends: Douglas Shively, Robert Clunie, both Cornelis and Jessie Arms Botke to name a few. 

When the annual Art Festival began it became a family “must,” from its inception, to attend each event. The inauspicious beginning of the first Community Art Show in 1936, sponsored by the Santa Paula Chamber of. Commerce that started in the middle of the Depression, when sales were limited and public visibility virtually unknown, has truly borne fruit through the ages. Even though money was scarce, organizers gave prizes and, thus, supported starving artists and, at the same time, accumulated the winning art pieces. This is the origin of what is now a multimillion dollar community art collection, one of the few of its stature and size in the country. And, with the community support Santa Paula is known for, this wonderful collection will have a new home in another work of art, the former Limoneira headquarters building on North Mill Street in downtown Santa Paula.  

To say that the past years have provided wonderful experiences for appreciation and participation in the arts would be an understatement. And, because we have had this current opportunity provided by the ArtsLIVE grant, we are enjoying the “giving while we are receiving”!  It is hoped that every community will see fit to encourage and display the works of local artists in all areas as they develop varied skills that will continue to make us all personal advocates for all the arts. Our sincere thanks to the Irvine Foundation for giving this generous opportunity to Ventura County Community Foundation to make all of us more aware and appreciative of all the ARTS  in Ventura County. We are truly fortunate in the scope and variety shared with us.

Mary Schwabauer, of Moorpark, is a member of the ArtsLIVE Advisory Council of the Ventura County Community Foundation.  This Op-Ed is one of a series celebrating the arts and their impact on leaders in Ventura County.

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