Juror: Michele Depuy Leavitt

I have been interested in the arts since childhood and professionally involved from the age of 19 when I apprenticed to a private art dealer, buying and selling art at auctions, cataloging portfolios of fine art prints and assisting at presentations.  Once thinking I was to become an artist, I was given private art instruction then went on to take art classes at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, UCLA Extension and finally at UCLA where I graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Art.  There I studied with such stellar artists as Alexis Smith; Robert Heinecken; Laddie John Dill; William Brice and Elliot Elgart.

Not convinced I had what it takes to become a fine artist, I changed course and began my studies of art history and the business of art.  Upon graduation, I was offered the job of directing a gem of a gallery in Malibu owned by Barbara Goldman.  My professional life was launched with the acceptance of that job.

While at the Malibu gallery I organized exhibitions of artwork by such artists as Carlos Alamaraz, Billy Al Bengston, John Register, Rene Petropolous, Tom Wudl and group shows of small works by Ed Ruscha, Tony Berlant, Vija Celmins and Chuck Arnoldi.

I am happy to report that Barbara Goldman and I gave Carlos Almaraz his first one-person show of paintings in California.  The opportunity was a golden one but I was advised by Ulrike Kantor to move to Los Angeles if I wanted to be taken seriously as an art dealer / gallery owner.  Taking her advice I became the Director of the Janus Gallery, a cutting edge gallery on Melrose owned and operated by Jan Turner and Daniel Saxon.  This led to the chance of a lifetime, working with James Corcoran, and being hired as the Assistant Director of his gallery. 

As I once realized I was not to become a fine artist, I had another realization – the high stakes world of internationally renowned art galleries was not entirely for me.  I needed to balance that activity.  I went into education, teaching and course writing for the Art History department of UCLA Extension for over 15 years.  After going in and out of, what was for me, the nerve-wracking business of directing top notch galleries (including a short stint at Ace Contemporary on Wilshire Boulevard!), I took some time off to regroup. The new millennium brought a battle with cancer and the loss of my mother.  I wanted to change my life.  Through the kind words of Margaret Travers, the Executive Director of the Ventura County Arts Council, I found the world of non-profit art organizations.  Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo came knocking at my door and I answered.  I have been the Gallery Director there since 2004.

And, to my surprise, I have begun to make art again!  I most enjoy working with photography, a process that rekindles the sage lessons of Robert Heinecken and is reawakening a happier self.