Expose yourself to photography as art, when the seaside town of Ventura hosts dozens of photography-themed events. Galleries will coordinate their exhibits and events to show fine art photography, photo-art, and multimedia projects in October/November 2009.

PhotoVentura 2009 is taking over the Ventura cultural scene with dozens of photo-themed exhibits and events. The PhotoVentura Gallery Crawl, Saturday October 10th, 2009 should prove to be a snapshot of success!

PhotoVentura is the brainchild of Buenaventura Gallery past-president and longtime Ventura professional photographer Stephen "Schaf" Schafer. His concept brings together all the photographers and artists in the Ventura area and has them coordinate their events, slideshows, workshops, and exhibits into the weeks during October and November 2009. "The art scene is really thriving here," says Schaf, "after the success of PhotoVentura 2005 and 2007, people just kept asking me, when's the next Photoventura?" With the City of Ventura promoting itself as California's New Art City, art programming has been multiplying in the Downtown Cultural District.  The city has managed to use art as a catalyst in the downtown, exciting locals, tourists, merchants, and artists with the New Art City Concept.

The Buenaventura Gallery, the oldest arts organization in the city of Ventura, has continuously supported its member artists since it was founded in 1955. Back then gallery members didn't even consider photography an art-form worthy of exhibition, but now photographers make up a large percentage of the gallery members. Another thing that's changed in Ventura is that 50 years ago there was no "arts scene", and no other galleries to partner with for an event. Now there's a gallery on every block. A photo-themed event was an obvious next step because of the phenomenal photographic talent in the area. "With the Brooks Institute of Photography campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, and the fabulous photo program at Ventura College, art photography is everywhere. People who come to this area to learn photography never want to leave - would you"? Schaf laughs, "So it was really just a matter of picking a date, letting all the photographers know about the theme, and getting out of the way."

The premier event for PhotoVentura 2000 will be the Gallery Crawl of coordinated receptions on Saturday, October 10 from about 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Participating artists will have receptions with maps and schedules created to bring patrons, and photography lovers out for the evening. Additional events will be scheduled during PhotoVentura and be announced soon. The PhotoVentura concept of encouraging photographers and artists to exhibit and produce photo events simultaneously in the city of Ventura, has brought together over 100 artists, at more than 20 venues.

While some exhibits will feature traditional black and white landscapes, and color portraits, other exhibits will be more edgy. "Kidz Snap!" (cosponsored by the San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts) will exhibit the work of child photo artists, when the Buenaventura Art Association partners with professional photographers and Ventura's youth to create legions of kids armed with disposable cameras, all looking for the prefect shot. Kidz Snap is one of the San Buenaventura Foundation for the Arts' "Arts Explosion Events" for 2009.

The Photo Ventura 2009 event is sponsored by the Buenaventura Art Association.

For information about visiting the city of Ventura, or accommodations, contact the Ventura Visitors Bureau at 1-800-483-6213.