Visual Arts Exhibit
The Visual Arts Exhibit in the Clark Center Lobby offers patrons the opportunity to experience the work of regional artists in rotating exhibits throughout the year.
The exhibit is available for viewing at scheduled performances and during regular Box Office hours Tue-Fri 1-6 and Sat 10-4.
Calling All Artists: Showcase your work in the Clark Center Visual Arts Exhibit
We are now accepting applications from fine artists who are interested in displaying their work!
Our lobby is filled with art from local artists year round! Mixed media such as oil, watercolor, pastels, pen and ink, sketching, etc. are encouraged, as well as sculptures and photography.
Artists are not charged any fee to exhibit. Artists may choose to offer artwork for sale and may also choose to contribute 20% of sales to support the Clark Center Arts Education and Scholarship programs.
Art pieces are juried for content acceptability and 10 artists will be selected to display their work for two consecutive months.
Applications for exhibition during 2026 are now open. Application deadline is November 1, 2025 to be reviewed in December 2025.
Current Artists
Elizabeth Chaney & Jim Trask
11/1/2025 - 12/31/2025
Artists' Reception
Sunday, November 16 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Clark Center Lobby
Free Event - No Ticket Required
I'm a visual story maker. I love color and texture-that is how I express myself in my work. The backstory and history of a subject are what inspires me to paint. Constantly experimenting with different mediums allows me to keep my work fresh and interesting.
I do enjoy painting different subjects — whether it be a portrait or an abstract landscape, everything exudes a multitude of experiences and stories and I want to capture them. It's that personal connection that I want to exude in my work.
I often paint detailed portraits which I love to work on, often skewing the colors to create a different effect, but keeping the light, medium and dark values to represent shape and form. Usually after I paint something super detailed, I often paint a loose abstract that is pure expression.
I live in a beautiful region in Central California along the coast. I am surrounded by beautiful undeveloped land that is pastureal and vast- with rolling hills peppered with oak trees and vineyards. A perfect environment to inspire me.
Here is my story...
In 1983, I had the great fortune of moving to Paris for 2 years That was a huge turning point for me. Returning to the states, I began painting and showing in various galleries in Northern California.
In 1992, I moved to Pasadena to attend the acclaimed Art School, Art Center College of Design. During this time, I was classically trained in Illustration and graduated with honors from Art Center College of Design in 1996. I went on to have a fruitful career as a digital designer/Art Director for many years, working for Knowledge Kids Network, Disney Interactive, Leaf Frog, Jakks PaciVic,- working on Toy Design, Dakim- a start up developing Brain games for people with cognitive impairment, TBI and people interested in exercising their brain.
I freelanced for many years working in Decorative Arts, Web Development, Product Development, textile design, etc.
My last corporate job was for Universal Sports Network working as an in-house Art Director in the advertising department.
I relocated to Orange County in 2015, I chose to focus solely on my career as a Vine artist after a long hiatus. Life is good. In 2018, I moved to the Central Coast of California, which has a wealth of beauty to inspire me. I have been active in gallery showings and art events and always looking for opportunities.
Why I paint pictures and build Public Art pieces:
I was born in San Francisco during the war, October 1942. As a child I remember my folks talking of covering the windows at night to “blackout” the city, to thwart potential air attacks, which never happened of course.
From San Francisco to Redwood City and Los Altos, and then to the San Joaquin Valley all in six years.Mom & Dad decided to flee the traffic and raise 3 boys on a 40 acre farm in the San Joaquin Valley. I was six then and had received some very important art encouragement in grammar school.
On the farm I worked along side my dad and two brothers repairing equipment, growing and shipping crops, irrigating, and raising animals as 4-H projects.
I joined the Navy in 1962 working as an illustrator draftsman for 3 years after which, with portfolio in hand, I applied to Art Center College of Design, Luckily I got accepted. The work esthetic, art/design environment was more to my liking. After two summer internships with architectural firms I realized that I was a farm boy and needed a job outdoors.
Soon after graduating a chance meeting and mentorship with a retiring Fire Captain from L.A.F.D.turned me in a different direction. I studied fire science at Santa Monica city college and then went looking for a “real job” as stated by my mentor Captain Garlock. Long story short, I had a 23 year career with Santa Barbara County Fire Department. And it was outside work for the most part and very gratifying. The best job I ever had.
After retirement in 1998 I successfully completed six public art pieces for the Port Authority of San Diego, and the Railroad Museum in San Luis Obispo. I have designed two homes and aided in the construction for my family.
My painting generally reflects agrarian and equipment subjects reflecting the influence of my earlier life.
So out of all my experiences growing up I attribute (1) my farm life, (2) art school, (3) military service, (4) and fire service as the reasons for focusing on ART in my retirement. ART is still the one thread throughout my life that keeps calling for attention. Thankfully, I can oblige.
