Ventura County Museum of History and Art
Ventura, CA
photo: John Hazeltine
805-653-0323
Recollections: The Art of Douglas Shively (1896-1991)
The Ventura County Museum of History & Art announces the opening
of an exhibit featuring the art and life of Santa Paula artist Douglas M.
Shively; the exhibit will continue in the Museum's Hoffman Gallery until
February 20, 2000.
(left: Douglas
Shively, 1940)
The art of Douglas Shively is well known among local art collectors. He is often referred to as "Mr. Sycamore," after the graceful trees that occupy many of his landscapes, but the subjects of his paintings also include many recognizable Ventura County vistas, the beautiful terrain typical of California's many regions, and scenes from his extensive world travels. This exhibit will feature a sampling of the best of all of these, as well as examples from his sketchbooks and photography. (right: Sycamores, Oaks and Sumac, oil on board, Collection of Dick and Marcia Fausset)
Shively
was an accomplished artist, but also a dedicated citizen within his community.
As president of Citizens State Bank, which was founded by his father, he
was a fixture 
in
Santa Paula's civic affairs. His friendship with prestigious painters in
California helped give rise to Santa Paula's long-running art show. (left:
Untitled (Fifth Lake), n.d., 1940s. oil on board, Collection of Dr.
and Mrs. John Shilton; right: Untitled, 1973, oil on board, Collection
of William L. Orcutt)
Shively convinced the town to sponsor a yearly art competition,
and then rallied his art friends to enter the competition, creating an opportunity
for the citizens of Santa 
Paula to enjoy local art of the highest caliber. On
his advice the city also offered a "purchase prize," by which
the city assembled one of the most impressive collections of civic art in
the state. (left: From Pointa del Sol Road, 1981, oil on board, Collection
of Helen K. Pidduck)
rev. 12/18/99
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Read more about the Ventura County Museum of History and Art in Resource Library Magazine
rev. 11/26/10
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