The Santa Paula Art Museum’s upcoming exhibition, “Local Clay,” pairs two of Ventura County’s most unconventional female sculptors, Marianne McGrath and Cheryl Ann Thomas. Both women are local artists working predominantly in clay, but in very distinct ways. McGrath, an assistant professor of art at California State University Channel Islands, juxtaposes the earthen medium of clay with industrial materials like reclaimed wood to create works that speak of rural landscapes lost to suburban sprawl. Thomas, who began her ceramic practice at age 60 in her garage with a small kiln, embraces the nature of accident and allows her clay to collapse and create chance forms during firing. The dual exhibition opens with a premiere party on Saturday, July 14, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission to the premiere is $10.00 for museum members and $15.00 for non-members. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

IMAGE CREDIT: (Left) Detail of "Home Study - Inside Out" by Marianne McGrath, 2018, porcelain, reclaimed wood, steel, pine, string, steel, Collection of the artist © Marianne McGrath; (Right) "Spun" by Cheryl Ann Thomas, 2015, colored porcelain, Collection of the artist © Cheryl Ann Thomas.