County Staff to Be Honored as Artists : Countywide

Twenty Ventura County government employees will receive awards this month from the Board of Supervisors, but the recognition will be for their work as amateur artists rather than their job performance.

The employees, who live in cities throughout the county, are the recipients of the 1992 Employee Art Exhibit awards sponsored by the county’s Recreation Services department.

Supervisors will present the awards Jan. 12. The winning sculptures, photographs and other artworks will be on display at the County Government Center from that date through Jan. 28.

In addition to sculpture and photography, the contest had categories for oil or acrylic painting, watercolor, drawing and mixed media.

Top honors, called the Best of Show Award, will go to Gerald Natal, a Port Hueneme resident, for his drawing “Ida Mae.”

Ojai artist Gayel Childress, who judged the show, said Natal’s colorful drawing impressed her because of its lines, composition and sense of spontaneity.

Childress also said she was struck by the quality of the photography in the exhibit.

“The photography section was just outstanding,” she said.

“We should support not only the professionals, but the amateurs and up-and-coming artists,” Childress said. “It’s like supporting the creative spirit.”