3 Youths Take Top Honors at Art Show

Three Ventura County children have been honored as winners of a regional art show sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club.

Christian Shull of Ojai, and Crystal Jack and Leonardo Martinez, both of Ventura, earned first place last week in their respective age groups in the sculpture category.

Christian won in the 9 and under category for his sculpture titled “Here’s Looking at You, Ducky,” said Pat Borison, a club spokeswoman. Crystal came out on top in the 10-12 age group for her “Fancy Flower” sculpture, and Leonardo placed first in the 13-15 division for his work titled “Breakfast a la Leonardo.”

Their work will be among 36 entries to be sent on to the Boys & Girls Club national headquarters in Atlanta for a national competition next month.

More than 700 pieces of art by Boys & Girls Club members from nine Western states were submitted for the exhibit. Judging took place Wednesday at the Boys & Girls Club on Johnson Drive in Ventura.

The winners’ sculptures, plus works submitted by members of Boys & Girls clubs in Camarillo, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Moorpark and Ventura, will be included in an exhibit set to start this week.

The exhibit will be open Thursday to March 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive. Boys & Girls Club officials hold the competition each year to encourage members to develop artistic talents, Borison said.

Local clubs conduct year-round art classes, crafts demonstrations and special arts activities, she said.