News release
Thousand Oaks artist Harvey Cusworth is being featured in the solo exhibition, “Visions of Conejo Valley and the Malibu Coast,” at the Santa Paula Art Museum, Sept. 13 through Jan. 11.
The exhibit is scheduled to open with a premiere party 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. Admission to the premiere event is $5 for SPAM members and $10 for non-members. “Visions of Conejo Valley and the Malibu Coast” will be on view Sept. 13 to Jan. 11. All of the artworks will be available for purchase.
Cusworth is an award-winning artist recognized for his expressive oil paintings that explore the dynamic relationship between light, color, and form, according to a news release from the museum.
“Inspired by California’s distinctive natural light, his work captures both expansive landscapes, like the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific coastline, and also intimate urban scenes with a thoughtful, contemplative focus,” the release said.
Central to Cusworth’s artistic process is the observation of how light shapes and transforms his subjects. “The way light interacts with subject matter suggests patterns that guide my compositions,” he said in the release. “My goal is to use those patterns to create a strong visual impact and convey the essence of what I see.”
Cusworth has a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master of fine arts degree, with a painting and drawing emphasis, from California State University, Long Beach. Cusworth is an active member of several professional art organizations, including the California Art Club. He has received numerous accolades, such as Best of Show in multiple juried exhibitions and First Place in the California Art League’s “California Scene “show in 2023. He also earned Best of Show honors in the Foundation for Education of the Arts exhibition.
In addition to his artistic practice, Cusworth dedicated much of his career to arts education. He recently retired after two decades of teaching high school painting and drawing, where he led advanced placement studio art courses and instructed students in techniques ranging from oil and acrylic painting to watercolor and drawing.
The Santa Paula Art Museum occupies two historic buildings located at 117 N. 10th St. and 123 N. 10th St. in downtown Santa Paula. Regular museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Regular admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for kids, students, and SPAM members.
