In the exhibition, With the Grain: Catherine Day Barroca, many venues have had displays of Day Barroca's newest and previous artworks, large carved and painted panels she calls "bas-relief paintings," along with a selection of the artist's earlier works on paper. All of the pieces confirm the artist's enduring interest in storytelling and convey ideas shaped by her multicultural background.

At present, Day-Barroca's are will continue to be displayed at Fine Fox Jewelry through May 10, 2010. The bas-reliefs, created in the last few years, document a new direction in her work, a direction she describes as shifting the borders. In these pieces, Day Barroca combines techniques of painting and printmaking, mixing the processes to express her unique, personal reflections.

Currently teaching painting and printmaking at Ventura College, and raising her daughter with husband, Jeff Barroca, Cathy brings to her work a remarkably wide frame of reference for someone not yet forty. Her family background, years spent abroad and around the United States, and excellent education shaped her creative personality, broadened her intellectual horizons, and gave her the roots from which her ideas have grown.

Cathy spent her first six years in Panama, where she was the fourth of five children born to an Irish American father and a Panamanian mother. Spanish and English were spoken at home, and she speaks both with her family and friends today. Cathy first learned to love storytelling listening to her abuelo (grandfather) relay tales of Don Quixote.

Oxnard, California was home when the Day family came to the U.S. from Panama. Here, Cathy enthusiastically pursued her first body of work: painted rocks. Of the many she gave as birthday presents, her father's remained on his work desk for twenty-five years. She imagined her teaching career at around the same time, attending 4th grade career day at Santa Clara Elementary with an apple as her costume.

After three years in Heidelberg, Germany, where Cathy completed high school, the Days returned to the states. Cathy enrolled at Ventura College, choosing studio art classes taught by Hiroko Yoshimoto, Gerd Koch and Richard Peterson. Gerd noticed Cathy's collaborative work approach and suggested that she consider teaching art; Richard inspired her to spend hours experimenting in the print studio.

The fairgrounds, originally deeded to the city of San Buenaventura by H.P. Foster in the 1800s, was then quit-claimed to the state back in the early part of the last century, taking it out of local control forever.

The first county fair was held in 1874 just about a year after the County of Ventura was formed. They had music by the Ventura Brass Band, and bullfights, which were held in a large ring at Figueroa and Santa Clara streets; they even had cockfights, horse races, and very Grand Evening Balls. Mr. Royce Surdam is credited with much of the success of the first fair; he made many contributions that really shaped all of Ventura County.

One of Surdan's endeavors was the Ventura Trotting Park then a one-mile long racetrack, which was placed just below the Pierpont Bluffs. This Trotting Park was considered an extension of the Fairgrounds. The first fair was such a success that plans for the following fair were soon taking place. It was decided to add Livestock and Agricultural exhibits, and the grounds were fenced and a general admission of 50 cents was charged. Prizes were given for the prettiest Maid, the most Handsome Gentleman, and ever for the most attractive suckling colt.

Nightly Grand Balls were held at Spears Hall located at the corner of Main and Palm Street. In 1877, the fair was deemed a "County Agricultural Fair" Mr. Surdam was the president of the Association. Shortly after 1890 the Ventura Free Press proclaimed, "too high a valuation cannot be placed upon an organization of this character."

In 1981 the fair was moved from Ventura to Hueneme - a move that was not surprising to many because most of the men who signed the original incorporation papers represented east county families such as the Maulhardt's and Saviers. Thomas Bard was largely responsible for the move to Hueneme; because, he had built his home in Hueneme. In 1909 Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Foster donated 62 acres of beachfront property to the county for the purpose of creating a public recreational park. This park was soon christened "Ventura County Seaside Park". By 1911, plans were made to reintroduce the county fair to Ventura. In 1912 Mr. E. P. Foster and over 75 businessmen and livestock owners created an organization to hold the first events at Seaside Park - an event that happened on May 1, 1913.

In 1930 the movie "The Crowd Roars" was filmed at the fairgrounds and students were let go early from school to fill up the grandstands. Music performed at the event was conducted by none other than John Phillips Sousa a champion of toe-tapping marching music. On April 16, 1946, the park was quitclaimed to the State of California and has since been the official Ventura County Fairgrounds.

If you want to read an in-depth story of the history of the Ventura County Fairgrounds visit the Ventura County Museum of History and Art in their temporary headquarters next to the Bella Margorie Hotel on California and Santa Clara and purchase a copy of the Museum's publication "The Journal" ask for the Fairgrounds issue.

Rellis Smith
rellis39@sbcglobal.net
www.californiachile.com

Posted: 05-01-10