Date Posted: 7/3/2007
When local artist Mary Christie entered an oil painting in the 1979 Ventura County Fair, she didn’t foresee her work reappearing almost 30 years later all around Ventura County. The painting, which features Mary’s grandparents at the fair, won the Directors' Choice award and was purchased by Fair Board President Alma L. Wood on behalf of the Board of Director’s of the 31st District Agriculture Association. The painting’s vivid colors and characters illustrate what the fair is all about: fun for all. Today, the painting is featured on the poster for the 2007 fair, “An Old Fashioned Fair.”
Many visitors to the Fairgrounds Office have admired the painting for its charming characters who can be seen resting their legs at the fun-filled fair. Including a Ferris Wheel, bright booths, and a wide array of fairgoers, Mary’s painting captures the liveliness and fun spirit that the fair inspires.
Barbara Boester-Quaid, Fairgrounds CEO, has always wanted to use the painting for the Ventura County Fair poster, but Barbara’s poster concept posed a few problems.
The painting had been hanging in the Fairgrounds Office since 1979, and many questions needed to be answered before it could be used: Who was the artist? How could he or she be reached? If we could find the artist, would permission be granted? To everyone’s surprise, when the painting was taken down from the wall the original fair entry tag was still attached to the back, giving Mary Christie’s name and address. A letter was sent to Mary at the address listed, and as luck would have it, she still lived in the same house in Ojai as she did when she painted the work almost 30 years ago. Mary and her entire family are proud and honored to be part of the festivities surrounding the fair.
An artist who uses many different media, Mary’s works always depict the beauty of a simple way of life. She explains, “My paintings are my commentary on the human condition or the beauty I witness all around me.”
Ms. Christie, who is now 90 years of age, still paints, and her work can be seen in local art shows. She spends her time with family and friends, enjoying her beautiful life.
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