To see previous videos of demos recorded for WVAG, click on the YouTube link below.
Dinner Demos are held at the Los Robles Greens - 299 S. Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks
Doors open at 5:30.
$32 for members and $39 for non members.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2026 the cost for dinner demos will increase to $34 for members and $40 for non members
The last day to register is the Friday (5:00 PM) before the upcoming Dinner Demo.
Cancellations must be made no later than the Friday before the dinner demo to receive a refund. Contact Dennis Griffin
February 3, 2026
Dinner and Demo with Jem Atwater
Last day to register is Friday, Jan. 30, 2026
Jem is a Ventura-based oil painter specializing in traditional techniques with a contemporary sensibility. Inspired by the coastal beauty of California, Jem’s work captures the dynamic interplay of light, atmosphere, and movement, whether through plein air landscapes or thoughtfully composed studio pieces.
With a strong foundation in color theory and design, Jem not only creates evocative artworks but also shares her expertise through teaching. She teaches oil painting across Ventura County, including at the Santa Paula Art Museum, where she leads adult courses in Still Life, Seascape, and Pet Portraiture; VITA Art Center, where she teaches adult painting courses and runs an afterschool program for middle schoolers; and Raminfard School of Arts, where she provides private instruction emphasizing the fundamentals of fine art.
Her work has been featured in juried exhibitions and local art shows, reflecting a deep connection to Ventura’s creative community. In addition to painting, Jem is dedicated to organizing events that bring artists together, including collaborative exhibitions and live painting competitions.
March 3, 2026
Dinner and Demo with Steven Curry
Website: www.stevencurryarts.com
Studio Interview (video): Click here to watch
Last day to register is Friday, Februarty 27, 2026
Born in Millbrae, California, Steven spent the first 21 years of his life in the beautiful surroundings of Northern California. Both parents were practicing artists who nurtured Steven’s love of drawing and painting from an early age. In 1982, he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Communication from California State University, Long Beach working the first 6 years of his professional art career as a Graphic Designer in Los Angeles, CA.
From 1988 to 2003 Steven owned and operated the Curry Design Agency based in Santa Monica, California. CDA’s many prestigious clients included Nissan North America, Sony Pictures, and the Academy Awards. CDA’s significant impact on the graphic design industry is emphasized by having three graphic design projects selected to be archived in the collections of the United States’ Library of Congress. Other wards include a gold record via Capital Records. After more than 15 years of commercial success, Steven retired from his design agency to pursue his fine art passion full-time, choosing the Ojai Valley of California as home and inspiration.
Steve’s paintings capture the coastal cypress trees, the glorious colors of the sunset, and the shadow and light of the California landscape. He uses vintage frames from the tonal era as well as making his own frames depicting an earlier time.
April 7, 2026
Dinner and Demo with Shahin Mojtabai
Last day to register is Friday, April 3, 2026
Shahin Mojtabai
Shahin Mojtabai is a passionate realist painter, instructor, and founder of Shishkin Art Studio in Topanga Canyon. With over 14 years of experience, he now dedicates himself to teaching students of all ages (10 and up), focusing on realism and the art of observing everyday life with sensitivity rather than relying on innate talent. Named after Russian painter Ivan Shishkin, his studio welcomes anyone eager to learn, offering a supportive space where skill is cultivated through patience, practice, and personal insight. Known for his expressive teaching style and honest feedback, Mojtabai finds deep fulfillment in helping students experience artistic breakthroughs.
Last day to register is Friday, April 30, 2026
Much as a poet uses words to express spirit, emotion, and beauty of thought, pastel artist Virginia Kamhi paints painterly realistic paintings that convey the poetry, imaginative power, and rhythms of the natural wonders that surround her.
Growing up in Southern California, Kamhi spent many childhood hours roaming the hills around her home and many weekends bodysurfing in the ocean. These early memories perhaps influence her art, because California landscapes and seascapes are her preferred subjects. Kamhi holds a Master's in Fine Art Painting from Academy of Art University and has studied extensively with many eminent artists, among them Richard McKinley, Albert Handell, Lorenzo Chavez, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, Jeanne Rosier Smith, Skip Whitcomb, and Gil Dellinger.
Although Kamhi also works in other media, pastels are her passion because of their tactile quality and unique ability to paint the visual poetry that nourishes her soul. She loves to hike in the local mountains and observe the essence of the sunlight, the complexity of form in the landscape, the interaction of light and shadow. She feels it is a privilege to closely observe what others fail to see in the course of their hurried lives.
Kamhi is influenced by great California painters such as Franz Bischoff and Edgar Payne, but also adores the French impressionists. She believes it is important to spend time outdoors in nature to examine the quality of light and the play of shadows at different times of day. She feels that when you are outside in nature you absorb the essence of the scene: the smells, the warmth or chill of the air, the movement and sounds. All of these sensory images become a part of your paintings and lend them a transcendent quality.
Kamhi has always been mesmerized by the rhythms of the oceans, and she spends hours observing, photographing, and painting plein air beside the sea. To Kamhi, this is an emotional and spiritual connection. Her paintings reflect the calming rhythmic movement and poetry of the surf.
Kamhi’s works have been exhibited in numerous museums and international pastel exhibitions. They are included in private and public collections throughout the U.S. and Europe. She is a signature member of Pastel Society of the West Coast.
June 2, 2026
Dinner Demo with Morgan Kari
Morgan Kari has over forty years of experience as a professional Artist, Fine Art Instructor and Lecturer. Her education includes the earning of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with Honors from the University of Washington, Seattle, and further studies at Art Center College of Design, and UCLA, Los Angeles. For fifteen years she worked as a Fashion Illustrator for clients such as department stores, newspapers, advertising agencies, and designers. Among her clients were Women's Wear Daily, the May Company, I. Magnin, the Broadway, Men's Wear Magazine, Bullocks, the Los Angeles Times, California Apparel News and Academy Award winning Fashion Designer Edith Head.
A respected art instructor, Morgan teaches portrait painting, fashion illustration, animal portraits, beginning drawing, watercolor special effects, botanical illustration, still life, landscape, and abstract painting. Acrylic, oil, colored pencil, charcoal and graphite drawing as well as pastel, silver point, watercolor, gold leaf and pen and ink are also part of her curriculum.
Her experience has led her to teach at Art Center College of Design, Learning Tree University, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Palos Verdes Art Center, Otis College of Art and Design, the Manhattan Beach Creative Arts Center and Destination Art. She also conducts art classes a their 1200 square foot teaching studio located at her Woodland Hills home.
Reserve & Pay for your Dinner Demo
Members $32 and Guests $39.
Reservations are required and must be made OR cancelled no later than Friday (5:00 PM) prior to the event.
Dinner / Demos
Westlake Village Art Guild
The WVAG's monthly buffet dinner and art demos are held the first Tuesday of each month from September through June.
Location
West Ballroom
Los Robles Greens
299 S. Moorpark Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
Schedule
5:30 PM Check-In Opens
6:00 PM Buffet Dinner
7:00 PM Demonstration
8:30 PM End
Great food, demos and friends at the WVAG Dinner Demos!
To see previous videos of demos recorded for WVAG, click on the YouTube link below.