Carnegie Exhibit Revels in Variety and the Best of Local Renderings

Since the Ventura County Art Museum’s annual “Assembly of the Arts” show has narrowed its focus over the last few years, the best and most varied local art roundup probably now takes place at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard.

The fourth annual show, “A Classic Competition,” brings a wealth of artworks under one neoclassical roof. Variety is the heart of the matter.

Visitors are greeted by Andy Schuess’ “Quaking Palm,” an amusing interactive sculpture in the vague form of a palm tree that quivers when you step on a button, evoking California culture and angst.

In the photography corner, we find impressive pieces by Donna Granata, Scott Hirko,Phillip Avila-Ruiz Garcia and especially Hans Jurgen Kuschnik, whose “Candy Sunset--Ode to Ruth Bernhard” plays off veteran Bernhard’s study in light and dark, elevating lowly Lifesavers to lofty aesthetic status.

There are strong pieces by some of Ventura County’s best artists, including Gerd Koch, Hiroko Yoshimoto, Kazuko Knowles, Chloe Murdoch and Lynn Morley, whose “Two Trees” pushes commonplace landscape toward the domain of abstraction.

Carlisle Cooper depicts an acoustic bassist, via the artist’s unique iridescent style, while Eve Riser-Roberts’ engagingly goofy works pay homage to famous artists and the cat world: a screaming/meowing “Munch’s Cat.”

Another fine artist shown here is the Ojai-based Alberta Fins, whose “Double Cross” extends the title’s pun into the terrain of religious questioning.

Cynde Miller’s “Eve and Snake” is a provocatively crude assemblage on the biblical theme, and Katherine McGuire’s watercolor reflects her typical light and airy style.

* “A Classic Competition,” through Sunday at Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C St., Oxnard. Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m. (805) 385-8157.