1st Conejo Cottontails Bicycle Tour
The Unveiling of "14 Carrot" at the Los Robles Regional Medical Center
“Another Cottontail in the Conejo! The extraordinary Conejo Cottontail "14 Carrot," was premiered today in front of the main entrance to Los Robles Regional Medical Center.
The ACCV is proud to have collaborated with Art Trek in this public art project since 2015, which has brought twenty fiberglass rabbits to the Conejo Valley.
This exceptionally beautiful cottontail is covered with glass mosaic tiles and is a real work of art. Congrats to artist Melissa Grossman, Nan Young, and everyone at Art Trek.
It is especially gratifying for our council that 14 Carrot is a donation from the Conejo community, an expression of gratitude to the health worker heroes here at Los Robles Hospital who have worked so selflessly during the pandemic. We hope it will continue to bring joy to many for years to come!” - Ed Smart, Arts Council of the Conejo Valley
Cottontail Sighting: A Cycling Adventure through the Conejo Valley!
Check out some fun photos of Kathleen and her friends biking around the Conejo Valley to find 7 of our Cottontails.
What a fun adventure!
Britney Spears spotted with "Art of the Tango" at Stonehaus in Westlake Village!
Local celebrity Britney Spears was spotted on Tuesday, March 16th, shopping in Westlake Village.
While out, she stopped by The Stonehaus and paid a visit to our Conejo Cottontail “Art of the Tango” by Malibu Artist, Ann Krasner.
Britney with “Art of the Tango” by Ann Krasner
The Unveiling of "Venti" at the Thousand Oaks Inn
On July 28, 2020, Venti, one of the newest Conejo Cottontails was unveiled in front of the Thousand Oaks Inn. Venti was commissioned by the Inn and painted by local artist John Galan.
This cottontail was designed to depict the nature, history and life of the Conejo Valley. From the lions, tigers and bears that once lived at Jungleland in Thousand Oaks to the rolling hills of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Check out the video below to see the making of “Venti”!
Drive by this masterpiece today and snap a photo!
Thousand Oaks Inn
75 W Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, California 91360
Cottontail In Progress: Jessica Fowler
Art Trek’s very own artist Jessica Fowler is our newest Conejo Cottontail Artist!
She has been working diligently on a collaborative cottontail (Sharon Riley x Jessica Fowler) for the Westlake Elementary Wizards in Westlake Village, CA.
Check out some in progress photos below!
Visiting the Conejo Cottontails!
One local family is on a mission to visit all 20 Conejo Cottontails! They recently visited 17 of our 20 public works of art!
Check out the fun photos below.
And thank you to Kelly for the photos! We love to share pictures our community members visiting the cottontails.
Throwback Thursday: The Unveiling of Cottonsail at the Westlake Lake!
December 3rd, 2019
The Westlake Lake has a new friend! His name is Cottonsail and he is here to brighten the banks of the Westlake Lake. The already beautiful Triunfo Canyon Road is just a little more special today with the addition of artist, Shannon Celia’s Conejo Cottontail. The sculptor, Cate Hartenstein created the statues that are popping up all over the Conejo Valley. Her original design is the same, but each Cottontail is unique in the way they are painted by their own artist. Cottonsail has a nautical theme with some whimsical surprises including a beach ball tail!
The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley and Art Trek would like to extend our gratitude to the Binsley Family for their ongoing support of the Public Art Project and the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise for their commitment to community. Terry Moerler, immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise wanted the club to make a gift to the City of Westlake Village.
The Unveiling of "Rosie" at Westlake City Hall
On September 4, 2019, Rosie was officially welcomed to her forever home at Westlake City Hall. The funding for Rosie came from the City's commitment to public art. The proceeds from the sale of Rosie are being used to bring an arts program to the seniors of Westlake Village. Rosie was created by artist Judy Koenig.
The Dedication Celebration was preceded by a Shibori Banner making activity facilitated by Art Trek. The colorful banners were a fitting embellishment to the festive atmosphere. At the unveiling, Mayor Ned Davis quipped about famous rabbits in history including Peter Cottontail, Bugs Bunny, and the Trix Rabbit to name a few. Mayor Pro Tem, Kelly Honig spoke about the importance of public art and expressed her delight in seeing Rosie each time she entered the City Hall Building.
Throwback Thursday: The Unveiling of the Conejo Cottontail at The Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village
On Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 we unveiled our newest Conejo Cottontail sculpture at The Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. This cottontail drew from inspiration of the four seasons and brought to life by local artist, Jenny Manno.
Artist Statement Below:
“I’d like to thank Art Trek and the Four Seasons for this opportunity.
When Nan Young, asked me to be the artist for the Four Seasons community rabbit project, I jumped at the chance. The rest of the day I walked around thinking THE FOUR SEASONS!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??! By that afternoon it turned into… THE FOUR SEASONS, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!!?? It hit me like a ton of bricks!! I had some VERY large shoes to fill! Thank goodness I had 8 months to make that happen.
I knew right away that I was going to paint the background a GORGEOUS retro turquoise color… which, may or may not also be the same color as my kitchen and my bedroom. Sorry honey!! It also HAD TO HAVE the FOUR SEASONS represented on it. The trick was, ALL four seasons had to be visible from all sides. THIS WAS NOT EASY!
In the 8 months to follow it went through two major repaints, many late night painting sessions in my living room as well as several trips to the chiropractor….
Finally!!! I was making headway!!
Then tragedy struck-BORDERLINE
I knew that I had to somehow represent and pay tribute to those that lost their lives on that day.
The bees became that symbol. They represent LIFE, STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE. I couldn’t think of a better way to tell the world that as a community, Thousand Oaks would heal and survive.
Fast forward 11 months from the day Nan asked me to be a part of this community project to us standing here today at the unveiling. I have learned a lot about myself during this journey. I discovered that I too am a lot like those bees. For that alone I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.” - Jenny Manno
Unveiling of the newest Cottontail at Carden Conejo Elementary
On September 28th, 2018 Conejo Public Art unveiled the latest Conejo Cottontail sculpture at Carden Conejo Elementary School in Westlake Village, CA.
”Thank you to Marjorie Sarnat, the wonderful artist; the fabulous Nancy Young, founder & executive director of Art Trek, Inc.; Julie Kim, CCPA Treasurer and “bunny” project manager; Dr. & Mr. Fleming, Mrs. Schmitz and the Carden faculty & staff for instilling in our children a lifelong appreciation of art, manners and giving back to our community.
Last but not least, thank you to our parents who brought a beautiful work of art to our campus, while also generously giving back to our community.” - Carden Conejo Parents’ Association
“Carden Conejo Cottontail” by Marjorie Sarnat
*Photos courtesy of Carden Conejo Elementary
Unveiling of "Hope" at Many Mansions
Today, Many Mansions welcomed the newest Conejo Cottontail to the community, "Hope".
Hope was unveiled this morning at Many Mansions Thousand Oaks office with numerous community members, staff, and supporters present. President Rick Shroeder of Many Mansions and Art Trek Executive Director Nan Young spoke about the Conejo Cottontails Project and the impact it has made on our community.
This cottontail was designed and painted by artist Anette Power.
After the unveiling, Many Mansions invited the community to enjoy snacks and drinks and have a tour of their facility.
We look forward to bringing many more Cottontails to the Conejo Valley.
Unveiling of "Arnie" at Westlake Golf Course
On Thursday, April 26th, the Westlake Golf Course welcomed the newest Conejo Cottontail to the community, "Arnie".
Arnie was celebrated by members of the Conejo Public Art Council, many golfers, Valerie Draeger, Triliad Development, Inc. and the Gene Haas Foundation who funded this wonderful piece of public art. This cottontail was created by artist: Crystal Michaelson
Although Arnie is the latest piece in our public art collection, he will be joined shortly by two more Cottontails. Their names and locations will be revealed later this summer. Stay tuned to see where our bunnies will be popping up next!
Conejo Cottontails Luncheon
You're invited!
Attendees will enjoy an appetizing lunch while they learn about this vibrant public art project that is hoppin' all over the Conejo Valley. Meet the artists and learn more about this wonderful art project for our community.
Email info@conejopublicart.org to RSVP today!
*This is a free event for businesses and individuals to learn more about Conejo Public Art and the Conejo Cottontails project.
Watch the CRPD Cottontail go on adventures!
We currently have many Conejo Cottontails on display in our local community, but only one special rabbit gets to travel from place to place. This cottontail was designed and painted by local artist, Sheila Fein for the Conejo Recreation and Park District. Sheila included various aspects of what the Conejo Recreation and Park district is all about, from setting up yoga classes at a local park to a group hike in Wildwood park to Paradise Falls, this Cottontail has it all. There are so many adventures to go on and we needed an adventurous cottontail to take on the excitement! Follow Conejo Recreation and Park District on social media to follow are friend on all the adventures!! Links below.
Twitter - @ConejoRPD
Facebook - @ConejoRPD
Instagram - @ConejoRPD
Website - CRPD.org
Brooks Cottontail Dedication and Unveiling at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks, CA
This morning at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza we unveiled one of our first and most precious Conejo Cottontails, Brooks. Brooks was designed and painted by world renowned artist, Hessam Abrishami with the late Jane Brooks in mind. Jane Brooks was a lover of the arts in our community, from curating art shows to collecting art from around the world. She did it all. Jane had this wonderful idea to bring large fiberglass sculptures of rabbits to the Conejo Valley, now 15 years later her dream is becoming a reality. We hope she is proud.
Below you will find wonderful images from this great event. We hope to bring many more cottontails to the Conejo Valley.
This Friday we Unveil our first ever Conejo Cottontail
Touchdown Rabbit - "Go Rams!"
The newest Conejo Cottontail is open to the public! "Touchdown Rabbit" is currently on display at the Promenade in Westlake Village next to Cinepolis. This project was all possible with the support of Caruso Affiliated, The Los Angeles Rams, Art Trek, Inc. and the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley. This cottontail was designed and painted by Los Angeles artist and textile designer, Eliza Day-Green .
Cottontail Unveiling: Los Angeles RAMS
Thursday, September 7
3:00pm-5:00pm
The Promenade in Westlake Village
BRING FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO ENJOY THE UNVEILING OF OUR NEWEST CONEJO COTTONTAIL: "TOUCHDOWN" FOR THE LOS ANGELES RAMS. THE CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE WESTLAKE PROMENADE TOMORROW AFTERNOON FROM 3-5PM. COME ON BY AND ENJOY FOOD TRUCKS, FOOTBALL AND AN AMAZING WORK OF ART TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY. THIS COLORFUL-SPORTY COTTONTAIL WAS DESIGNED AND PAINTED BY ELIZA DAY GREEN, ARTIST AND TEXTILE DESIGNER FROM LOS ANGELES.
Cottontail Sneak Peek!
Artist Spotlight: Sheila Fein
Sheila Fein
Artist
"I am an illustrator and a fine artist. I vacillate between the two on a daily basis.
As a fine artist I create works on canvas, cardboard, and fine paper with acrylic paint, oil, oil pastels, pastels, colored pencil, ink markers, and the airbrush. My work is in private collections across the US and abroad. I love to have solo art shows as well as curate shows with other artists. Day-to-day I teach art to private students as well as run two figurative drawing workshops called People Sketchers (Hillcrest Center for the Arts) and Imaginings Sketch (Artist Studio). This is where I practice drawing the human figure and let my imagination fly. From fantasy portraits, to fantasy pop art, I combine the literal with my imagined world to create my imagery.
The techniques I have learned as a fine artist make my job as an illustrator and a digital artist, very exciting. There is nothing I love more than bringing a story or an object to life. Painting the Bunny was an amazing experience and I loved adding people, places, local color and animals to the Bunny creating a roadmap of Conejo Park life.
As an original New Yorker transplanted to the Santa Monica Mountains of LA, I feel I have a unique perspective. I have raised four amazing daughters with my husband and now I am Gami to two active grandsons. There is never a dull moment or a time I am without inspiration.
Whether, I am creating a painting for the joy of creating or using my craft to illustrate a book, I seek to work without the critic on my shoulder. Following the voice inside has led me to this wonderful and fulfilling dual career. " - Sheila Fein
