Art Branch
Gallery Exhibits
Gallery hours are 12:00 through 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday thru Sunday
The Art Branch is an active group of volunteer members who strive to promote these early tenets set forth in the Articles of Incorporation, ”The purpose of the Art Center is to advance the interest, influence and usefulness of the Arts in the community, to engage in the promotion from an a vocational standpoint of fine and applied arts.” Which means to us joyfully creating, exhibiting, networking and providing hands on experiences in the Arts.
The galleries are a source of pride for the Art Center, displaying a high quality of local work from Ojai, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County artists as well as artists from as far away as New York. Many artists who have since gained national recognition have had their start at the Ojai Art Center.
The galleries are a source of pride for the Art Center, displaying a high quality of local work from Ojai, Santa Barbara, and Ventura County artists as well as artists from as far away as New York. Many artists who have since gained national recognition have had their start at the Ojai Art Center.
The Works of Christine Brennan
March 30th - May 1st
Reception: April 13th, 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
Music by Francisco De Leon
“The Works of Christine Brennan” will be on display March 30th - May 1st. Brennan, who works in a rich color palette, often features shimmering gold leaf in her fanciful work. Classically trained, she uses time honored techniques to render her images, each a unique story peopled by her delightful creatures. More of her images can be viewed at www.christinebrennan.net.
Crystal Davis’ functional pottery will also be exhibited in the cases.
The opening reception, Saturday, April 13th, 1- 3 p.m., and will include music by Francisco De Leon.
Crystal Davis’ functional pottery will also be exhibited in the cases.
The opening reception, Saturday, April 13th, 1- 3 p.m., and will include music by Francisco De Leon.
Coming Soon...
Art in the Park - Memorial Weekend
May 25th & 26th, 2024
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Libbey Park
Over 70 fine artists - Activities - Performances
May 25th & 26th, 2024
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Libbey Park
Over 70 fine artists - Activities - Performances
November Show: Take a Look Back to 1939
"Transcriptions: An 85th Birthday Party for the Ojai Art Center"
November 9th - December 4th
Reception: Saturday, Nov. 16th, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
As the 85th birthday of the Ojai Art Center comes up in November we’d like to invite artists to take a look back to the year 1939 or thereabouts and choose a work of art in any medium (painting, photography, music, film, drama, dance, sculpture, 3D) and transcribe it. A transcription is a copy that is not an exact replica. It can also take just a piece of the original to copy. Transcribing a work of art teaches a person about important elements of the original. For instance, in a painting we’d look at the composition, the color, the values, the underlying structure (where are the darks and lights, what shapes seem to lead the eye around the canvas?) For this celebration we suggest people find a piece of art that they love from the late 1930s and create a copy that can be anything from an homage to a parody. The idea is to get inspired by a work of art, and you can change media too: make a photograph from a painting, a collage from a photograph, a painting inspired by a sculpture or movie poster, or a sculpture or 3D inspired by a painting, etc.
The years leading up to and following 1939 were politically and economically challenging. We face some of the same challenges today. Artists have engaged with challenges in all kinds of ways, from Picasso’s “Guernica” to Matisse’s fantasia of beautiful women and flowers painted in the thirties. We encourage artists to find their own voice when making a transcription. When submitting your piece(s) please provide a photograph of the original that inspired your work.
Interesting websites concerning transcriptions and art of the 1930s:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/in-these-quarantine-tableaus-household-items-turn-into-art-history-props
https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/articles/2023/9/the-art-of-the-great-depression
https://www.seattleartistleague.com/2020/10/19/fran-oneills-transcriptions/
ART CENTER GUIDELINES: This an open show. 2D work must be framed or have finished gallery edges and be securely wired for hanging; 3D work welcome. Original work only, no AI or giclee. No wet paint or work previously shown at the Art Center; all work must be available for purchase. Size limit on 2D work is 48" wide. A 30% commission will be charged on all sales. Fill out entry form below (clearly) before you arrive.
LIABILITY: Every precaution will be taken in handling the artwork; however, no liability for damages or loss can be assumed by the Art Center or its volunteers. All exhibiting artists must be members of the Art Center; a 30-day membership is available for $10.00. A regular year membership for an individual is $50 or $30 for a senior. Artists who wish to insure their work must provide that insurance.
The years leading up to and following 1939 were politically and economically challenging. We face some of the same challenges today. Artists have engaged with challenges in all kinds of ways, from Picasso’s “Guernica” to Matisse’s fantasia of beautiful women and flowers painted in the thirties. We encourage artists to find their own voice when making a transcription. When submitting your piece(s) please provide a photograph of the original that inspired your work.
Interesting websites concerning transcriptions and art of the 1930s:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/in-these-quarantine-tableaus-household-items-turn-into-art-history-props
https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/articles/2023/9/the-art-of-the-great-depression
https://www.seattleartistleague.com/2020/10/19/fran-oneills-transcriptions/
ART CENTER GUIDELINES: This an open show. 2D work must be framed or have finished gallery edges and be securely wired for hanging; 3D work welcome. Original work only, no AI or giclee. No wet paint or work previously shown at the Art Center; all work must be available for purchase. Size limit on 2D work is 48" wide. A 30% commission will be charged on all sales. Fill out entry form below (clearly) before you arrive.
LIABILITY: Every precaution will be taken in handling the artwork; however, no liability for damages or loss can be assumed by the Art Center or its volunteers. All exhibiting artists must be members of the Art Center; a 30-day membership is available for $10.00. A regular year membership for an individual is $50 or $30 for a senior. Artists who wish to insure their work must provide that insurance.
The Great Art Theft - 2023
We'd like to take a moment and thank all those who helped make our 9th Annual Great Art Theft event such a success!
From the art committee planning sessions, volunteer help, and generous donations from local artists -- to all the ticket purchasers (the Gala was sold out!)
Thanks so much. We couldn't have done it without you!
Here is a list of our wonderfully talented artists. A very special thank you to each of you!!
What Else...
We now have a selection of scripts, plays and books from the collection of John Slade. Everything has been lovingly chronicled by his wife, Laurie Walters Slade, and is available to browse or borrow.
Interested in Exhibiting at the OAC?
Artists interested in being considered for an exhibit should call 805-646-0117 to find out how it’s done.