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 Santa Barbara Printmakers and
Linda Taylor (in Beato Showcase)
May 29 - July 2
Three Artists: Otis Bradley (aka Ocho Libre), Kathy Bodycombe, Paula Jennet
July 3 - August 6
Reception: July 11th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
We have three talented artists on display during the month of July.
1. Otis Bradley, aka Ocho Libre, will exhibit in the Main Gallery.
Otis states, “Never an 'artist' as a kid, I was always busy playing sports and art seemed like it wasn’t a 'boy thing' to do. I did, however, start learning architecture in 9th grade, and I think that was my soft entry into art! At UCLA Architecture school, I took a number of art classes and started fooling around with watercolor. It was til later when one of my modern designed homes needed some bit of art that I started doing abstract paintings. I wanted big colorful stuff and used lots of construction tools and materials to make it – like plywood panels, large scraper and drywall pallet knives. That was the beginning…
I love painting and I always lose my sense of time while painting – fully immersed – I love it. Starting to sell paintings is another thing… although I have plenty of business experience, marketing isn’t as much fun as painting!"
He describes his work – “Big colorful abstract paintings – most of my work has been on large plywood panels as mentioned but I am now doing more work on canvas – lots easier to ship.”
2. Kathy Bodycombe will exhibit in the Signature Gallery. “My own artistic journey has been no less rewarding. I paint what I see around me. I take an extensive amount of photographs as references for my paintings, from the familiar scenes I grew up with in California, as well as throughout all my travels. Landscape is everywhere around us, and the challenge is to use the elements of art to bring what we see and feel onto a canvas, making it as aesthetically pleasing and painterly as possible. My focus of art is painting landscapes with oil, abstracts with acrylic and have done several series of mixed media/collage.”
3. The Showcases will feature the three-dimensional sculptures of Paula Jennet. Paula’s latest ceramic collection “URBAN” explores the relationship between structure and space. Drawing from the clean geometry of modern skyscrapers and the rhythm of urban landscapes, she uses lines, patterns and light to echo the built environment.
Reception for all artists is Saturday, July 11, 1-3 p.m.
1. Otis Bradley, aka Ocho Libre, will exhibit in the Main Gallery.
Otis states, “Never an 'artist' as a kid, I was always busy playing sports and art seemed like it wasn’t a 'boy thing' to do. I did, however, start learning architecture in 9th grade, and I think that was my soft entry into art! At UCLA Architecture school, I took a number of art classes and started fooling around with watercolor. It was til later when one of my modern designed homes needed some bit of art that I started doing abstract paintings. I wanted big colorful stuff and used lots of construction tools and materials to make it – like plywood panels, large scraper and drywall pallet knives. That was the beginning…
I love painting and I always lose my sense of time while painting – fully immersed – I love it. Starting to sell paintings is another thing… although I have plenty of business experience, marketing isn’t as much fun as painting!"
He describes his work – “Big colorful abstract paintings – most of my work has been on large plywood panels as mentioned but I am now doing more work on canvas – lots easier to ship.”
2. Kathy Bodycombe will exhibit in the Signature Gallery. “My own artistic journey has been no less rewarding. I paint what I see around me. I take an extensive amount of photographs as references for my paintings, from the familiar scenes I grew up with in California, as well as throughout all my travels. Landscape is everywhere around us, and the challenge is to use the elements of art to bring what we see and feel onto a canvas, making it as aesthetically pleasing and painterly as possible. My focus of art is painting landscapes with oil, abstracts with acrylic and have done several series of mixed media/collage.”
3. The Showcases will feature the three-dimensional sculptures of Paula Jennet. Paula’s latest ceramic collection “URBAN” explores the relationship between structure and space. Drawing from the clean geometry of modern skyscrapers and the rhythm of urban landscapes, she uses lines, patterns and light to echo the built environment.
Reception for all artists is Saturday, July 11, 1-3 p.m.
COMING SOON... Bon Appetit!
Call to artists!!
We're looking forward to a special art exhibit, BON APPÉTIT,
scheduled for November, where, you guessed it... Food is the theme of this show.
Prospectus & More info.
We're looking forward to a special art exhibit, BON APPÉTIT,
scheduled for November, where, you guessed it... Food is the theme of this show.
Prospectus & More info.
The Great Art Theft - Where Great Art is a Steal
The 2026 Great Art Theft takes place Sept. 20th
Sign up below to be notified with tickets go on sale.
A Heartfelt Thank You to all the artists, ticket purchasers, coordinators,
and volunteers who participated in the 11th Annual Great Art Theft!
It was a tremendous success!
Much gratitude goes out to photographer Stephen Adams
for capturing the 2025 Great Art Theft participants red-handed!!
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.