The Ojai Studio Artists awarded $13,650 in scholarships to 13 Ventura County high school and college art students this year. The winning students were honored and awarded their scholarships at a special reception at Ojai City Hall on Saturday, June 3. This marks a new high in scholarship fundraising in OSA’s 24 year-old scholarship program.
Selected works by the scholarship winners will be shown at a month-long exhibition at City Gallery at Ojai City Hall. Each year OSA raises money to support young artists in their pursuit of further art education. To date, the artists’ organization has funded over $220,300 in scholarships and other ArtReach programs. Further information about the artist organization and those who wish to contribute to the scholarship fund go to www.ojaistudioartists.org and click “donate”.
Local author J.J. Brown will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 to deliver a talk on her book, Secrets & Howls. Brown will read an excerpt and will discuss how she got started with writing. There will be time for a Q&A session, and Brown will also share a short excerpt from the novel she is working on right now.
J.J. Brown grew up in Ojai and obtained a BA in theater at CSU Long Beach. She is passionate about art and has returned to drawing and painting, is learning tap dance from a local instructor, and hopes to soon pick up her violin lessons again. She believes that sometimes you just need to cram all the art and creativity into your life that you can get!
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at 218-9146.
The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
The public is invited to join Rev. Karen for a half-day retreat at Meditation Mount, on Saturday, June 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The morning will be devoted to “Waking up!” to the answers to all our questions and the fulfillment of all our needs—always already present inside us.
“We spend all our time looking outside ourselves for that which we think will make us whole and happy,” Rev. Karen says. “The truth is that what you are looking for is within you, and has always been within you.”
The morning will offer an opportunity for inner reflection, along with wisdom talks, sacred music, and quiet walks on the beautiful grounds of Meditation Mount. Randee Vasilakos, registered Science of Mind Practitioner, will be available to assist with prayers for personal healing and reconciliation. People of all faiths and traditions, or no tradition, are welcome to attend.
The retreat is by donation; $10 is suggested. Meditation Mount is located at 10340 Reeves Road. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com.
Ventura nature photographer David N. Lee will present a workshop on the basics of nature photography at a private ranch near Ojai, June 15, 8:30am – 12:30pm.
“This workshop will present an overview of the types of nature photography,” says Lee. “Students will learn basic techniques for landscape, macro and wildlife photography.”
Enrollment is limited to the first eight participants. The suggested donation is $25. Please visit https://davidnleephoto.com/workshops for more information. Workshop directions and other details provided with registration.
