Artists in Their Element

Strolling through a gallery, enjoying the art that adorns walls and perches, one might be curious to meet the works’ creator. Which is what artist receptions are all about.

But how about meeting the artist in the environment where the art is conceived and created?

“The Ojai Studio Artist Tour” will provide such an opportunity this Saturday and Sunday, when visitors can tour the working studios of 18 Ojai-area artists.

“It’s a chance to come in contact and enjoy the artists in this community,” said Margaret Westrom, executive director of the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce. The chamber is sponsoring this year’s annual event. “Besides getting a rare glimpse inside the studios, visitors can witness techniques and ask questions about the artist’s work and artistic process,” she said.

Artists participating in the event include Beatrice Wood, Kristina Grey, Nancy Whitman, Elaine Rogers, Betty Saunders, Gayel Childress, Mary Christie, Ruth Farnham, Barbara Greene, Sharyn Robinson Rutherford, Heather Young, Leila Kleiman, Bert Collins, Marta Nelson, Alberta Fins and Linda Taylor.

“A lot of these artists show their work all over the country,” Westrom said.

Acclaimed ceramists Vivika and Otto Heino will also participate in the tour.

“It gives the public a chance to see how we work and live,” Otto Heino said. “It’s an education for our visitors and we enjoy conversing with them and answering questions.”

The annual tour attracts visitors from all over California, Heino said.

The self-guided tour will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visitors should stop by the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery St., for a tour map.

The two-day event will also feature a champagne reception 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Ojai Art Center. Participating artists will be in attendance.

Tickets--available at the art center or the chamber of commerce--are $10 and include the reception and both days of the tour. For more information, call 646-8126.