Block Arty

A small town that wants to stay that way, Ojai will showcase local artists Saturday at the fourth annual Ojai Art Stroll.

Venues up and down Ojai Avenue, mostly between Ventura and Montgomery Streets, will host receptions, displays, demonstrations and performances by area musicians.

The downtown is only a few blocks long, but the Ojai Trolley will offer free rides beginning at 5 p.m. for those not wanting to walk.

The event, sponsored by the Ojai Village Merchants, is similar to Ventura’s art walk, but smaller.

One of the event organizers, Hallie Katz of the Human Arts Gallery, has seen the stroll grow over the years.

“Originally, it was an event designed to get people into visiting the local businesses because it’s a chamber-oriented thing,” Katz said. “But rather than do something in the street, this way each business can host their own thing. We should have around 40 artists this year.”

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At Nomad, artist Leslie Clark will talk about her serious road trips to Africa and India and how they inspired her colorful paintings. Also, free henna hand painting will be offered from 3 to 7 p.m.

“The Sacred Arts of Tibet,” which will include ceremonial scroll paintings, will be at the right place--the Tibetan Gallery and the Herb Garden.

The Great Dames Gallery will host Joyce Schofield, who will demonstrate her pottery skills beginning at noon.

There also will be plenty of activity around the fountain in the arcade plaza. The Ojai Studio Artists will be working on their Fourth of July dragon float with help from the audience. Cartoonist Sergio Aragones, the creator of Groo the Wanderer and other characters, will sign books and discuss his craft between 2 and 5 p.m. Nancy Rupp will create Oriental brush paintings.

Human Arts Home will introduce two new artists to the area. Joy Edwards-Beckett hand-looms wool and cotton rugs and saddle blankets, and Christopher Engle makes mosaic tile-topped steel tables.

Human Arts Gallery will feature new oils by Christine Brennan, as well as rock art-inspired paintings by Jane Hespenheide and “primitive chic” silver jewelry by Judy Proffitt.

The Primavera Gallery will highlight the paintings of Sharon and Kent Butler and Wendy MaHarry, plus the bronze sculptures of J. Menzel Joseph. In addition, Nancy Martinez will display her own pottery and her collection of Beatrice Wood paintings and prints.

Down the street at the Ojai Valley Museum, look for the “Making an Impression” exhibit, featuring Eric Hochberg’s nature prints and the sculptured pots of Joseph Pelka. Hochberg himself will offer a printing demonstration in the courtyard.

Rob Randall will be the featured artist at the small Chamber of Commerce office, while next door, Carmen White, Jan Sanchez and Lucy Harvey will use their cars as canvases for the expression of their art.

At the Ojai Art Center, the photographs of Betty Freeman will rekindle memories of past Ojai Music Festivals.

At the Little Gallery, Judith Klement will create quick sketch portraits from 6 to 9 p.m.

While these are just some of the visual highlights of the stroll, the soundtrack will be as ubiquitous as it is eclectic.

Rhythm Method will play its blend of blues and classic rock at Calypso’s Bar & Grill, which will also showcase the artwork of Mike McCarthy and Steven Ruffino.

Local Hero, a bookshop and restaurant, will host a live performance by singer-songwriter Clea Rose at 4 p.m., with aboriginal music and dance by Curlspace at 6:30.

At the Kindred Spirit, Ojai local Alan Thornhill will play his acoustic guitar and offer selections from his new album, “The Kindred Spirit.”

There will be more folk music from Ayana Colors at the Art Workshop.

An a cappella quartet, the Edwinas, will offer samples of their varied repertoire next to the Human Arts Gallery, and Robert Boyd will play classic guitar at the Great Dames Gallery.

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The newest local venue, the Ojai Brew Pub, will feature all those tasty brews in addition to rockin’ reggae from Lenny Dread and Rhythmwise.

Said Wendy MaHarry, a recording artist with a couple of albums on her resume along with the paintings on display at the Primavera Gallery:

“There are a lot of alternative-type people up here and it’s all very inspirational. There are filmmakers, actors, playwrights, potters, sculptors and illustrators. The scenery here is so spectacular that it helps you understand the priorities of your life and bring them out.”

DETAILS

Fourth annual Ojai Art Stroll in downtown Ojai, Saturday noon to 9 p.m. COST: Free. CALL: 646-8126.