Please Note: The Center is not available for rental events.
FREE | WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, & EVENTS
MARCH & APRIL | ONLINE
Participating local artists had the opportunity to have photos and videos of their work exhibited on the BBAX and Flourish Ojai websites and social media pages, with select works exhibited at The Ojai Retreat.
Throughout March and April, all community members were invited to submit photos and videos of their land art to the Flourish Ojai website and Facebook and Instagram pages.
SUNDAY APRIL 11, 2021 | VIA ZOOM
Marcos Lutyens shared about his national Rose River Memorial project and welcomed participation in an exhibit to remember each person who passed away due to COVID-19 in Ventura County. The memorial exhibit was unveiled on Earth Day, April 22. Before this workshop, free rose-making kits were available to community members for completing roses to be included in the exhibit. The rose-making kits are made possible by Building Bridges Art Exchange (BBAX). Replay available!
WEDNESDAY APRIL 21, 2021 | VIA ZOOM
Land artist Andrea Juan shared about her 15 years of exploration in Antarctica through her uniquely colorful creations. Replay available!
WEDNESDAY APRIL 21, 2021 | PORCH GALLERY
Livestream concert with Mapuche vocalist Beatriz Pichimalen singing offerings to Mother Earth and artists' video installations.
THURSDAY APRIL 22, 2021 | THE OJAI RETREAT
Opening reception honoring Earth Day; Rose River Memorial by Marcos Lutyens, Ventura County COVID-19 Memorial exhibit and local selected artists’ installations.
APRIL 23 - APRIL 25, 2021 | THE OJAI RETREAT & PORCH GALLERY
Outdoor exhibits at The Ojai Retreat were available for viewing and video projections of land art installations around the world were available at Porch Gallery.
SUNDAY APRIL 25, 2021 | VIA ZOOM
Contemporary artist Marisa Caichiolo shared about the power of skin decoration, particularly with natural dyes and oils. Replay available!
Memorial Rose Making by Marcos Lutyens.
April 11, 2021
Our Ojai community had the opportunity to contribute to a national memorial for COVID-19 through a handcrafted Rose River Memorial installation created by renowned artist Marcos Lutyens and presented by Building Bridges Art Exchange as part of the program. Using red felt to fashion roses, communities throughout the US are memorializing those who have passed away in their geographic areas. For Earth Day, a Rose River Memorial was exhibited at the Ojai Retreat Cultural Center in Ojai on April 22-25th, in memory of those who have passed away in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. To date, we have experienced 28,000 deaths in California, over 400,000 in the U.S. and over 1.9 million throughout the world.
To learn more about Marcos interests and exhibitions, the Rose River Memorial Project, or to access the recording of this event, use the buttons beow.
Photos courtesy of Artist Marcos Lutyens
Land Art Landscape Interventions with Andrea Juan.
April 21st, 2021
This conversation focused on the artist’s exploration around her installations using nature as a canvas for her photographic work.
Andrea Juan’s over 15-year exploration in Antarctica brought the message of climate change through her unique exhibitions in a colorfully creative way.
Learn more about her work, and the Antarctica project, or view the recording of this workshop using the buttons below.
Photos courtesy of Artist Andrea Juan
Photos courtesy of Artist Marisa Caichiolo
Decorating Skin: The Magic of Colors from Nature
with Marisa Caichiolo
May 8, 2021
This workshop consisted of two components, theoretical and practical. Marisa, the presenter and artist, guided us through an exploration of color symbolism, patterns, and, especially, the potent and magical use of skin decoration. Through decoration and painting, humans historically express their relationship with their emotions, supernatural powers, and relating to the essences of deified ancestors.
For the practical portion, participants discovered together how the use of raw materials from nature mixed with water or tree-oils before application can expand from decoration into opening chakras and waking up the spiritual warrior we all have inside.
Marisa Caichiolo is an artist and curator who studied art history and curatorial studies. She holds a PhD in art history and psychology, with her research focusing primarily on the impact on social and political changes in society. Marisa is also the founder of Building Bridges Art Exchange, an international non-profit organization based in Santa Monica. The foundation is a platform for critical thinking and researching, local and international programs, art residencies, and education programs.
To learn more about Building Bridges Art Exchange or to view the recording, click the buttons below.
6 Feet of Connection is supported by the City of Ojai Arts Commission, The Ojai Retreat Cultural Center, Porch Gallery Ojai, and Flourish Ojai, and promoted internationally by Building Bridges Art Exchange.
