Set within the Topatopa Mountains of California, the Ojai Valley is a small but vibrant region that has inspired artists for generations with its picturesque vistas and golden glow. An exhibition starting this April at the Ojai Valley Museum will celebrate this beloved locale through the works of 19 artists, each bringing two congruent paintings: one large and one small.
Frank Serrano, Sunset Reflections, oil, 9 x 12 in.
“The exhibition explores the enduring relationship between artists and place, presenting a range of individual responses that reflect both accomplished practice and personal interpretation. Seen together, the works form a conversation between artist and landscape, underscoring the continued relevance of contemporary landscape painting,” say co-curators Dan Schultz and Jennifer Moses in a joint statement. “At its core, Ojai Mystique is an exhibition about relationships—between artists and the landscape, between individual works within the gallery, and between the exhibition and its audience. The curatorial process was shaped by an interest in how a shared landscape is interpreted through the distinct styles and visual languages of the participating artists, allowing those individual responses to unfold across the exhibition.” Both Schultz and Moses have artwork in the exhibition as well.
Kim Lordier, Ojai Awakens, pastel, 9 x 12 in.
Among the other artists featured in the show are Ray Roberts, Michael Obermeyer, W. Jason Situ, Alexey Steele, Sarah Vedder, Dave Santillanes and more.
“The Ojai Valley has become a place where I return not just to paint, but to breathe,” says artist Kim Lordier, whose pastel Ojai Awakenswill be part of the upcoming show. “Whether hiking or painting, the landscape reminds me to slow down, to notice the fleeting shifts of color and light. My two paintings reflect that feeling of connection—one capturing the river holding the warmth of last light, the other revealing the valley opening beneath a luminous sky. In both, I hope to share the sense of gratitude I feel for these moments of quiet beauty, when the land and light come together in a way that feels both grounding and transcendent.”
Jennifer Moses, Sun Gazing, oil on linen, 36 x 44 in.
Frank Serrano’s Sunset Reflections captures the warm golden light of evening, along with the artist’s bold mark making. “The Ojai Valley is uniquely captivating, especially at certain times of day. As an avid outdoor painter, the early morning and late afternoon offer great opportunities to gather reference for use in the studio,” he says. “Both of my paintings depict the beauty along a creek in the Ojai Valley adjacent to the Ventura River at different times of the day. The small studio painting, composed from a few references and my visual memory, depicts the stunning beauty of the late afternoon light as it departs the river-laced valley with stunning warm hues.”
Dan Schultz, Sunlit Orchards, oil on linen panel, 30 x 40 in.
Schultz and Moses add, “From early California impressionists to artists working today, Ojai has remained a compelling setting where land, light and atmosphere continue to inspire sustained artistic engagement.”
Ojai Mystique hangs at the Ojai Valley Museum from April 17 to August 9. —
Ojai Mystique
April 17-August 9, 2026
Ojai Valley Museum
130 West Ojai Avenue
Ojai, CA 93023
www.ojaivalleymuseum.org
Powered by Froala Editor
