The Lamorinda Arts Council (Council) presents the work of members of The Oakland Art Association at the in-person and virtual exhibit at the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library from June 1-30.  Meet the artists at a reception in their honor on Sat. June 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. where light refreshments will be served. All COVID-19 precautions observed for your health and safety. View and purchase their artwork online at www.lamorindaarts.org/online-galleries/.

Maya Angelou said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Members of the Oakland Art Association (OAA) fulfill this creative promise because they ‘keep using it.’ The Lamorinda Arts Council presents artwork from many of the 50 creative OAA members during the month of June in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library.

The OAA is celebrating 65 years as a nonprofit organization funded by its members and patrons. Their two-fold mission is to offer public venues for members to show and sell their art and to support art education in the East Bay. According to Jenifer Kolkhorst, curator of the show, “This is our favorite place to exhibit, and everyone is excited to be here. We really value our opportunity to show here – it’s a real gem in Orinda.””

The Board of Directors meets monthly and pre-pandemic held a yearly member potluck at the Highland Country Club. At press time the list of artists showing work was incomplete but includes Rohilah Cohen, Marie Cotter, Jenifer Kolkhorst, Julia Montrond, President Rick Nelson, S. Newman, Rosemary Therkelson and Nancy Vachani. The juried show includes 2D and 3D artwork encompassing many genres including ceramics, portraits, figurative and abstract paintings. Therkelson’s 22” x 30” “On the Windowsill” watercolor breathes spring bulbs and flowers into life.

Kolkhorst said, “I joined OAA back in 2007 after seeing their show at this Gallery. I had a favorite artist in that show, saw how great the Gallery was,  and the work from the Oakland group inspired me to join.” To learn more about the Oakland Art Association visit www.oaklandart.org/, call 925.989.0183 for art sales information and email Kolkhorst with general questions at jkolkhorst@comcast.net.

The mission of the Council is to ignite and sustain artistic expression and appreciation for all ages throughout Lamorinda. If you are interested in visual, performing or literary arts, please join us in keeping the arts alive. We are an engaged group of volunteers and donors who develop and produce events, partner with professional organizations and artists, give financial support and awards, and advocate for a vibrant, local culture of visual, performing, and literary arts.

In addition to curating two galleries in Orinda with new artwork every month (Art Gallery at the Orinda Gallery & Art Gallery at Wilder), here is a sample of other programs we offer: Lamorinda Idol, High School Visual Arts Competition, Art Embraces Words, Artify Orinda, and Lamorinda Super Shorts. If you are interested in exhibiting artwork in one of our galleries please apply online HERE.

To learn more about the Council go to www.lamorindaarts.org. This exhibit runs June 1 – 30 during normal Library hours in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library at 26 Orinda Way. Hours are Mon. – Thur., 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., closed Sun. Call 925.254.2184 for more information about the Library or visit www.ccclib.org/. Email the Curators with questions at gallery@lamorindaarts.org or call the Lamorinda Arts Council at 925.359.9940.