Ojai puts best 'Faces' forward
By Jesse Phelps

They say that the eyes are a window to the soul. Look around the valley this week and you'll find that the souls of Ojai are on display like never before. That's because "Faces of Ojai," a self-descriptive photography exhibit adorns the walls of businesses throughout town and it's a sometimes fascinating journey into the lives of our neighbors and ourselves.

Cowboys and the homeless. Wedding participants and children playing. The exhibit doesn't discriminate, highlighting all the wonderful facets of the people of our town. Those windows define the emotion of the human condition.

Start with a walk along the main drag. At Bank of America, locals stare out from the walls as their neighbors pack the teller lines. At The Oaks of Ojai, where works from professionals, including Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Welles, decorate the main hallway, the viewer will find passion, longing and playful joy.

Move down the street to Local Hero books, Ojai Pizza and the Ojai Coffee Roasting Co. Some of the best stuff in the entire exhibit comes from amateur photographers like Shayna Freeman and her group of 11 young contributors from the Ojai Valley youth Foundation. Ojai Pizza's exhibit is extensive, featuring these works and others from local amateurs.

At the Ojai Coffee Roasting Co., the exhibit is more focused. It details a year in the life of the business and its customers, candid shots of artists, intellectuals and coffee drinkers of all persuasions.
Next, go around the corner to Il Giardino and the Art Center. Now you're back into the professional realm. While some of the photos smack of advertising, many embody wonderful, inspired moments. And, of course, when you're looking at professional work, you'll find the composition, color and overall mastery brought out by the trained eye.

But this is an exhibit, says organizer Shed Behar, about the amateurs. Peoples' family photos comprise some of the most inspiring work along the way, as do candid shots of folks with their dogs.
The photos also adorn the walls of Ojai Creates, Los Padres Bank, Ojai Optical and Stir Crazy, which has a particularly nice professional exhibit.

As a celebration of the people of our town, the show accomplishes its mission. It's an opportunity to see some of our good friends highlighted in moments of clarity. It's an opportunity to see the photographic skills of both professionals and those with a less practiced eye. It's Ojai as can only be seen by Ojai.
© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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