On June 2 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Spore Space and the Ojai Studio Artists are excited to celebrate and showcase the work by this year's Ojai Studio Artists youth scholarship program grantees.

Organized by the OSA Scholarship Committee, the focus of this year’s program is Junior and Senior art students at the Nordhoff High School in the Ojai Valley. The OSA worked closely with Nordhoff teachers and students, and was able to distribute $7,000 in awards this year. This funding is dedicated to student's tuition and art supplies in addition to being a meaningful show of encouragement and support for fledgling Ojai artists beginning their creative careers.

In 1993, OSA initiated its youth scholarship program funded by proceeds from the tour tickets, raffle/auction sales, sponsorships, donations and grants. To date, OSA has given $281,000 in scholarship awards to promising art students at the high school and college levels as part of its art education outreach program in the Ojai Valley. Funds are also used to purchase art books for local libraries, to partner with schools by teaching classes and mentoring students, and to support public art projects and other community art needs.

As a fledgling space itself, Spore Space is thrilled to display the works of the awarded Nordhoff scholars and support our fellow Ojai artists. The awarded scholars on display include:

Amma Sullivan
Acacia Lopez
Gage De La O
McKenna Turner
Natalie Sojka
Rebecca Rosales
Zinnia Busch Dubouchron

For further information about OSA, scholarships, how to donate, and the annual October studio tour, go to ojaistudioartists.org/outreach.

All photos by Cindy Burton