Oak Group Paintings Offer ‘Grace of the World’

More than 30 members of the Oak Group, a collection of landscape artists passionate about nature and committed to preserving local lands, will each exhibit a painting in “The Oak Group Presents the Grace of the World” from Nov. 21- Dec. 21 in the Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. Many of the artists will take part in a free public opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 4-6 pm in the museum. 

“I’ve always appreciated the work of the Oak Group artists,” says Judy L. Larson, Askew professor of art history and museum director. “They celebrate the splendor of nature in our coastal community and remind us to be protective and respectful of the pristine landscapes that surround us.”

All of the works in the exhibition are for sale with 10% of the proceeds supporting the museum and another 10% funding the publication of the Oak Group’s 40th anniversary catalogue. Oak artists paint beautiful, endangered landscapes to raise public awareness about threatened lands and to generate funds to help preserve them. The group has donated more than $3 million to more than 20 nonprofits to preserve open space.

The artists include: Meredith Brooks Abbott, Whitney Brooks Abbott, Marcia Burtt, Chris Chapman, John Comer, William B. Dewey, Rick Drake, Michael Drury, Karen Foster, Rick Garcia, Carrie Givens, Kevin Gleason, Whitney Brooks Hansen, Jeremy Harper, Kerri Hedden, Tom Henderson, Ray Hunter, John Iwerks, Larry Iwerks, Manny Lopez, William Mitchell, Linda Mutti, Hank Pitcher, Rob Robinson, Ann Sanders, Richard Schloss, Skip Smith, Ray Strong, Arturo Tello, Thomas Van Stein, Sarah Vedder, and John Wullbrandt. 

Tello and Strong came up with the idea to create O.A.K., which stands for Open Airing Club, in December 1985 and held three exhibitions in Santa Barbara the following year after adding seven members.