Ojai Micro Gallery
About six months ago, I came across a micro gallery online and was instantly inspired. The idea stuck with me. Like most things in my life, I moved slowly at first—feeling it out, seeing if it was meant to be. But once I started moving on it, things came together surprisingly quickly, as if the idea had been waiting for me to say yes.
From design to build to installation, this has been such a special project. I wanted the structure to reflect my own aesthetic (inspired by Sea Ranch architecture), but more importantly, I wanted it to feel approachable. Galleries can sometimes feel… well, a little too precious. I wanted OMG to feel like the opposite. A place of curiosity and joy, right there on the street.
Since the beginning, I’ve pictured kids on their tippy toes, peeking in the windows, pointing at the art, or maybe even showing their own work here one day. If I had seen something like this as a kid, I know it would’ve lit a spark in me. Art is a form of freedom, and I want everyone to feel that.
At its heart, OMG is about community. I love this town and the people in it. My hope is that this tiny gallery creates a small but meaningful moment of connection for anyone who passes by.
The plan is to feature a new exhibition every couple of months. To kick things off, the first show is my own fine art photography. If you’d like to follow along and see what’s next, give us a follow over at @ojaimicrogallery—all the info is there.
A huge thank you to Johnny for building this incredible space, to Max and Charlotte for offering a central location where everyone can enjoy the work, and to Michelle for her constant encouragement and support throughout the entire process. Couldn’t have done it without you.
See more at @ojaimicrogallery.