In the summer of 1975 three dedicated couples (pioneers!) opened Running Ridge Gallery in the Ojai Valley. The Farnhams, Grabowskis and Spencers were interested in showing their own work - paintings, sculpture and jewelry, and others' art too. At that time the area was known for it's oranges and avocados, not the chic shops, galleries and trendy eateries of today. The appreciation of fine crafts was just beginning to spread across the country.

Sharon and Jett Spencer became friends with Hallie and Stan Katz, who had a gallery and jewelry school in Studio City, in the L.A. area. Many common interests were shared among the Running Ridge partners and the Katzes. When the Spencers wanted to leave Ojai, Bob and Barbara Grabowski and Ruth and John Farnham invited Hallie and Stan to become partners with them.

Leave L.A. and go to Paradise? It took exactly 15 minutes for Hallie and Stan to decide. They sold their jewelry school, rented out their house, and moved to Ojai! They worked in the gallery with their partners, who became their Ojai family. They developed an extensive line of jewelry and exhibited at national juried craft shows for over 13 years.

In 1991 the Farnhams wanted to pursue other interests, and the Grabowskis had moved to Idaho, so it was agreed, Hallie and Stan would keep the gallery as sole owners. They took on the legacy and made it their own with a new name: HumanArts! The serene little valley WAS starting to be noticed, and the momentum was in place as they marched forward, offering the most unique jewelry and artwork to a loyal local following and visitors alike. In 1993 the gallery's success gave them the courage to open HumanArts Home, 8 doors west, to show furniture, home accessories and larger works of art.