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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.
Both locations were successful, but in August 2008 Hallie
and Stan decided to merge the two galleries to make life
easier. And so after 33 years in one building, the little
gallery moved in with HumanArts Home. The newly remodeled
larger store provides a spacious, bright and colorful
environment that really shows off the artwork to its
best advantage. A new chapter begins: HumanArts, more
than ever, continues to enchant all who enter! |