Ojai, CA - The Ojai Art Center’s 35th annual Libbey Park art extravaganza “Art in the Park” closes at five but Alive After 5 will just be beginning. Saturday night, May 26, twenty-four businesses, restaurants, and galleries including the Ojai Valley Museum will stay open with receptions for local artists, a trunk show, wine tasting, art demos, refreshments and live music during an art walk in downtown Ojai.

Alive After 5 will have something for everyone. Don’t miss this rare occasion to celebrate the spirit of creativity, observe the local art scene, and enjoy the special ambience of Ojai after hours from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. In the spirit of collaboration the Ojai Art Center and The Ojai Village Merchants Committee invite you to this free event expanding art opportunities and featuring this veritable cornucopia of happenings:

To start things off the Ojai Valley Museum will throw open its doors for free, offering guided tours by Museum Director Michele Pracy and docents which include its new exhibit: the 10th anniversary show for Ojai Studio Artists, entitled “Hang 10.”

Just down the street, artist Dan Schultz, owner of Dan Schultz Fine Art Gallery, will unveil his newest Ojai landscape paintings. Around the corner, Made in Ojai Artisans & Mercantile gallery will host “Made in Musoma,” a trunk show celebrating the gallery’s sister co-op in Tanzania, and work by member artists with a reception and live music.

Trowbridge Gallery presents an exhibit of the gallery’s former owner, plein-aire artist Jeff Sojka, while next door Nomad Gallery features the work of owner and artist Leslie Clark. She will be discussing her humanitarian work with nomadic tribes in Africa, and introduce a new collection from India.

A short walk across the street, Kate Hoffman’s paintings are on display at Down Home Furnishings, and Busy Babes Beauty will offer a pamper yourself mini-facial or makeup consultation for $10, chair massage for $1 per minute, or you can get your bangs trimmed for free by their stylists! Continuing the beauty theme cross the street again to the New Leaf Skin Care, a hip skin care boutique and spa, and indulge in a make-up experience with Jane Iredale’s luxurious and healthy line of products.

You’ll be tapping your toes to the music at HumanArts Gallery as they host the lively bluegrass band, the Space Invaders. With nationally known Mark Parson on fiddle, Chris Cairns on banjo, Lee Rollag on guitar, and Stan Gonzales on upright bass, the band will play on until 7:00 p.m. If you can tear yourself away, please check out all the new art inside the gallery.

Then mosey on over to the new shop in town, Danski Art Clothing, featuring all handmade garments, jackets and beautiful adornments for special occasions. Or check out White Sparrow, a unique boutique, and take 20% off one regular priced item, while enjoying Kyle Swan serenading customers on guitar.

You won’t want to miss Kava Home and Plush Surroundings for beautiful interior design inspiration; Kindred Spirit and Love Heals for body adornment and jewelry; Ojai Terrain, Rains, or Treasures of Ojai for art, essentials, and great finds.

To compliment all the art you’ll be feasting on, Soul Centered offers some auditory art with a free concert from 5:30-7:00 p.m. featuring Bob Ryman, a world-class violinist, treating listeners to the sounds of Mozart, Vivaldi, and more.

As you wander, stop and taste some of the finest local wines available at two highly praised wineries: Casa Barranca highlights their notable organic wines in the sophisticated atmosphere of their tasting room, and Ojai Vineyard features the work of plein-aire painter Susan Guy, and is offering a ‘two-for-one’ deal on tasting their award winning wines.

You’ll need more sustenance after the wine and an evening of art and enlightening experiences, so stop in at The Feast Bistro or La Fonte and follow it up with a multitude of coffee and tea choices at Ojai Coffee Roasting Co.

Come downtown and join us for a summer evening stroll, it’s easy and it’s free. Just pick up an Art Walk map directing you to all the after hour festivities at Art in the Park’s main Libbey Park headquarters, or at any participating business. Hope to see you there.

For information call HumanArts Gallery 805 646-1525.