The Thomas fire, which started on the evening of December 4th is now the largest in California History and still active in Santa Barbara County. The first phase of the Thomas Fire Artist Recovery Fund is to gather more information about the impact the fire has had on our creative communities, as well as the scope of need. As members of the Ojai and Ventura communities are now being allowed back to assess the damage, we thought this would be a good time to begin reaching out to determine the scope of impact. At the end of 2017, we will determine a fundraising goal based on the information we gather. As we actively reach out with our existing networks, we ask that anyone who may be affected or know those affected to complete a very short questionnaire. The questionnaire is attached, and may be found online at: www.porchgalleryojai.com/thomas-fire-artist-recovery-fund

The second phase of the Thomas Fire Artist Recovery Fund will be two-fold: a matched fundraising campaign led by the Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation, including a public program of free and ticketed events, and a fundraising art exhibition hosted by Porch Gallery Ojai featuring art works donated to benefit the Fund.

Please save the following dates for the Thomas Fire Artist Recovery Benefit Exhibition: February 1 – March 11, 2018. A public opening reception will be held on Saturday, February 3 from 5-7pm. Complete list of participating artists to be released in January 2018.

About the Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation:
The Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation, a 501(c)3 public arts organization, was founded in 2015 by family and friends of esteemed art patron and private art dealer Carolyn Glasoe Bailey. Currently based in Ojai, the Foundation is committed to the welfare of artists and advocates for life-long art learning beginning in elementary school. Current programs include unrestricted cash grants for artists, funding for arts education initiatives, an artist residency program in Ojai, CA, as well as a series of public programs and events including a podcast artist conversation series available on iTunes.

About Porch Gallery Ojai:
The Porch Gallery Ojai is located in a historic building in downtown Ojai at 310 E. Matilija Street. Porch Girls Productions, owned by Heather Stobo and Lisa Casoni, officially took over management of the gallery in May of 2013. Porch Gallery represents emerging and established contemporary artists and produces artistic events throughout the Ojai Valley.

Press contacts:
Frederick Janka, Executive Director, Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation
fjanka@carolynglasoebaileyfoundation.org or 646.334.1006
248 South Montgomery Suite A, Ojai, CA 93023

Lisa Casoni or Heather Stobo, Porch Gallery Ojai
info@porchgalleryojai.com
310 E. Matilija Ave, Ojai, CA 93023, Ojai, CA 93023
805-620-7589