Santa Maria by Carmel DeWiess Photo provided

Over twenty local artists currently have artwork depicting life in Orinda on display at the Orinda Library Gallery to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the City's incorporation. The month-long exhibit, which includes more than sixty works featuring landscapes, historic buildings, and community settings throughout the City, will culminate with a reception on Saturday, October 2nd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This free event is open to the public and will have music by the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, wine (at $5 a glass), and hors d'oeuvres.

"We are pleased to be partnering with the City of Orinda to put on this special event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the city's incorporation and to feature the work of our local artists," says Sue Severson, a trustee of the Orinda Community Foundation. "Orindans really enjoy and support the arts, and the Library Gallery is a great venue to showcase it," she adds.

Several well-known Orinda artists have work on display including Allison McCrady, Mary Spain, and Rob Becker; neighboring artists such as George Ehrenhaft of Moraga and Margaret Lucas-Hill of Lafayette are participating too. The works, done in oil, acrylic, watercolor, and photography, capture all things Orinda including the ubiquitous hills in all seasons, color, and forms; landmark buildings such as Orinda Motors, Village Antiques, Loard's Ice Cream and Candies, and Santa Maria, St. Mary's, and Orinda Community churches; and everyday sights such as the BART station, the Orinda Theater marquis, and the more recent but oft-visited Starbucks. All the artwork is for sale, and the artists will donate a percentage of the sale proceeds to the Orinda Community Foundation.

"The Orinda Community Foundation was formed in February of this year in response to the city's declining revenues," says Severson. Historically, the City contributed about $25,000 to community events and programs, but with the economic downturn that financial support was completely eliminated creating the need for private fundraising, she explains. The Orinda Community Foundation will use proceeds from this event and other events held throughout the year to provide grants to support local events and programs.