(Santa Ana, Calif.) – Admire the creativity of local artists at Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries art exhibit, now on display at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.). 

The collection is made up of 110 original paintings from more than 50 local artists featuring unique art depicting diverse scenes of nature and life in Southern California, cityscapes, florals and more. The exhibit is hosted by OC Parks, in partnership with Southern California Plein Air Painters Association (SOCALPAPA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the tradition of plein air painting. The collection will include plein air pieces and original artwork of all sizes across a variety of mediums including oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic and more. Gallery artwork is available for purchase, with sales going directly to the artists. 

“The exhibit highlights both the beauty of Orange County and the many diverse perspectives that talented local artists bring to our communities,” said Vicente Sarmiento, Second District Supervisor. “Having a dedicated space at the historic Orange County Courthouse is a great way to honor their work, highlight their passion, and create new connections through art.”

Plein air, the French term for “open air,” is the practice of painting outside which provides artists a dynamic artistic experience to capture the spirit and essence of subjects while being outdoors. In addition to focusing on plein-air painting, SOCALPAPA aims to bring artists together, promoting arts education and supporting local conservation efforts that protect our natural landscape.

Members’ paintings are also on display year-round in the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center located at OC Parks’ Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve. The artwork in the center often illustrates parks, wilderness areas and coastal spaces, similarly to what is showcased in the Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries exhibit.

Admission to Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries exhibit is free and open to view at the Old Orange County Courthouse gallery Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through April 3. Metered parking is available at the on-site lot and surrounding street parking. Additional parking is available at lot P8 (301 W. 5th Street). Parking fees apply.

For information about Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries art exhibit and the Old Orange County Courthouse, please visit ocparks.com/historic-sites/old-orange-county-courthouse.

Read this release in:

• Chinese-Traditional
• Korean
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

###

OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

*This program takes places at Clark Regional Park, 8800 Rosecrans Ave., Buena Park, CA 90621*

The OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program encourages park guests to explore the outdoor world within OC Parks by developing a sense of belonging, becoming a part of nature and feeling empowered to be stewards of Orange County’s natural and cultural resources.

Participants will explore Clark Regional Park, complete activities and take the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Oath to earn a unique Jr. Ranger badge.

We will meet in front of the Interpretive Center and take a half-mile walk through geologic time.

This program is designed for ages 7 to 12, but all are welcome.

Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the program. Sunscreen, sturdy footwear and water are recommended.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. Inclement weather will cancel the program.

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here. 

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Sarah Hoemke at sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com

Learn more about the OC Parks Jr. Ranger Program.
 

Come along for the fun, we’re going on a paleo run! Don’t be late, it won’t be drab – we’re going to look for shells and crab!

Join us for a guided tour of the Clark Regional Park hillside fossil bed, followed by a trip to the Interpretive Center. Closed-toe shoes are required due to uneven terrain, and sun protection and water are recommended.

The program will begin next to parking lot A and then we will walk north across Rosecrans Avenue to visit the fossil bed. After the hillside exploration we will return to the south side of Rosecrans Avenue and view the fossil exhibits at the Interpretive Center.

Advance registration is required for all participants. Learn more and register here.

Participants age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. 

Rain or heat advisory may cancel this program. 

Enjoy a morning at Clark Regional Park and learn about the rocks around us! Participants will visit the Interpretive Center, listen to a story, take a short walk in the park and make a geology themed craft. Activities are designed for ages 2 to 6 but all are welcome.

The program will begin in front of the Interpretive Center.

Minors age 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

Advance registration is required. Space is limited; parents must register themselves and each child. Learn more and register here.

This program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Learn about native, introduced and invasive plants and join us as we work toward restoring healthy habitat areas at Clark Regional Park by managing and expanding the garden as conditions permit. Experience the satisfaction of weeding invasive plants and observing our local biodiversity as it grows!

The program will begin in parking lot H and the activity will take place within a quarter mile of the parking lot. No experience is necessary, and all tools will be provided. Be prepared to remove weeds using hand tools or to spread mulch. Long sleeves and pants, closed-toe shoes, sun protection and water are recommended.

Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Learn more and register here.

Minors 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. 

For questions or group registration, please email Resource Specialist Sarah Hoemke at sarah.hoemke@ocparks.com or call (714) 973-6671.

Rain or heat advisory may cancel this program.

Enter a world of creativity and make nature-themed crafts and artwork with your little ones. We’ll exclusively use Earth-friendly materials that have either been found in nature, reused from ordinary daily products, or have been responsibly sourced. "Sphere" not, an enjoyable new project will be planned for each program!  

This program begins at the visitor center. Please wear closed-toe shoes and sun protection, and bring snacks and water. 

Participants 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. Carpooling, walking or biking is encouraged due to limited on-site parking. 

Inclement weather may cancel this program. 

*This program begins at Aliso Viejo Community Park, 150 Cedarbrook, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656*

Join OC Parks and Laguna Canyon Foundation at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park as we learn and work together to create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call Aliso Creek home.

Depending on the time of year, volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities including removing non-native plants, hand watering, seed collection and/or planting of native plants. No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided. Please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes and sun protection and bring water. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program and parking are free. Limited street parking is available nearby.

Rain or muddy trail conditions may cancel this program. 

For questions call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends. 

*This program begins at Canyon View Park, 22144 Canyon Vistas, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 *

Please be aware this is a fitness hike and not for beginners; the pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. 

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers to raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 8.25-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. Please note there is some rock scrambling involved in this hike. 

Please arrive 10 minutes early as the program beings promptly at 8:30 a.m.

Participants must be 16 or older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

The program and parking are free. Limited street parking is available nearby. 

Please review safety precautions and protocols when registering. 

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends.

*This program begins at Canyon View Park, 22144 Canyon Vistas, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656*

Explore Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park where you might see deer, bobcats and hawks. Learn about acorn woodpeckers, the wonderful ways of woodrats and the peculiar nature of certain plants. Enjoy wildlife sounds, smells and sights on this moderate 5-mile hike on rocky terrain with less than 500 feet of elevation gain. 

Participants must be 16 or older. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. 

The program and parking are free. Limited street parking is available nearby.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather may cancel this program. 

For questions, call 949-497-8324 on weekdays or 949-923-2200 on weekends. 

Unplug and relax outdoors on a nature meditation walk through Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 

Allow your natural sense of wonder to engage in playful activities, deepening connections with the outside world and ourselves during this guided program. 

The program will begin at the visitor center and includes a brief walk and tea ceremony of reciprocity. Please note this activity involves making and drinking tea from sustainably sourced native plants and participants are asked to notify park staff upon arrival of any food allergies or sensitivities. Please wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection and bring water. 

Advanced registration required. Learn more and register here.

This program is designed for ages 10 and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. 

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the program.