Lynne Okun and the Art Barn

Lynne Okun

Rio Gozo Farm's Ventura CSA program has an underground vibe. Members arrive on Tuesdays and Fridays to pick up their veggies at the Art Barn on 856 Thompson Ave, and they are transported into Lynne's secret garden. It is like heading into another world- walk down the driveway and squeeze through the narrow path between giant lavender and tiny apple trees, go past an outdoor bread oven toward the turquoise barn decorated by the bones of art projects scattered around and tucked in hidden places. It's fun to go there and let your eyes wander the beautiful backyard permaculture site Lynne developed with the help of friends and WOOFers through the years. You never know what you'll find, sometimes Lynne is offering Circus Yoga, hosting a Birthday Party or a free after school Kid's Arts class, enjoying a coffee tasting, or throwing a concert in the barn.

Who is this magical woman?

Lynne Okun, involved with pretty much everything, has been an active part of Ventura's community for the past 12 years. When I mention the Art Barn or Lynne's name, people know who I'm talking about- they've been to one of her events. She is a registered Art Therapist and the executive director of Kids Arts since 2001. She has been directly involved with Ventura's youth and theVentura County Rainbow Alliance.

The creativity in Lynne and her Kids Arts program is aligned with our farm. An example of one of her programs was called The Basics:

Each week they focused on a specific activity: Cooking, Sewing, Building and Growing. The cooking segment included discussions and activities around where food comes from, how we choose what we eat, and actually planning and cooking food together. The sewing/fiber arts activities included how to repair clothes that need buttons, hems, patches or “bling” and sent the youth home with the challenge of a small knitting or sewing project. They also explored how we make choices about what to wear, talking about personal style and how we present ourselves through the art of dressing every day. The third segment put gross motor skills to the test, and gave the youth basic skills in carpentry–they designed and built kitchen planter boxes which lead to the final skill set, creating a small kitchen garden for herbs and veggies.

Click on Kid's Arts for more information