ON THIS ISLAND
May 9- June 8, 2025
Artist Open House Friday, May 9
5:30 – 8 PM (All are welcome!)
Stop by the Brooks Theater Gallery between 5:30–8 PM for a mellow evening of art, conversation, and community. The Artist Open House on Friday, May 9th celebrates NHPI Heritage Month. The artwork in the ON THIS ISLAND exhibition showcases the rich culture, art, and heritage of Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti and the many other Pacific Islands represented in the diverse communities of Oceanside.
Everyone of all ages is welcome to enjoy some tasty Island treats, watch a guest artist at work, chat with artists, and savor the amazing artwork. Drop in between 5:30 – 8 pm to this free event and discover the beauty of the Pacific Islands.
Featured Artists
Nancy-Jo Klaphaak (She/Her)
Island’s Glory, Giant Kelp, and Island Treasures
Nancy-Jo has degrees in art from both Skidmore College and Stanford University. She studied during her junior year in Mexico and took post-graduate classes at Art Center College Of Design. Additionally, she has taken workshops with well known artists from around the world. Her art has earned numerous awards and can be found in collections both locally and abroad. Nancy has experience as an illustrator and designer, in addition to teaching her passion for art.
Chris Strode (She/Her)
Hula Kane
Chris’s creative journey includes work as a stained glass artist, graphic designer, and gallery artist (displaying pieces in galleries throughout southern California). The influences of spending almost two decades living and surfing in the Hawaiian Islands are still visible in Chris’s capturing of the energy and beauty of both nature and the Aloha culture.
Ellie Havel Thomas (She/Her)
Jumping Dolphins and Hibiscus
Having been accepted into many juried shows, Ellie Havel Thomas has become and award-winning plein air and abstract artist. Being accomplished in watercolor, acrylic and oil, she has paintings in numerous private collections in the United States and abroad. Whether it is landscapes, seascapes or abstract subject matter, Ellie is excited equally by them all, deriving much of her inspiration from the great masters.
Kimberly DeCew (She/Her)
Playing With Fire
Kim DeCew is a Southern California native whose interest in photography started in childhood. It wasn’t until after raising her own children that she committed time to pursuing her passion for the art form. She enjoys challenging herself shooting various types of subjects, and is always looking for the next thing to catch her eye!
Judy Judy Judy (She/Her)
Silk Lounge and Wind Song
Judy Judy is a clasically trained painter, utilizing oil and acrylic mediums. She studied with master painters in the United States and Europe. She enjoys working in her studio creating new works of art and traveling to art workshops around the world. Her work has been in many juried shows in the United States and numerous exhibits in Paris, France.