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ODA was Founded
in June 2001and is a Chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters. Our Mission is to Stimulate Interest in and Appreciation for Decorative Painting. |
Ocala Decorative Artists (ODA) is a chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters. Our first meeting was in 2001; we received our charter from the Society in 2002. We started as a small group, mostly strangers, united only by our shared interest in decorative painting. The only other thing we had in common is that we all lived in the beautiful rolling hills and horse country of central Florida.
We have come a long way since then. We have monthly meetings with interesting classes, seminars with travel teachers a few times a year, and several other events that revolve around our love of art. We are widely diverse in style and taste, shape
and size, but we have our painting passion in common. Friendships have been made that will endure the rest of our lives and we have discovered that many of us have more in common than the search for the perfect brush.
We support several charities. We paint Memory Boxes for the infant bereavement
program that is operated by Tole Friends. Parents who have lost a baby at birth or shortly after are given the box for whatever mementos they may have of their child. Unfortunately, there is a large need for this program. ODA paints more than 100 Memory Boxes a year. www.memoryboxes.org. At present we are supporting 3 hospitals.
We paint shoe or photo storage boxes for the Treasure Box program. Treasure Boxes are given to children in long term hospital care. The boxes, painted with age appropriate motifs, are given to them to keep. The boxes fit into their bedside nightstands, and are filled with their personal treasures.
Women in domestic violence shelters often leave home with nothing but the clothes they are wearing and have no toiletries or cosmetics. ODA paints small tote bags and fills them with cologne, lipstick and similar personal items. These women need these little things that can boost their battered self-esteem and help them feel able to face the world again.
We are also involved with a local therapeutic riding center called Stirrups and Strides who provide therapeutic horseback riding to anyone with physical, mental and emotional challenges. We paint chairs for their annual fundraising auction, “From Seats to Saddles”.
We have come a long way since then. We have monthly meetings with interesting classes, seminars with travel teachers a few times a year, and several other events that revolve around our love of art. We are widely diverse in style and taste, shape
and size, but we have our painting passion in common. Friendships have been made that will endure the rest of our lives and we have discovered that many of us have more in common than the search for the perfect brush.
We support several charities. We paint Memory Boxes for the infant bereavement
program that is operated by Tole Friends. Parents who have lost a baby at birth or shortly after are given the box for whatever mementos they may have of their child. Unfortunately, there is a large need for this program. ODA paints more than 100 Memory Boxes a year. www.memoryboxes.org. At present we are supporting 3 hospitals.
We paint shoe or photo storage boxes for the Treasure Box program. Treasure Boxes are given to children in long term hospital care. The boxes, painted with age appropriate motifs, are given to them to keep. The boxes fit into their bedside nightstands, and are filled with their personal treasures.
Women in domestic violence shelters often leave home with nothing but the clothes they are wearing and have no toiletries or cosmetics. ODA paints small tote bags and fills them with cologne, lipstick and similar personal items. These women need these little things that can boost their battered self-esteem and help them feel able to face the world again.
We are also involved with a local therapeutic riding center called Stirrups and Strides who provide therapeutic horseback riding to anyone with physical, mental and emotional challenges. We paint chairs for their annual fundraising auction, “From Seats to Saddles”.
In Memory of our dear member Harriet P. Conner...
CONNER, HARRIET P., 78
Ocala -
Harriet P. Conner 78, of Ocala, FL went to be with her
Lord on Tuesday,
September 27, 2011 from MRMC Emergency Center at TimberRidge.
Born May 2,
1933, Mrs. Conner was the daughter of Harry P. Conner and Lucy E.
(Holmes)
Conner of New York. Mrs. Conner was a Correctional Officer with over 30
years of service with the Department of Corrections for the State of Florida.
Mrs. Conner was also a pilot, and truck driver. She lived on her sailboat
in
Long Island Sound prior to moving to Florida. She was a member of Grand
View
Church of Dunnellon, and a member of Ocala Decorative Artist, and
Manatee Haven
Decorative Artist of Crystal River. Mrs. Conner was a Past
Worthy Matron of the
Eastern Star, and the Scottish Society of North
Central Florida. She enjoyed
traveling, and making ceramics. Harriet is
survived by her daughter Sewanhaka C.
Rotger of South Carolina, two nephews
John Conner of Florida, and Bruce Conner
of Texas, and many Decorative Art
friends, and her extended family of friends
from Grand View Church and
Meadowbrook Church. Mrs. Conner is predeceased by her
parents and her
brother John Conner, Sr. Memorial Service for Mrs. Conner will
be Tuesday,
October 4, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at Grand View Church, 12401 S.W. Hwy
484,
Dunnellon, FL with Pastor James Watts officiating. Arrangements by
Hiers-Baxley TimberRidge Chapel, Ocala, FL. Condolences may be posted to
Hiers-Baxley.com.
Published in Ocala Star-Banner from October 2 to
October 3, 2011
Ocala -
Harriet P. Conner 78, of Ocala, FL went to be with her
Lord on Tuesday,
September 27, 2011 from MRMC Emergency Center at TimberRidge.
Born May 2,
1933, Mrs. Conner was the daughter of Harry P. Conner and Lucy E.
(Holmes)
Conner of New York. Mrs. Conner was a Correctional Officer with over 30
years of service with the Department of Corrections for the State of Florida.
Mrs. Conner was also a pilot, and truck driver. She lived on her sailboat
in
Long Island Sound prior to moving to Florida. She was a member of Grand
View
Church of Dunnellon, and a member of Ocala Decorative Artist, and
Manatee Haven
Decorative Artist of Crystal River. Mrs. Conner was a Past
Worthy Matron of the
Eastern Star, and the Scottish Society of North
Central Florida. She enjoyed
traveling, and making ceramics. Harriet is
survived by her daughter Sewanhaka C.
Rotger of South Carolina, two nephews
John Conner of Florida, and Bruce Conner
of Texas, and many Decorative Art
friends, and her extended family of friends
from Grand View Church and
Meadowbrook Church. Mrs. Conner is predeceased by her
parents and her
brother John Conner, Sr. Memorial Service for Mrs. Conner will
be Tuesday,
October 4, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at Grand View Church, 12401 S.W. Hwy
484,
Dunnellon, FL with Pastor James Watts officiating. Arrangements by
Hiers-Baxley TimberRidge Chapel, Ocala, FL. Condolences may be posted to
Hiers-Baxley.com.
Published in Ocala Star-Banner from October 2 to
October 3, 2011
