Rodrigo Ormachea

October of last year my father and myself were granted access to @taftgardens as the 9 month artists in residence. I focused on continuing my ceramic practice while Hugo pushed his metalsmithing into not a new context. While we will be pushing to create work till the last minute here is a small glimpse into our work. We are also in GREAT company of 6 other artists who will be showing along with us! Please reach out if you have any questions! We hope to see you at the gardens! ⭐ Evening Fundraiser & Exhibition Openings Saturday, June 6th | 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 🌿 $250 per ticket 🌿 Meet the artists and explore seven site-specific installations throughout the Studio Garden. 🌿 Experience roaming culinary stations by Chef Ryan Beckfeld and Seasons Catering. 🌿 Support our non-profit through a raffle for special Taft Gardens experiences and enjoy presentations about the 2025-26 Artists in Residence. ⭐ Free Daytime Exhibition Openings Monday, June 8th | 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. 🌿 Meet the artists and explore seven site-specific installations throughout the Studio Garden. 🌿 Access is timed entry and ticketed by car (meaning you can bring as many people as can fit in your vehicle). Enjoy this community event generously funded by a grant from the Ojai Arts Commission. 🌿 Ticket Info: Links for both the Evening Fundraiser and the Free Opening Exhibition go live on May 6th at 9 a.m. Access them on our website under the “Events” tab. 9-MONTH RESIDENCY Rodrigo Ormachea @rormache with Hugo Ormachea @ormacheajewelry Son and Father, Ceramicist and Metalsmith from Ventura 1-MONTH INVITATIONAL RESIDENCY Russell Crotty @russellcrottystudio Visual Artist from Ojai 9-MONTH RESEARCH NON-STUDIO RESIDENCIES Summer van Houten summervanhouten Analog Photo-Based Artist from Ojai Alicia Morris Soto @alislala Children’s Book Author from Ojai 1-MONTH STUDIO RESIDENCIES Tom Pazderka @tompazderka Painter and Writer from Ojai Emily Thomas MaHarry @em_thomas_maharry Painter and Printmaker from Ojai Carol Shaw-Sutton carolshawsutton Fiber Artist from Ojai Photos : Self & Mikael Jorgensen @mikaeljorgensen

🌈Hey fam! We are so excited for our BIPOC + 2SLGBTQIA+ Panel Discussion during the Friday Sessions at SNAG x Detroit Conference at @waynestate On Friday, June 12th, join @queermetalsmiths co-founder @powerfulinpinkbytlc along with guest jurors @meeshthegreat and @rormache alongside guest artists as we discuss the 2026 In Focus exhibition. . ✨In Focus is a curated digital showcase dedicated to spotlighting BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ artists from underappreciated communities who are redefining the future of jewelry and metalsmithing. It will be featured as a digital showcase during the 2026 conference with a selection of works displayed in person. The exhibition will also live in a permanent virtual gallery on both the Queer Metalsmiths and SNAG websites. . ✨This year’s theme, Labor & Legacy, explores jewelry and metalwork as both practice and inheritance. Looking forward to sharing and connecting in Detroit! . ✨Head over to @snagmetalsmith to learn more and register for the conference . . #queermetalsmiths #snagmetalsmith #infocus2026 #snagconference2026

✨ 🌵 📣 🎟️ Tickets are officially LIVE for the 6th Annual Art in Nature Residency Exhibition & Fundraiser! These events celebrate the deep relationship between humans and their environment through site-specific installations in and around the Studio Garden ✨ EVENING FUNDRAISER DINNER & OPENING Saturday, June 6th 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Join us for an immersive evening under the canopy. -Experience: Meet our 2025/26 Artists in Residence and explore seven site-specific installations. -Taste: Roaming culinary stations by Chef Ryan Beckfeld and Seasons Catering. -Support: Participate in our raffle for exclusive Taft experiences to support our non-profit mission. -Tickets: $250 (Available now!) 🌵 FREE COMMUNITY DAYTIME OPENING Monday, June 8th 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. A gift to our community, generously funded by the Ojai Arts Commission. -Entry: Free, but timed entry is required. -Note: Tickets are booked by car: load up your vehicle and bring the whole family! 📣 FEATURING THE 2025/26 RESIDENTS: We are honored to showcase the work of: Rodrigo & Hugo Ormachea @rormache & @ormacheajewelry Russell Crotty @russellcrottystudio Carol Shaw-Sutton @carolshawsutton Emily Thomas MaHarry @em_thomas_maharry Tom Pazderka @tompazderka Summer van Houten @summervanhouten Alicia Morris Soto @alislala Graphic Design by @lulusandhaus Photos by @mikaeljorgensen 🎟️ HOW TO BOOK: Visit the "Events" tab on our website or click the link in our bio to book your Fundraiser tickets for Saturday or a free car pass for Monday. #TaftGardens #ArtInNature #OjaiEvents #SupportTheArts #CaliforniaNature #SiteSpecificArt #OjaiArtCommission

We’re so excited about the response for vol. 3 of In Focus: BIPOC/2SLGBTQIA+ Digital Exhibition in partnership with @snagmetalsmith showcased digitally during the SNAG x Detroit conference (June 9th-13th) and virtually on the SNAG and Queer Metalsmiths websites. . If you’re attending the conference, we will also be hosting an in person exhibition highlight in Adorned Spaces. We invite you to join QM co-founder Tracey Carswell @powerfulinpinkbytlc jurors Meesh Flowers @meeshthegreat and Rodrigo Ormachea @rormache for a special panel discussion June 12th on the main stage. . Congratulations to all of our exhibiting artists! . Amy Liu, Andrew Thornton, Atlas Dearborn, Azita Mireshghi, Charlie Gelhausen, Christopher Hughes, Chun An Huai, Cindy Fong, Corey Wolffs, Curtis Arima, Esteban Erosky, Hansel Tai, Harley Hudson, Helios Heartstar, Kai Hill, Kajal Ramrup, Kristin Morales, Lauren Anabela Beaudoin, Lauren Darrouzet, Maggie MacKenzie, Mia Ferraro, Minerva Mullally, Nanette Pengelley, Natalia Rodarte, Olivia Boi, Ora Younis, Pavonis Giron, Reggie Davis, Ryan Seng, S Sanchez, Sadie Malks, Sophia Portolese, Ursula Stuart, Vega Vosbek, Xiaohan Wu, Zan Emerson . . #queermetalsmiths #snagmetalsmith #infocus2026 #snagconference2026

A warm thank you to the Ojai Valley News @ojaivalleynews and Mimi Walker for covering the Taft Gardens Art in Nature Residency, 2025/26 Season. The 6th Annual Art in Nature Exhibition Openings and Annual Fundraiser is coming up! 🌿 Tickets go on sale May 6th at 9am. 🌿 Evening Fundraiser & Exhibition Openings are on Saturday, June 6th, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 🌿 Free Daytime Exhibition Openings Monday, June 8th, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Article Mentions: Cassandra C. Jones @jpegmountain Jaide Whitman @jaidaemae Alicia Morris Soto @alislala Summer van Houten @summervanhouten Rodrigo Ormachea @rormache Hugo Ormachea @ormacheajewelry Russell Crotty @russellcrottystudio Tom Pazderka @tompazderka Emily Thomas MaHarry @em_thomas_maharry Carol Shaw-Sutton @carolshawsutton Photos by Mikael Jorgensen @mikaeljorgensen

🌿 Our nine-month Art in Nature residency was awarded to Rodrigo and Hugo Ormachea, the team behind Ventura’s Ormachea Jewelry. Representing the third and fourth generations of their family’s metal smithing lineage, Rodrigo applied at Taft Gardens to work in tandem with his father and deliberately blend their individual practices. Their residency provided a unique environment to experiment with the intersection of two distinct mediums, combining Rodrigo’s established ceramic practice of large-scale sculptural clay forms with Hugo’s wearable jewelry design, which they traditionally make in-store. The works they have been evolving in their residency since October 2025 draw inspiration from the structural complexity of the garden, translating the irregular curved spires of the Australian Grass Trees, the clever geometry of various seed pods, and the towering leaves of the Spear Lily plant outside their studio window. By integrating small-scale precious metal creations into large ceramic forms, they have challenged the traditional boundaries of adornment, both of the body and of space. This evolution marks a significant departure from their daily workshop routine and family business, resulting in a collection where fine jewelry and experimental sculpture exist in a single, shared dialogue. SAVE THE DATE: The Ormachea's work will be on view in the Historic Studio on Saturday, June 6th, for our Annual Exhibition Opening and Evening Fundraiser Dinner, and Monday, June 8th, for our free daytime opening to the general public. ⭐ Tickets for both events will go on sale May 6th at 9am, and typically sell out quickly. Photos by Mikael Jorgensen @mikaeljorgensen and Cassandra C. Jones @jpegmountain Graphics by Louise Sandhause @lulusandhaus

✨Get to know the artists from the [queerphoria] volume 5 in person exhibition at @urbanglass_nyc ✨ . . ✨Rodrigo Ormachea (he/him) @rormache the cracks we sow “My practice in jewelry is the foundation for all other mediums I engage in. My most recent work uses clay and other materials to create forms that are shaped by personal history, pulling from silhouettes that are at once familiar and forgotten. The resulting work becomes entangled in a dialog between the monolith, the artifact and the body. As I pull and borrow between various practices it seems that the title of interdisciplinary artist feels the most appropriate for the current work that I make.” . ✨*S Sanchez (they/them) @ssanchezjewelry Double €aguar Rattle; €aguar Adorned Pendant, Cangrejito Septum Ornament “The practice of adornment predates written language and continues to exist and transform today. One day, the remnants of today will be buried and ancient, but the practice of adornment will persist. I create coded icons, objects of adornment, and unconventional septum ornaments to reflect existing as a Queer Trans Tejano in the here and now. I want my work to function as proof of existence within the contemporary climate, in hopes that being seen far into the future will be proof of Queer resilience, rebellion, and power.” *S was awarded a Juror’s Choice from QM Juror @metalpetaljewelry * . Stay tuned to experience the full exhibition on our website! . ✨ @nycjewelryweek @snagmetalsmith @adornaxis @precious.collective #NYCJW25 #queermetalsmiths #queermetalsmith #queerartists #queerphoria

7 years later (plus a month 😅) many changes for all and we remain a pretty good team! @deaddog.0 and I have such a special, caring, thoughtful, loving and funny dude. thanks to everyone who shows up for us and SUMAQ in so many different ways! 💚🧡💛♥️

This bench is one of my earliest workshop memories. I often forget and am often surprised when I remember that my dad had this made in Cusco right before the big move, and best believe it came with us. Inside there’s mementos and relics from previous eras, my grandfathers business card, my grandmothers handwriting, my dad’s keep safes of moments of himself as a younger father. It is generational. Our practice of metalwork and jewelry making has allowed us to thrive in our homeland and our new one. While our shop @ormacheajewelry is a constant, we have a great opportunity to make work for the sake of making art. My father Hugo and myself will be taking up residence @taftgardens for the next 9 months working on new work in both metal and ceramic mediums and some combinations of both. With my son Sumaq inevitably also contributing in whichever way he sees fit. If you visit the gardens, pop in to say hi. I will shout out the days we are there as we get familiar with the rhythm of this new routine, and can’t wait to leave our mark.

BEYOND EXCITED to be showing a piece in @queermetalsmiths volume 5 in person show “flourish” @urbanglass_nyc during @nycjewelryweek On view Nov 18th-22nd This brooch is a beacon of my unwavering support for Palestine and the hope and light that has grown in even the hardest of places. Title: “the seeds we sow” Material: Sterling silver, 14k gold, diamond, black diamond, sapphire, tsavorite, porcelain, earthenware, ceramic glaze FREE PALESTINE ✊🏽

A few more text tiles, and Sumaq BLISSING OUT.

Big thanks for all who joined us @offregistersb . Loved challenging myself to tackle print and text within the realm of sculptural work. More to come for sure.