Stephen Winters: Dreaming of Okihi

August 9th - September 7th, Reception: August 9th, 6 - 8 pm 

In collaboration with the White Wolf Wellness Foundation, RAM is thrilled to present Dreaming of Okihi, an invitation to delve into the profound connection between humanity and nature, as seen through the eyes of artist Stephen Winters. A portion of all sales proceeds will go to White Wolf Wellness and its efforts to regenerate and restore the 13.7-acre property of Okihi along the Kern River. 

In Dreaming of Okihi, Winters’ paintings and drawings depict horses, sheep, goats, chickens, and roosters, highlighting their vital role in the Okihi land restoration project. These animals act as intermediaries between humans and the natural world, emphasizing the inherent bond between mankind and nature. Each artwork tells a distinct story about Winters' relationship with this animal family, offering abstract insights into living more intuitively.

Artist Talk: September 7th at 11:00 am

Stephen Winters (b. 1982, Rome, NY) is a painter and sculptor based in Bakersfield, California. Living close to the Kern River on Okihi, Winters is interested in our symbiotic relationship with nature. Whether through pastoral, figurative paintings, gestural drawings, or non-objective metal sculptures that suggest the peaks and valleys of a mountain range, his work reflects his passion for the environment. Through each medium, Winters invites us to delve into the profound interconnectedness of all living beings. 

Winters received his BFA from the School at the Art Institute of Chicago in 2007, where he studied painting and sculpture. While working in Chicago, Winters was an apprentice to sculptor Evan Lewis in 2010 and artist/designer Brian Kerrigan in 2012. In 2009, Winters's work was featured at Lollapalooza. Winters plays a key role in leading the White Wolf Wellness Foundation at Okihi, a non-profit organization that provides yoga, meditation, sound baths, outdoor recreation, and educational classes for the Bakersfield community. In 2022, Winters was awarded a California Arts Council Grant for a public installation on the property.

About Okihi and White Wolf Wellness Foundation:

Beginning in the 1940s, Okihi was a thriving camp where young people could experience the outdoors. When the camp closed in 2010, it was destroyed by vandals, fire, off-roading, and neglect. Under the stewardship and vision of the White Wolf Wellness Foundation, the property will again be restored to a mindful retreat space with outdoor education programs, day-use camping, and retreat options centered around sustainable water and land management practices—practices that balance native and edible plants to restore healthy habitats for all wildlife.

White Wolf Wellness Foundation was founded in 2018 when partners Katherine and Stephen Winters identified an opportunity to use the non-profit sector to bring their mindfulness-based wellness programs to communities that might not otherwise have access to them. Striving to create a healthier, happier community, White Wolf Wellness offers yoga, meditation, sound baths, mindful outdoor access, and outdoor educational classes. Most events are held at the 13.7-acre riverside property, Okihi, located 20 minutes from downtown Bakersfield.

For more information, please visit the White Wolf Wellness website.