Ali & Esther Alinejad
About the Artists
Through ART Through ACTION, Esther and Ali teach underserved and underrepresented children and young adults ages 8-35 who are on the autism spectrum or have other developmental and cognitive disabilities (special educational needs).
Both artists are deeply embedded within the Thousand Oaks community and have served students in the surrounding area for over 20 years through their business, Clay Studio + Gallery, Inc. In recent years, they witnessed more and more community members facing economic hardship, especially for families who struggle to support their children of special educational needs. Their love for the community and the desire to make a difference inspired them to start their nonprofit in February of 2020.
Esther and Ali are both formally trained artists. Esther received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her MFA from the University of Arizona. Ali received his BFA from the University of France, VIII. As established artists, they have exhibited their art throughout the country, as well as internationally.
Selected Exhibitions / Groups
2012 California Dreaming, Los Angeles Garden Club Solo Exhibition, Haftan Gallery, Tehran, Iran
2011 Group Exhibition, Cultural Center for Nevavaran, IranCeramics Biennial, Iman Ali Museum, Tehran, Iran; Open Studio Tour, Clay Studio, Thousand Oaks, CA; Reflections II, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA
2010 Artful Couples, Atrium Gallery, Ventura, CA
2009 California Open Exhibition, TAG Gallery, Santa Monica, CA; Open Studio, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA; Clay Evolution: A New Look @ Clay, High Studio Gallery, Moorpark, CA; Abstract Art From The Soul, High Studio Gallery, Moorpark, CA
2008 Annual Juried Exhibition, Thousand Oaks Community Gallery, Thousand Oaks, CA
2006 Ceramic Biennale, Sabba Museum, Tehran, Iran Solo Exhibition, University of Art, Tehran, Iran International Affairs; High Studio Gallery, Moorpark, CA; Group Exhibition, Cultural Center of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2005 International Insights, Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks, CA
2003 Annual Juried Exhibition, Westlake Village Art Guild, Thousand Oaks, CA
Ali Alinejad
Commissions / Public Artworks
2008 Wheel Throwing 101, Instructional DVD, produced by Clay Studio + Gallery Inc.
2007 Serving Platters, Commissioned by Whole Foods Market, Thousand Oaks, CA2005; Prints of Pride Tile Project, Simi Valley Town Center
2005 Prints of Pride Tile Project, Simi Valley Town Center, Commissioned by Forest City Enterprises
Selected Private + Public Commissions
City of Thousand Oaks, California Annie + Ralph Mendoza Bill + Jean AmadorWalt + Rochelle Hoylman Yvette Hill Michelle + Curt Edmonds Jenik Cook Kim Fetherolf Bonnie Brown Michelle Hinds Jill + George Peter Lisa + James Spencer Abbas Hojatpanah Homayon Salimi Mohammad Jaffare Hossin Ashoury Mahmoud Arianko Saeed Ravanbaksh
Ali is an accomplished, award-winning multi-disciplinary artist whose work has been exhibited in Iran, France, Japan and Hawaii. He has experience in various mediums including paintings, photography, wood sculpting and ceramics. Born and raised in Tehran, Ali's upbringing and experience as an immigrant brings a unique cultural lens to his work.
Over the last 18 years Ali’s primary medium has centered around ceramics. He is best known in the community for the 12 ceramic memorial sculptures that were lovingly created to honor the victims of the 2018 Borderline massacre. Ali's art activism has been featured in “Art Against Racism” and he is currently in the process of building totems for his latest endeavor, The Peace Totem Project.
Esther Alinejad
Teaching Positions
2005 Ceramics Instructor, Ventura County, California
2000 Ceramics Instructor, Salt River Pima Indian Reservation, Arizona
1997-99 Ceramics Instructor/Owner, Clayworks @ Kilohana, Kaua’i, Hawaii
1994-97 Ceramics Instructor, City of Tucson, Arizona
1993-96 Teaching Assistant, Ceramics (Instructor of record), University of Arizona
Esther's work is a visual interpretation of thoughts, feelings, and reactions to everyday living and current events. Through the use of color, newspaper cutouts, and found objects, she creates an integrated web of imagery. Her work showcases streams of consciousness and stories unraveling. With her unique integration of color and imagery, she engages the viewer to take a different perspective on life and hopes to strike that inner cord.
Esther teaches various forms of traditional disciplines, including Raku, African mask work and artistry, Native American art, and Italian sgraffito. Esther takes pride in educating students on the cultural backgrounds of each traditional art form, integrating cultural awareness as students build their pieces.
Education
1996 MFA Ceramics + Painting, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
1992 BFA Ceramics + Painting, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
1989 Associates in Liberal Arts, Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, Illinois
2000-present Ceramics + Painting Instructor, Clay Studio + Gallery Inc. Thousand Oaks, California