Serene Succulent, watercolor on canvas, 13 x 13, by Diane Hanley, in the Small Image Show at SpiceTopia
To deal with life during a pandemic, Buenaventura Art Association is reviving a successful community outreach effort dating to its earliest days 66 years ago.
Soon after its 1954 founding, the nonprofit artists’ cooperative presented shows in retail shops around Ventura before renting a downtown storefront at 576 E. Main St. as its gallery space from 1970 until 1989. That address now houses SpiceTopia, a seven-year-old business with spices, teas and products from local food and craft artisans, where owner Anna Marie Tan now is inviting BAA members to display their art as well.
From now until Jan. 3, 2021, the association’s annual Small Image Show will be displayed on a 20-foot brick wall there. Artworks are limited to 16 inches on a side and will be available for purchase. SpiceTopia is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Other shows will follow.
In contrast, BAA members will mount a Large Image Show from Nov. 20 through Jan. 9 at Buenaventura Gallery, in Studio 30 at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura. Pieces in this exhibition will be at least 36 inches in one direction, horizontal or vertical, including any frames. An artwork, Sacred Spring, Delphi, by BAA Lifetime member and renowned abstract expressionist artist Gerd Koch, who passed away at age 91 in June of this year, will be exhibited in this show. Currently the gallery is open noon-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment by calling 805-648-1235.
A third show featuring BAA members’ art will be on view Nov. 13 through Jan. 11 at Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts, 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 106. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Mondays.
For more about BAA and its programs, visit buenaventuraartassociation.org or call the phone number above during gallery hours.
