Buenaventura Art Association is creating a new home at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., and finding more venues for its member artists as the COVID-19 pandemic gradually ebbs.
The grassroots Ventura arts group, founded in 1954, is moving to Studio 99 at Bell Arts, its base since 2018 where it previously occupied Studio 30. Its other artwork outlets are Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts, at Ventura Harbor; and SpiceTopia and Very Ventura, both shops downtown on Main Street.
Studio 99 is large enough for main office operations, special exhibits and Artisan Store displays, has a lobby area for a more professional presentation, offers an outdoor area for First Friday gallery crawls (when they resume) and other public receptions, and keeps BAA connected to other artists at Bell Arts and the other west side Ventura arts centers.
The group aims to have Studio 99 fully open by late May. It is being designed to be a flexible layout that can change according to need, with exhibit space to accommodate up to three solo artists and good natural light. There also is meeting space for artist groups, talks and/or workshops, and association board meetings.
BAA directors, staff and volunteers are continuing to look for additional business partnerships to expand exhibit space and artist exposure in downtown and other popular parts of Ventura.
For more about the 67-year-old nonprofit artists’ cooperative and its programs, visit buenaventuraartassociation.org.
