During his youth, Gerd embraced exploration and traveled extensively, including a 3,000-mile Canadian bicycle trip, staying in youth hostels along the way. Organizing travel tours of the art centers of the world became one of Gerd’s most influential lifelong activities enriching the lives of everyone who joined him.

Gerd received a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in 1951 from Wayne State University and in 1967 a Master of Fine Art at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Gerd celebrated his love for the beauty of the Ojai landscape in much of his work. He once wrote of Ojai “…the cycles of the seasons and the times of day, paintings of the browns and yellows of California summers and falls, winter with storm clouds over the mountains… These were paintings of inward vision, abstractions that began with these objects influenced by the all-powerful force: time.”

Gerd’s greatest legacy, aside from his body of work, are his students.

Gerd’s devotion to the arts included his involvement in the founding and support of two important arts organizations in Ventura County, Studio Channel Islands Art Center (SCIART) and Focus on the Masters (FOTM). Gerd had been a member of the National Watercolor Society since 1955 and is listed in Who’s Who in American Art.

Gerd Koch is survived by his life partner of 40 years, the accomplished artist Carole Milton and by his son, Kear Koch, and his family and the thousands of students and friends.

What is Steampunk? What is Dada? Before it became the full-blown subculture it is today, Steampunk started out as a science-fiction sub-genre in the 1970s. Its fundamental inspirations go all the way back to 19th century Victorian writers, such as Jules Verne (author of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) and H.G. Wells (author of The Time Machine). Dada, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “a movement in art and literature based on deliberate irrationality and negation of traditional artistic values.”

Join us as we explore these cultural phenomena with experts from both genres. As writer, curator and Director of the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Kevin Wallace will weigh in on the side of Dada. Beatrice Wood is recognized as the “Mama of Dada.” Our Steampunk expert is Dr. Katherine L. Morse, a research computer scientist and half of the award-winning, San Diego-based writing team of “The Adventures of Drake and McTrowell.” Together, they craft serialized steampunk tales and can be seen cosplaying their alter egos at conventions all over the West.

You won’t want to miss this fascinating discussion in preparation for our annual fundraiser for arts education. This year’s them is Steampunk Dada Electric Carnival and will be streamed live on August 22nd!

Steampunk Dada Panel Discussion

Sunday, July 19, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Streamed Live on Zoom!

Learn more and register for free on our website: www.FocusOnTheMasters.com.

Sponsored by Michael Rohde

BAA Artists in the Time of Corona:

Another selection from our member artists of what is occupying their thoughts and hands during these troubled times.

Good news!! Buenaventura Gallery opens!!  Beginning July 10 // Fridays & Saturdays only

For the time being, open hours will be Fridays and Saturdays only, 11 am to 4 pm, and by appointment. As we figure out what is needed for staffing (and with more volunteer help!) open days and hours could increase.

Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts is already open with hours of Friday thru Monday, 11am to 6pm.

Both galleries require customers to wear masks and maintain social distancing. Occupancy is limited to 4 customers at a time at HVG&G and will be limited to 10 at BVG. Hand sanitizer, gloves, and spare masks will be available.

Lorna Amundson: Several of our members have been taking advantage of online classes and seminars. Lorna has been studying with her mentor, Joe Cibere, via weekly ZOOM classes.

Mary Lambert: Mary says she is mostly still playing around with watercolor. Here are some of the greeting cards she’s been painting.

If you have never visited the Ventura Potters’ Guild Gallery (VCPG) it is time to discover this crown jewel nestled in the Ventura Harbor Village.

Many of the gallery artists have spent their lifetime studying ceramics. While honing their craft, gallery members have backgrounds that range from corporate executives, entrepreneurs, government workers to full time artists and ceramic teachers. But ceramics has always been their passion.

How does a group of seasoned artists who have followed their passion for clay from young to old get back into business during the Covid-19 outbreak?

Most of the artists have home studios where they create and fire their own work. During the Covid-19 outbreak, members have been experimenting and creating new and exciting works of art.

A unique old Italian technique to check out at the gallery is Sgraffito. The past President of the Ventura County Potters Guild, Genie Thomsen, whose teaching experience includes 22 years with The Adult Education Program through Santa Barbara City College, 15 years at Ventura College and 5 years at The Simi Senior Center, now has the time to explore her Sgrafitto technique. Sgraffito is a form of decoration made by lightly carving through a layer of colored slip to expose the underlying clay. Genie’s forte is sea life and images from nature. “I have always been interested in the Sgraffito technique, so this has been perfect timing for me to explore the concept.”

The VCPG Gallery is located at 1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105 in the Ventura Harbor.

Hours: Mon. – Weds. 12:00 pm – 4 pm

Thurs. – Sun. 11:00 am – 6 pm

For more information visit: www.venturapottersguild.org

BAA Artists in the Time of Corona

Here’s another selection from our member artists of what is occupying their thoughts and hands during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter civil protests.

Plans are afoot to re-open BAA’s Buenaventura Gallery at the Bell Arts Factory beginning July 10. The gallery will be open Fridays and Saturdays only. Details are still being arranged. Stay tuned for an official announcement.

Lisa Skyheart Marshall: A prolific painter, Ojai resident Lisa has been busy creating her detailed and light-hearted watercolor and ink paintings of local flora and fauna.

Joyce Lombard: “I am collaging boots and reaching back in time! I’ve completed an ankle boot commemorating 100 years of women’s suffrage.”

Gina Thayer Niebergall: “Social Distancing on Soquel Creek,” 16”x12” oil on panel is a gentle illustration of our experiences in the pandemic.

We are also pleased to let you know that our Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts location is now open with limited hours. Also available for online shopping if you prefer. Hours- Friday-Monday 11-6

Use AmazonSmile any time you buy from Amazon, and support the Buenaventura Art Association. Choose BAA as your recipient, and Amazon donates a percentage of all your purchases to BAA. It’s easy and free to open a “smile” account at Amazon.

This is what some of our members are up to:

Jerry Mahoney: I have finished one traditional watercolor early in the lockdown, but since then I’ve been having fun exploring old and new ideas, and experimenting with odds and ends around my house. I’ve made mobiles, an obelisk, and driftwood sculptures. I’ve painted palm frond animals and made several chalk drawings on my driveway. Most recently, I started playing with origami and acrylic inks. Wishing everyone only the best in these unusual times.

Lili Miura: I’ve been painting oil portraits and keeping busy. I took oil painting classes from Aaron Westerberg in January and was enrolled in the second session in mid-March when the corona virus pandemic hit hard in the USA. My spring vacation plans to visit Italy and Europe were also canceled. I’m painting just for the family.