Buenaventura Arts Association - Fundough Non-Profit

We are please to welcome Buenaventura Art Association, a non-profit Arts Association providing classes, workshops, exhibit spaces and access to competitions at many levels for the community. Welcome as one of Fundough's new non-profits participating in our funding program. Buenaventura Art Association has been in the Community for over 70 years providing workshops and exhibit spaces for our communities of amateur to professional artists.

What products or services do you provide?

B. A. A. provides classroom and workshop space as well as a gathering place for "beginner" artists at 1591 Spinnaker Dr #207, above Le Petit Cafe. Two gallery walls are there as well as at Harbor Village Gallery and Gifts at 1559 Spinnaker #106, where we have 3 walls. We also have a space for exhibition at Spicetopia on Main St. in Ventura."

How and when did the organization/ business get started?

Buenaventura Art Association, originally the Ventura Arts and Crafts Association, formed in April 1954 after San Buenaventura Women’s Club President Olivia Hathaway wrote to Ventura officials about the need for such a group and offered her organization’s help in starting it.

The goal was to promote interest in crafts, fine arts and performing arts for the benefit of schoolchildren, adults and professional and amateur artists. That included arranging art classes and organizing exhibits and an annual Ventura arts festival. The club’s cultural endeavors initially included drama, dance, literature, minerals and rocks, and science as well as painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and weaving.

What is the company's motto or slogan?

Every artist was a beginner, unofficially.

What’s one thing you're known for over competitors?

Our nonprofit institution is devoted to its mission: Connecting artists with each other, the community with artists, and learning and growing as artists ourselves. We are very Member-centric with a Mentor-centric board.

Why did you choose Ventura County for the business location?

In 2004, the association opened a second gallery and artisan store in Ventura Harbor Village. Subsequent changes in the Harbor's marketing and leasing strategy led to a change in location within the Village in 2016. Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts remains BAA's busiest retail location with an emphasis on selling art for the tourist trade.

In 2018, Buenaventura Art Association sold its downtown Ventura building on Santa Clara St. and moved into the Bell Arts Factory in Studio #30. The passage of time saw many arts organizations moving into the west side of Ventura, off of Ventura Ave. This concentration of organizations, like the Bell Arts Factory, the WAV, Art City Studios & Gallery, and Stoneworks Studios, among others, lead to a renaissance of artistic expression on Ventura's west side. Left nearly on its own in its previous location, BAA was unable to take part in this beehive of cultural activity, spurring the decision to sell the building and take part in this new venture. During the covid shutdown, BAA moved from Studio #30 to the smaller Studio #99.

Then, in 2024, BAA's newest adventure began! We moved to a second location in the Ventura Harbor Village and launched the Buenaventura Art Center so that we could expand our arts education offerings. This adventure continues as we try to build community through the arts. Please join us!

How can our community help?

We are a totally volunteer association with the exception of a part time Executive Director. Our revenue is derived from classes, workshops and sales We are in constant need of volunteers as we grow in membership. More importantly, since our move to the beautiful Harbor from Bell Arts and doubling our membership in one year, we are actively seeking more avenues of networking and outreach to ensure public awareness and access, as well as sponsorship. As with many businesses and organizations, the Covid era was a huge set back.

What else do you want our community to know?

We are proud of our beginners, many who have gone on to their first ever exhibits and yes, sales, even in Open Competitions at such venues in Ojai and Santa Barbara. We are proud to assist artists of all levels of instruction by professional artists who are our mentors, We can no longer function as Ventura's cherished secret niche.

Nowlin Haltom

Buenaventura Art Association

(818) 970 1404

nolhaltom@aol.com