Central Coast Modern / Museum of Ventura County

California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast opened last Friday at the Museum of Ventura County. Here are just a few pics. I'll do a more in-depth post later. 

Ceramic sculpture by Santa Barbara-based artist Michael Arntz, on loan from The Landing. 

Mosaic by Evelyn Ackerman, collection of Laura Ackerman.  Not only did the Ackermans have a long history collaborating with Central Coast-based companies Panelcarve and Forms + Surfaces, Evelyn designed a mural in Santa Barbara (below).

Sea, Land, and Sky (1957) by Evelyn,  for a Louis Mazzeti office building on Victoria Street in Santa Barbara.

Screen salvaged from a Rodney Walker house in Ojai that was the victim of an insensitive remodel. The screen is from the collection of Eric Huff. Architecture is a major component of the exhibition.

The opening was a sell out. 

California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast

California Cool looks at contributions to the era focusing on the landmark architecture, design and art from Ventura and neighboring Central Coast areas. This includes buildings by Rodney Walker, Carl Maston and Richard Neutra. Artists and designers who worked in the area include Paul Tuttle, Kipp Stewart, Stewart MacDougall, Vivika and Otto Heino, Tom McMillin, Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman, Stan Bitters and Beatrice Wood. Companies such as Architectural Fiberglass, Forms + Surfaces and Panelcarve were also based in the area. 

The Museum of Ventura County collaborated with guest curators Eric Huff, Jordan Downs and Steve Aldana for the exhibition.

On view September 21, 2019—February 23, 2020

More information is here.