Layla Hallberg in Buenaventura Gallery. Photo by Wana Klausen.

The Board of Directors for Buenaventura Art Association (BAA) is pleased to announce the selection of Layla Hallberg as their new Executive Director. A “Meet the Director” reception will be held on Tuesday, February 8 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Buenaventura Gallery. The reception is open to Buenaventura Art Association members as well as the general public.

Hallberg, a six-year resident of Ventura, has been an active volunteer with the Ventura Music Festival. For the last two years, she managed the festival’s visual artists.

Jim Black, President of BAA says, “I am thrilled that the BAA will have an executive director as capable as Layla. From an extremely qualified field of candidates, she was the very best. Her leadership style is based on mutual respect, collaboration and consensus building. The arts community in Ventura is already the envy of half of Southern California. Layla’s contribution will improve and strengthen our organization and further enhance the cooperative spirit of the Ventura arts community. We are fortunate to have her.”

Hallberg has a solid business background in art-related industries and gallery management. She owned her own custom-fabric design firm for over ten years. Her clients included Disney and various other theme-oriented properties. In addition, she was a Director with the Martin Lawrence Galleries in Sherman Oaks, Century City, Redondo Beach and Universal City Walk. Her duties there included art selection, artist liaison and exhibit creation.

Hallberg studied International Business through the UCLA Extension Program. She also has her B.S. in Environmental Health Science with an emphasis in Environmental Planning from Brigham Young University.
Buenaventura Art Association currently operates two galleries: The Buenaventura Gallery in downtown Ventura and the Harbor Village Gallery at the beautiful Ventura Harbor. In addition, Buenaventura Art Association curates and manages exhibits at Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) with the help of the CMH Foundation and Sue Pollack. Buenaventura Art Association was formed in 1954 by Ventura city leaders.

Buenaventura Gallery is located at 700 E Santa Clara St in downtown Ventura. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday from noon – 5 pm and Saturday from 11 am – 5 pm. For more information, visit them on the web at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org