California Cool Lecture Series & Documentary Screening

Join us at the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 2—4:00PM for an afternoon about modernist design, fine arts and crafts, and the creative individuals who made a lasting impact in design history. Admission is free for members, $5 for nonmembers.

First, Guest Curators Eric Huff, Jordan Downs and Steve Aldana will participate in an insightful conversation with the Museum’s Chief Curator Anna Bermudez about their collaboration on the California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast exhibit.

Following the discussion, Laura Ackerman-Shaw will share recollections about her parents’ personal and professional lives that intertwined during their 64-year marriage. Through their combined complementary talents and temperaments, the Ackermans forged a prolific partnership that produced a wide range of timeless designs including ceramics, mosaics, tapestries, woodcarvings, and hardware, an unusual cross-disciplinary approach for designer-craftsmen.

Rounding out the afternoon is a documentary screening of In Tandem: The Life and Work of Jerry and Evelyn Ackerman. Filmmakers Katie Nartonis and Margaret Halkin debuted their film at Palm Springs Modernism Week. The film features extensive interviews with Jerry Ackerman and a rich roster of noted California design experts including internationally known designer Jonathan Adler. Their story is, at its heart, a love story, and it chronicles the legacy of two now legendary mid-century designer-craftsmen who were able to build a flourishing 50-year career.

A schedule of the events will be available soon.