Lisa Casoni & Heather Stobo: Beatrice Wood, Chocolates & Ojai

Heather Stobo and Lisa Casoni, owner and operators of Beato Chocolates, moved to Ojai in 2010. They opened Porch Gallery in 2013 with the goal of pairing up artists of different genres and mediums to "see what happens." They came to Ojai with open minds and hearts and quickly became integral to the community. The Sunday morning impromptu gatherings on the famous porch became an accelerator for the unexpected and incidental encounters that lead to interesting relationships and creative partnerships. Their often odd and always interesting juxtapositions brought an exciting new energy and inspiration to Ojai's arts scene. Some of these artists were regional and even national favorites, like Shana Mubari and Ojai's own Dennis Mukai, others brought a more local sensibility but all of them created something new, vital and bigger than the sum of their parts. Beato Chocolates grew out their shared affinity and admiration for the pioneering ceramicist and "Mama of Dada," whose relationship with Marcel Duchamp and Henri Pierre-Roché was integral to a revolution in the art world. Lisa and Heather discussed the arts scene in Ojai and where and how it's likely to change and evolve in the future, their experiences adapting themselves to Ojai and their journeys here. We did not talk about giant squid, Helen Frankenthaler or Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Learn more at BeatoChocolates.com.