Jo Ann Block is a Ventura-based mixed media artist whose work delves into the complexities of queer history, sexuality, and identity. Her series, “Phenomena of the Fierce,” features intimate mixed media collages of older, butch women who have achieved public recognition. These works envision a personal source of strength from which their fortitude springs, pairing each figure with a symbol representing a life force. Infused with the defiant spirit of self-assured butches from a bygone era, these figures are depicted as bodies of stone, rendering them both heroic and timeless.

Block's art explores the fluid nature of identity, particularly through the lens of queer identity, examining how history, sexuality, philosophy, and biology intersect within cultural contexts. Her work seeks to challenge and subvert existing norms surrounding aging, power, and the social relevance of lesbians, offering a powerful commentary on the resilience and enduring legacy of butch women.

Primarily a mixed media and collage artist, Block also works across various mediums. She received her B.F.A. from UCLA and her M.F.A. from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Her work is included in the collection of the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art. She has been a fellow at Touchstone Gallery (DC) and has participated in summer residencies at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York.

Block's work has been exhibited in numerous esteemed venues, including A.I.R. Gallery (NY), American University Museum (DC), Transformer Gallery (DC), Williamsburg Art and Historical Center (NY), Metrospace (MI), Baum Gallery of Fine Art (AK), Thompson Gallery (MA), and Launch LA (CA). Through her art, Jo Ann Block continues to push the boundaries of societal norms and highlight the enduring strength and relevance of lesbian identities in contemporary culture.

solo exhibitions:
​2023, The Meaning Of Life: Self Portrait, 643 Project Space, Ventura, CA (upcoming)
2018, Queer Before Queer, Leslie-Lohman, Prince Street Gallery, New York, NY
2018, The Few…The Proud…, Vivid Gallery, Washington, DC
2017, Jane Doesn’t Need Dick: Origin of Love, Touchstone Gallery, Washington, DC

group exhibitions:
2022, Perceive You, Shoebox Projects, (curator Kristine Shoemaker) online
2022, No Man’s Land, Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA
2022, Who We Are: Portraying Identity, Cabrillo Gallery, (Juror: Pauli Ochi) Aptos, CA

2021, Metamorphosis The Art of Transformation, Visionary Art Collective (Juror: Sergio GomÉz) online
2021, Fresh 2021, SoLA Contemporary, (Juror: Anuradha Vikram) Los Angeles, CA
2021, Reflection, Launch LA & Korean Cultural Center, (Jurors: Sunook Park and Terrell Tilford) Los Angeles, CA
2021, Past, Present, Future, IncuArts Gallery, online
2021, Out There, Los Angeles Art Association, Gallery 825, Los Angeles, CA
2021, Darkness/Light, Los Angeles LGBTQ Center’s Advocate & Gochis Galleries, Los Angeles, CA
2021, An A-Historical Daydream 14th A.I.R. Biennial, A.I.R. Gallery (Juror: Jasmine Wahi, Founder and Co-Director Project for Empty Space, and Holly Block Social Justice Curator at the Bronx Museum)  Brooklyn, NY
2021, New Beginnings, San Fernando Arts & Cultural Center (Juror: John Paul Thornton) San Fernando, CA
2021, Darkness/Light, Los Angeles LGBTQ Center’s Advocate & Gochis Galleries, Los Angeles, CA
2021, New Beginnings, San Fernando Arts & Cultural Center (Juror: John Paul Thornton) San Fernando, CA

2020, Crisis Mode, Online Exhibition Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (Juror: Lucia Olubunmi Momoh, Curatorial Assistant UC Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive) Santa Ana, CA
2020, 2021?, ShockBoxx Gallery, Hermosa, CA
2020, Women Artists Making Their Mark, O'Hanlon Center for the Arts (Jurors: Donna Seager & Suzanne Gray) Mill Valley, CA
2020, The Next Big Thing, Studio Channel Islands (Juror: Leah Ollman, Art Writer/Critic, LA Times, ARTnews, Art in America) Camarillo, CA
2020, Tarfest 2020: Transition, Launch Gallery (Juror: Holly Jerger, Curator at Craft Contemporary) Los Angeles, CA
2020, Art Under the Influence, Avenue 50 Studio (Jurors: Nathalie Sanchez, Raoul De La Sota, J. Michael Walker) Highland Park, CA        
2020, Post Pride, Ace/121 Gallery, Glendale, CA
2020, Out There, Los Angeles Art Association, Juror Bert Green, Bern Green Fine Arts, Los Angeles, CA

2017, 1947, Patricia Highsmith, Emulsion—The Fourth Annual Regional Juried Show 
2017, Y. Nasty Women, NY
2017, What’s Your America, Atlanta, GA
2017, Jane Doesn’t Need Dick: Origin of Love, Touchstone Foundation for the Arts Emerging Artist Fellow

2016, Transformer Silent Auction, American University’s Katzen Arts Center, Washington, DC
2016, LGBTQ Center, Washington, DC
2016, Defy/Define, Transformer Gallery. Washington, DC
2016, Erase Hate, Columbia Art Center, Columbia, MD
2016, Sites of Exchange: Lavender Diaspora, Clifford Chance, Washington, DC

2015, W.H.A.T. Now: Women/Healing/Art/Transformation, Clifford Chance, Washington, DC
2015, New Light, Willow Street Gallery, Washington, DC
2015, Layers, Touchstone, Washington, D C
2015, Locally Sourced, American University Museum, Washington, DC

2014, Collage + Assemblage, (Scene) Metrospace, East Lansing, Michigan
2013, 39th Street Gallery, Gateway Arts Center, Brentwood, Maryland
2013, Jewel Box Pop Up Gallery, Hyattsville, Maryland
2012, Strange Glue, Thompson Gallery, Weston, Massachusetts
2012, The Baum MFA Biennial, Baum Gallery of Fine Art, Conroy, Arkansas
2011, Cabinets of Wonder: A Queer’s Dialogue between the Grotesque, the Curious and the Mundane, VCFA Graduation Exhibit, Montpelier, VT
2009, Black Drag, Portraits from the Hill 1940, Theater 150, Ojai CA
2008, Imitation of Life, Ventura Art Fair, Ventura, CA2005, Evil Doer, Ventura College Art Gallery, Faculty Art Show, Ventura, CA

collections:
2018, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art

fellowship:
2015, Touchstone Gallery

publications:
2022, The Book Arts, Nudus, Gallerium Art Exhibitions and The Book of Art Publication, Toronto, CN
2022, Panhandler Magazine, University of West Florida
2021, We Cover the Waterfront: Conversations with VA Alumnx, Alumnx Jo Ann Block, Vermont College of Fine Arts, June 7, 2021
2020, Meet Jo Ann Block | Visual Artist, SHOUTOUT LA, November 20, 2020, Los Angeles, CA
2020, Show Me What You Got: Older Generation Lesbian Artist and Poets, WMN Zine, Issue 2
2018, Jo Ann Block: Pushing back Against Age and Gender, East City Art, Fall 2018 Print Periodical, Washington, DC
2015, Summer/Fall Issue, Lunch Ticket, Antioch University, Los Angeles, CA
    
residencies:
2016, Painting and Mixed Media Residency,
School of Visual Art, Summer Residency Program, New York, NY
2015, From the Laboratory to the Studio: Interdisciplinary Practices in Bio Art,
School of Visual Art, Summer Residency Program, New York, NY

catalogs:
Collage at 100, The Cambridge School of Weston

professional experience:
1980 – 2000, Graphic Designer in motion pictures, the arts and civic affairs.
2000 – 2009, Art Department, Instructor, Ventura College