DaGroup, aka, Benicia Plein Air Painters, is a group of outdoor painters founded by Jerry Turner. The DaGroup experience is told here through the outdoor painters’ own individual stories, photos and paintings. Together a picture of DaGroup’s diverse creative spirit and camaraderie is beautifully revealed.

“DaGroup” roots trace back in California’s plein air history stretching through: the pioneer California landscape painters, the “Society of Six” (SOS) and “The Outsiders.” During the 1980s Jerry Turner painted with renowned SOS member Louis Siegriest and his son, Lundy Siegriest. Nikki Basch-Davis painted with Lundy Siegriest as well. Both strongly influenced by the SOS created “The Outsiders” to continue their plein air tradition.

DaGroup grew in the early 2000s from Jerry Turner’s small informal plein air group of around five painters to over 200 Bay Area painters by 2010. Weekly and multiple day paint-outs continue.