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Title: Street Scene, Hueneme, 1895
Identifier: 1021 from the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs
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We invite you to join us for an opening reception celebrating Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback.
Friday, February 13
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street, Ventura
Guests will enjoy an early look at original artworks, posters, and more, as the exhibition reveals how Taback’s distinctive visual language shaped educational materials, commercial design, and storytelling for generations.
While many visitors will recognize Taback’s work from beloved children’s books such as Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, the exhibition highlights the breadth of his creative influence beyond the page.
The evening also includes refreshments, live music, and time to explore another new exhibition, The Changing Faces of Abraham Lincoln, George Stuart Historical Figures®, opening February 5.
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This exhibition is made possible by: Thomas and Esther Wachtell Family Endowment Fund, Bill and Elise Kearney, Amgen Foundation, and Reel Guppy Outdoors.
Refreshments and live jazz by The Dennis Berger Trio, sponsored by Ventura Music Festival.
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Exhibitions Ending February 1
MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY
These exhibitions are now in their final weeks.
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Moments of Rest: A Visual Sanctuary
Rest is not a luxury—it is essential. In a world that glorifies busyness, art offers a space for stillness and reflection.
This serene exhibition invites you to slow down and experience rest through landscape paintings from the Museum of Ventura County’s permanent collection. Let the calming ocean waves, the golden valley light, and the dreamy haze of imagined horizons create a moment of peace.
Take a breath. Absorb the beauty. Allow yourself to simply be.?Moments of Rest?is your invitation to pause, reflect, and recharge. Get more information HERE.
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Winter, A George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibition
Welcome to Winter, an exhibition of the George Stuart Historical Figures®. Delving into the enchanting world of winter, the exhibition explores the myriad ways in which people have sought to make the most of this season.
Winter is the time of year when the days are shortest, and the nights are long and cold, affecting both our bodies and our moods. In response to the challenges of winter, people across the globe have crafted annual traditions to create their own warmth and find connection. By drawing together with loved ones, they endure winter’s chill and create a sense of togetherness that warms the heart. Get more information HERE.
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Free admission is made possible by the generous support of Bill and Elise Kearney.
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On The Record:
Documenting Your Story
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E Main Street, Ventura
Saturday, January 31
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join us for On The Record: Documenting Your Story, a community-focused day that helps families explore their roots and preserve their stories. Local city and college libraries, historical organizations, and community partners will be onsite. They will share tools, resources, and guidance for family and genealogical research.
This free event offers inspiration, connection, and a chance to contribute to our shared history. No registration required. Get full details HERE. |
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Paint My Picture:
Our Black American Stories
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E Main Street, Ventura
Saturday, February 7
2:00 – 5:30 PM
The Museum of Ventura County and the NAACP Ventura County Branch invite you to Paint My Picture: Our Black American Stories, a Black History Month celebration featuring keynote speakers, poetry, and a sip-and-paint experience.
Guests are invited to create art in a welcoming, reflective setting while enjoying light snacks and a cash wine bar. This free event celebrates the idea that Black history is year-round. Registration is recommended, as space is limited. Get full details HERE. |
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OPENING RECEPTION
Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E Main Street, Ventura
Friday, February 13
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Join us for the opening reception of the upcoming exhibition, Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback.
Best known for his Caldecott Medal-winning book Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and the Caldecott honoree There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Taback’s creative legacy extends far beyond the pages of children’s literature.
Pages to Posters invites visitors to step inside the visual worlds of Simms Taback, exploring original posters, illustrations, and designs. Get full details HERE.
This exhibition is made possible by: Thomas and Esther Wachtell Family Endowment Fund, Bill and Elise Kearney, Amgen Foundation, and Reel Guppy Outdoors.
Enjoy refreshments and live jazz by The Dennis Berger Trio, sponsored by Ventura Music Festival. |
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Community Conversations: The Power of Native Plants
@Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula
Saturday, February 21
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
It’s the 4th Annual UC Master Gardener Open House at the Agriculture Museum. This free, family-friendly event celebrates the ongoing partnership between the UC Master Gardener Program of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum, highlighting the vital role native plants play in healthy ecosystems and local landscapes.
Keynote speaker Julia Fireflower, a Tataviam tribal member, will share insights on the importance of California native plants and pollinators, followed by a hands-on demonstration. The event also features interactive workshops led by UC Master Gardeners and Mini Nature Reserve. Get full details HERE. |
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Venue Rentals
WE KNOW THE ART OF ENTERTAINING
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In downtown Ventura, the Museum of Ventura County offers a refined and timeless setting where history and heartfelt moments come together. In Santa Paula, the Agriculture Museum pairs beautiful gardens with inviting indoor spaces to create an unforgettable backdrop. Together, these distinctive venues provide exceptional settings for every occasion, from weddings and milestone celebrations to meetings and community events.
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Upcoming Exhibitions
MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY
We are excited to announce two new exhibitions coming in February.
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The Changing Faces of Abraham Lincoln, A George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibition
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E Main Street, Ventura
Opens Thursday, February 5
This exhibition of George Stuart Historical Figures® shows the life of Abraham Lincoln. Stuart’s sculptures show how Lincoln’s appearance changed over time from clean-shaven to bearded, and from energetic to exhausted.
The Changing Faces of Abraham Lincoln follows Lincoln’s story of triumph and tragedy, from his simple beginnings in Illinois to his time as President and his significant role in American history. This exhibition displays the iterations of Lincoln while looking at his life, career, and change in physical appearance through the highly detailed, sculpted lens of the George Stuart Historical Figures®. Get more information HERE.
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Pages to Posters: The Visual Worlds of Simms Taback
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E Main Street, Ventura
Opens Friday, February 13
Best known for his Caldecott Medal-winning book Joseph Had a Little Overcoat and the Caldecott honoree There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Simms Taback’s creative legacy extends far beyond the pages of children’s literature. He was an artist, graphic designer, and teacher who helped shape American visual culture.
Pages to Posters invites visitors to step inside the visual worlds of Simms Taback, exploring original posters, illustrations, and designs. Get more informationHERE.
This exhibition is made possible by: Thomas and Esther Wachtell Family Endowment Fund, Bill and Elise Kearney, Amgen Foundation, and Reel Guppy Outdoors.
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Ongoing Exhibition
MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY
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Picturing the Past: How Photography Tells Our Stories
How do we truly know what happened in the past? History is a collection of stories—interwoven, evolving, and shaped by the evidence left behind. Photographs are one of the many tools that help us understand the past, capturing faces, places, and moments frozen in time. But do they always tell the full story?
This engaging exhibition explores the power of photography to record our history. Through images, artifacts, and interactive displays, visitors will discover how historians use photographs to uncover hidden narratives, challenge assumptions, and bring history to life. Join us in exploring the early history of photography in Ventura County, how photos shape our understanding of the past, and how the photos we take today tell tomorrow’s story. Get more information HERE.
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Ongoing Exhibition
AGRICULTURE MUSEUM
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Please note, the Agriculture Museum is closed in January for updates and will re-open February 8.
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Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura
In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County
Únase a nosotros en el Museo de la Agricultura para esta esperada exposición que muestra más de 40 retratos fotográficos del fotógrafo de fama internacional Diego Huerta. Estos retratos destacan las vibrantes y resistentes comunidades indígenas mexicanas del condado de Ventura. Para más detalles sobre la exposición, haga clic AQUÍ.
Join us at the Agriculture Museum for this exhibition showcasing over 40 photographic portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta. These portraits highlight the vibrant and resilient Mexican Indigenous communities of Ventura County. For exhibition details, click HERE.
Esta exposición es posible gracias al apoyo de/This exhibition is made possible with the support of: Hofer Properties, Ventura Auto Center, the Busch Family Foundation, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Gabriella Navarro-Busch and Peter Busch, and Vida Newspaper.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Major funding for the programs at the Museum of Ventura County is made possible by:
City of Camarillo, City of Fillmore, City of Moorpark, City of Ojai, City of Oxnard, City of Port Hueneme, City of Santa Paula, City of Simi Valley, City of Thousand Oaks, City of Ventura, and the County of Ventura.
Thank you to our generous sponsors: The John and Glenda Hammer Family, TOLD Corporation, The Heritage Fund at VCCF, California Resources Corporation, William and Elise Kearney, Hofer Properties, Amgen Foundation, Ventura County Credit Union, Ventura Toyota, Ventura Auto Center, FTI Services, Ventura Music Festival, Ventura County Community College District, Montecito Bank & Trust, Ventura Spirits, Limoneira, In the Mix Events, Peirano’s, and Mustang Marketing.
Museum of Ventura County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID: 95-1942930.
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Museum of Ventura County • 100 East Main St. Ventura, CA 93001 • 805.653.0323
Agriculture Museum • 926 Railroad Ave. Santa Paula, CA 93060 • 805.525.3100
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