Museum of Ventura County update for Sept. 14

Ayer y Todavía

Experience Chicano culture and history, as well as current struggles and social issues, as seen through the eyes of Chicano artists in Ayer y Todavía, opening Friday, September 15 with an evening of art and music, 6 – 9 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura.

Enjoy live music provided by Los Fabulocos Band, and a chance to visit with the artists and the collectors who helped shape this unique Chicano exhibit.

Featured artists include Margaret Garcia, Frank Romero, Leo Limón, Salomon Huerta, Jack Vargas, Harry Gamboa, Diane Gamboa, Ignacio Gomez, and Patssi Valdez among others.

Members are free; non-members are $5. No-host bar and hors d’oeuvres. The exhibit will be on display through November 26. For more information, visit www.venturamuseum.org.

Exhibit and event are sponsored by the Port of Hueneme, Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. and Santa Paula Latino Town Hall.

Special thanks to the MVC Latino Advisory Committee.

Artists David Botello, Ignacio Gomez and
Wayne Healy will speak about their own works, 5:30 – 7 p.m., September 28,
and discuss the recurring images found in Chicano art and why those images define Chicano identity. The panel will be moderated
by Chicano art collector Tomás Sanchez.

The event will take place at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura. Free for members; $5 for non-members.

Chicano Art Exhibit tours are available for student and adult groups Tuesday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Docent-led tours provide insight into the art and the artists included in this inspiring exhibit. Please schedule two weeks in advance with Megan Gately,  mgately@venturamuseum.org, 805-653.0323 x310.

It’s Free First Sunday, October 1,
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with free admission for all! Come share your ideas and engage with your community in a fun and positive way through this museum day devoted to community activism. Visit the new exhibit showcasing Chicano art, enjoy free crafts from 1 – 3 p.m. including designing your own poster, coloring sheets for kids and political cartoons. This program is generously sponsored by Museum-supporter Mimi Allin.

Icons and Archetypes

A new series of large-scale oil paintings by Ojai-based artist, Tom Hardcastle, explores the artist’s perspective of popular cultural icons and exploitative archetypes that have come to represent more than their own personal identity and in some cases, a paradoxical delineation. Exhibit runs throughOctober 1. For more information, visit www.venturamuseum.org or call 805.653.0323.

Betsy Chess, great granddaughter of Nathan Blanchard and current Limoneira board member,
will be the featured speaker at the next “Speaking Of Ventura County” lecture series, Tuesday,October 10, 1 – 2:30 p.m. at the Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula.

Chess, whose family has a long history of success, philanthropy and leadership in the agricultural industry, will chronicle the early beginnings of the lemon business in Santa Paula (named by her pioneer relative Nathan Blanchard) to the current citrus powerhouse company, Limoneira.

Light refreshments will be served. Free for members; $5 for non-members.

Special guest, Roberto Vargas will present the use of ofrendas (altars) and ceremony for honoring our loved ones as reflected in the exhibit, 6 – 7 p.m., October 26, in the Huntsinger galleries. Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura.

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Santa Paula, Sunday, Oct. 29,
11 a.m. –  5 p.m.

The Art Museum, Oil Museum, Pierce Brothers Cemetery and the Ag Museum have partnered for a community celebration. Make Monarch butterfly crafts, hear about the symbolism of the Monarch butterfly and bring something to add to our community offrenda.

At 2 p.m., professional storyteller Evie Ybarra will
spin tales of “La Llorona” and other scary stories
from her book, Ghosts of Ventura County’s Heritage Valley.

The museum offers Free First Sundays and free admission for featured groups on designated Appreciation Weekends.

September 23-24: Zip code 93066 (Santa Paula)
October 1: Free First Sunday
October 14-15: City and County Workers
October 28-29: Zip code 93015-93016, 93040 (Fillmore & Piru)
November 5: Free First Sunday