Museum of Ventura County update for Jan. 6

During the Thomas Fire, the Milligan home in Santa Barbara was evacuated and their art collection was brought to the Museum of Ventura County. This pop-up exhibit, Seeking Safety – Evacuated Art from the Marshall & Gretchen Milligan Collection, includes selected works from the former Bank of A. Levy Collection and will be on view in the Museum’s Main Street Pavilion January 5 through January 12. The Pavilion will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission to this exhibit is free.

The Museum’s Docent Volunteer Council presents “Get the Dirt on Tractors,”a free lecture on farm equipment presented by former museum board member and Farm Implements committee member Bill Bowie,11 a.m., January 9, at the Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula.

We invite everyone to help us remember and document our common experience by collaborating with the Museum of Ventura County and CAPS Media. Go to capsmedia.org to upload video content or email your stories or digital images to thomasfire@venturamuseum.org.

Please note: A previous newsletter included a photo by Katrina Maksimuk with the photo credited to Nicole Noren. We apologize for this mistake and extend our heartfelt thanks to both Katrina Maksimuk and Nicole Noren for their generous permission to use their impactful photographs. 

Grab a lunch and head on over to the Museum every Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for music by local talent. This month features the acoustic and unorthodox ukulele stylings of talented musician Shay Moulder. Feel free to tip the musician! Dates this month include January 11, 18 and 25.  For information call 805.653.0323.

We’re rolling out the red carpet for an evening of high-fashion fun and everyone is invited!

Join us for an evening of art and a celebration of our community in support of downtown Ventura and the Ventura Community fire relief effort, 5 to 7 p.m, January 13, as the Museum of Ventura County hosts the opening reception of the new Neal Barr exhibit, In High Style: The Photography of Neal Barr.

Meet renowned photographer Neal Barr, a Ventura native, and enjoy an exhibition of iconic fashion and celebrity images created over a career spanning 50 years. The museum will be accepting donations to benefit the Ventura Community fire relief.

Thanks to opening reception sponsor Union Bank, our event will include a live DJ featuring the music of Studio 54, and fabulous food and refreshments from supporting downtown Ventura merchants, including Anacapa Brewery, Capriccio’s, Himalaya, Paradise Pantry, Ventura Rental Party Center and Main Course Catering. There will also be signature cocktails available for purchase.

Admission and parking are free. RSVP at nealbarr.eventbrite.com.

Thank you to our opening reception sponsors:

Working in wood or fiberglass overlaid with automotive paint, local artist Lori Cozen-Gellercreates geometric sculptures with cutouts, creating unique works driven by emotion and intuition. She explains her process as “a journey that begins with a feeling” and develops into a piece of art by “by freezing emotions and placing them into concrete form…as if the emotions themselves dictate the specifications of how the art is developed.” In the final product, Cozen-Geller’s emotions are represented by the sculpture’s dimensions, color and finish. The Cozen-Geller exhibit opens at 5 p.m., January 13, in the Main Street Museum’s Nook.

Join the Museum’s Resident Artist Ryan Carr for the next scheduled figure drawing session at 6 p.m., January 16 at Topa Topa Brewing Company, 104 E Thompson Blvd, Ventura, CA.

This popular event meets twice-monthly to draw live, clothed models. The group alternates between meeting at the Museum and meeting at local breweries. Bring your drawing pads, charcoal, pencils, pen & ink, pastels, whatever your favorite medium! No liquid mediums, please. All skill levels welcome.

In an effort to continue the healing through music, to thank first responders, to give solace those who have lost so much and to celebrate the best in our community, the Ventura Music Festival will present a special free preview concert for Ventura on Tuesday, January 23 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Museum of Ventura County Pavilion.

This free event is open to the public and will provide an artists preview, entertainment and refreshments. For more information visit http://www.venturamusicfestival.org/.

For up to date information on recovery efforts, visit http://venturacountyrecovers.org/, the information site for recovery efforts related to the Ventura County fires. This is the official page for the County of Ventura. Ventura County Recovers is intended to guide residents through the recovery process, regardless of the size of their loss.