Museum of Ventura County update for Feb. 9

Renowned photographer, and Ventura native, Neal Barr will be the featured speaker at the next “Speaking Of Ventura County“ speaker series, Tuesday,February 13, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Main Street location

Barr will share highlights and personal stories from his amazing career spanning five decades as a fashion and celebrity photographer, during which time he photographed some of the world’s most famous faces, including Sophia Loren, Halston and Warren Beatty. Visitors can experience Barr’s work first-hand through our current exhibit, In High Style: The Photography of Neal Barr Exhibit. Free for members; $5 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served.

The vibrant and dynamic chamber music ensemble Camerata Pacifica will perform 3 to 5 p.m., February 11, in the Museum’s Smith Pavilion.

Camerata Pacifica programs revolve around a core group of principal musicians: Artistic Director Adrian Spence, Ani Aznavoorian, Nicholas Daniel, Timothy Eckert, Jose Franch-Ballester, Warren Jones, Ji Hye Jung, Bridget Kibbey, Richard Yongjae O’Neill, and John Steinmetz.

These artists bring incredible depth, skill and passion to their work–energizing and reenergizing both standard and new repertoire. The principals are joined for most programs by a stellar roster of guest artists from all over the world. Many of these guests have been with Camerata Pacifica for years, but each season brings new faces as well.

Ticket prices vary. For tickets and information, visit: http://cameratapacifica.org/season-tickets/20172018-season/.

Additional Camerata Pacifica concerts are scheduled at the Museum for March 11, April 22 and May 13.

Join us at the Main Street location on Wednesday, February 21, at 5:30 p.m. for a free screening of Break the Chain with the filmmaker, Laura Swanson. This award-winning feature-length documentary film addresses the often “hidden-in-plain-sight” issue of Human Trafficking in the United States.

The film chronicles two survivors of human trafficking along with nearly 20 interviews with researchers, senators, non-profit organizations, legal service agencies, law enforcement officers and several artists actively working to raise awareness for this global issue. Here in Ventura County, we are far from immune. Come learn how Ventura County is impacted by our position along the 101 corridor and what you can do to support victims of human trafficking in our own backyard. To learn more, visit: breakthechainfilm.com.

Co-hosted by VCCAHT, The Acorn Project, Interface Family Services, The Polaris Project, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, The Coalition for Family Harmony, The Museum of Ventura County, Youth With A Mission, and Soroptimist.

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. Join us February 15 for music by Boom Duo featuring Noah Thomas on trumpet and John Lacques on drums performing improvisational jazz. Feel free to tip the musicians!  For information call 805.653.0323.

Join the Museum’s Resident Artist Ryan Carr for the next scheduled figure drawing session at 6 p.m., February 20, at  Leashless Brewing, 585 E Thompson Blvd, Ventura.

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. Admission is free.

The Museum of Ventura County has announced the call for entries for its annual Wearable Art Fashion Show, scheduled for March 30, at the Museum’s Smith Pavilion. This year’s theme, “Wearing Our Stories,” challenges artists, artisans and community members to tell their stories of the impact of the Thomas Fire through an article of clothing or accessories designed for this wearable art showcase. Deadline for entries is March 1. To submit an entry and/or download a prospectus, please visitventuramuseum.org.

Celebrated fashion and celebrity photographer, and Ventura native, Neal Barr has photographed some of the world’s most famous faces, including pitcher Sandy Koufax, actors Warren Beatty and Sophia Loren, designer Halston and boxer Cassius Clay for top publications, such as Harper’s Bazaar, Ladies’ Home Journal and Sports Illustrated. In High Style: The Photography of Neal Barr is an exciting exhibition that focuses on Barr’s extraordinary life and career, spanning more than five decades, from his early beginnings in Ventura to his fashion career in New York City and back again to Ventura.

On display now through April 8 at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura. Visit venturamuseum.org for more information.

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. On exhibit now through April 8 in the Main Street Museum’s Nook.

Experience the story of the Mayan civilization, begun nearly 10,000 years ago and inhabiting today’s area of southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and portions of Honduras and El Salvador, as told through Lost Empires: The Conquest of the Americas at the Museum of Ventura County, now through April 2018 at the Museum of Ventura County.

Featuring the highly-detailed and historically-accurate George Stuart Historical Figures Collection, visitors will learn about the early beginnings of the Mayan civilization and its advancements in sophisticated art and mathematics, evident in 500 BC, as well as its architecture which rivaled that of Europe. For more information, visit www.venturamuseum.org.

The museum offers Free First Sundays and free admission for featured groups on designated Appreciation Weekends.
February 10 and 11: Library Employees
February 24 and 25: Residents of Zip Codes 93062 to 93065

 Free First Sundays are sponsored by TOLD Corporation and Mimi Allin. 

Over the next few weeks CAPS Media and the Museum of Ventura County are recording personal Thomas Fire Stories shared by first responders, officials and the public impacted by the fire. The recording sessions will take place in locations throughout the county including Santa Paula,
Ventura’s Northside, Ventura’s Westside and Ojai.

Visit venturamuseum.org or capsmedia.org for schedules. Find a convenient day and time to record your story and add it to the museum’s historic archive. Selected stories will air on
CAPS Television and Radio, and stream on capsmedia.org.

Visit capsmedia.org to upload video content. Email your stories or digital images to:
thomasfire@venturamuseum.org