|
Close-up view of Dean H. Blanchard’s Mallard ducks by the Santa Paula Blanchard Ranch Reservoir. Identifier – 38222. From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs.
|
|
|
Playdate in the Garden
Friday, April 5
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura
Explore your creative expression at our third Play Date in the Garden! In partnership with Filipina/x cultural organization, Pinaysphere, we will have eco-friendly arts and crafts to help you reconnect your heart and soul with the wonders of nature. Join us in this unique blend of creativity and nature appreciation, forging lasting memories and rekindling the joy of imaginative play. Adult supervision is required. For more information and free registration click HERE! |
|
|
Ventura County Ballet Presents “DAnce Art” at MVC
Sunday, April 14
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St., Ventura
Join us for an afternoon of dance, visual arts, and music at the Museum of Ventura County in downtown Ventura. Arrive early for a pre-performance meet & greet with guest visual artists. The 2 PM performance features Ventura County Ballet company dancers performing classical and neo-classical pieces set by Artistic Director Marina Fliagina, original contemporary choreography by Emi Pool, and guest performers. Stay for the post-performance reception! For more information and tickets click HERE. |
|
|
3rd Annual Ventura County Wildflower & Weed Show
Saturday, April 20
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
@Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula
Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Wildflower and Weed Show, a celebration of California’s diverse flora! At noon, Antonio Sanchez will deliver an enlightening lecture titled “Inviting California to Dinner: Bringing California Native Plant Foods into Your Life and the Future of Native Plant Agriculture.” Enjoy a specimen show, an iNaturalist demonstration, plant sale, special kids’ activities, and guided tours led by UC Master Gardeners.
Thank you to our partners – County of Ventura Agriculture/Weights & Measures – County of Ventura Conservation District – California Native Plant Society, Channel Islands Chapter – Weed Management Area, Ventura County – UC Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Master Gardeners!
FREE event, no registration required. More information can be found HERE! |
|
|
Bonita McFarland Scholarship Closes Sunday
The Bonita McFarland Scholarship application CLOSES this week on April 7th!
The scholarship fund has a total of $10,000 to be awarded to eligible applicants who are high school seniors enrolling in college courses in Fall semester of 2024 or any continuing visual arts college student who is a Ventura County resident. Awards will be based on artistic merit and commitment as demonstrated by the application, essay, letter of recommendation, and examples of work. For more information and to apply, click HERE. |
|
|
April Puzzles
Theme: Farm Animals
Ready to unwind? Embark on a relaxing journey with our monthly online jigsaw puzzles! Throughout April, lose yourself in charming farm animal snapshots from our Research Library’s Digital Archives. The monthly puzzles are perfect for reminiscing or igniting new adventures! Choose a puzzle, or piece them all together today by clicking HERE. |
|
|
Become a Member Today!
Check out these Membership Benefits
Become a member of the Museum of Ventura County and discover the rich art, culture, and history of this vibrant region at our three campuses. Not only is your membership an investment in yourself, with perks at every level, it’s a pledge to celebrate and uplift the vibrant communities we serve.
Depending on level chosen, membership may include benefits such as free admission, free or discounted events, members-only events, member swag, store discount, NARM membership, and much more! Membership is 100% tax deductible. Check out the details and join today by clicking HERE. |
|
|
Exhibitions
MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY
|
|
|
The Murder of Tom More:
A True Crime Story
Hurry! Last day to view is May 12!
In the early hours of March 24th 1877, a mob of angry settlers set fire to Thomas More’s barn and shot him at least 10 times. Motivated by a passionate battle over land ownership and water rights turned deadly, news of his murder rippled through California.
Amid the rubble of lies, perjuries, briberies, and omissions in the historical record, there are mysteries regarding his death that remain forever unsolved. His story stands today as a warning about the strong emotions unleashed over our limited natural resources.
This exhibition is made possible by the
John Hammer Family
|
|
|
Spin Cycle: Unfolding the
Science of Laundry
Hurry! Last day to view is May 12!
Everybody’s clothes get dirty, so we all must deal with the dreaded laundry. Through the years people have tried different ways to clean their clothes, and now we have the science to explain why some of those methods actually work!
Using 19th and early 20th century laundry items from MVC’s historical collection, visitors will learn about the “how” and “who” behind everyone’s least favorite chore. Let’s explore how our everyday world works together.
This exhibition is made possible by the
Ventura County Credit Union
|
|
|
Proximity to Water: Works from MVC’s Permanent Collection
Hurry! Last day to view is May 12!
Come be inspired by the ever-changing coast captured by our regional artists.
From plein air painting to photography, the mutable coast provides an endless supply of inspiration. Art helps us admire, respect, and revere our region, reminding us of our own place in the natural world. Proximity means a closeness in space, time, or relationship. These artworks from the Museum’s permanent collection bring us closer to the water, both visually and in feeling.
This exhibition is made possible by the Esther and Thomas Wachtell Family Fund, the Paul and Anne Leavens Family Fund and the Bonita C. McFarland Fund
|
|
George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibit, Napoleon: Revolution, Romance, and Rivalries
Explore the complex life of Napoleon Bonaparte in a new exhibition of George Stuart Historical Figures®. As a charismatic leader, military strategist, and political figure, Napoleon rose to power during the tumultuous aftermath of the French Revolution. Immerse yourself in his journey, from the forces that propelled him to prominence, his marriages, and his entwined destinies with other global leaders. Through George Stuart’s intricate creations, experience Napoleon Bonaparte’s significant impact on the course of history. For more information, click HERE. |
|
|
Exhibitions
AGRICULTURE MUSEUM
|
|
|
Ventura County, The Place
We Call Home – A
Community Experience
The Museum of Ventura County (MVC) celebrates the County’s 150th anniversary with Ventura County, The Place We Call Home – A Community Experience that highlights the diversity of our communities by featuring different interpretations of Ventura County as ‘Home.’ Some people perceive home as a physical place where they grew up. For others, family and those they share their lives with are what make them ‘feel at home.’ The taste of food, beloved objects, and fond memories are other ways that people define what home means to them. Explore these concepts, and find out more about the exhibit HERE.
Co-presented by the County of Ventura and Ventura County Community Foundation.
This exhibit made possible by California Humanities, the City of Santa Paula,
the City of Simi Valley, Harrison Industries, Limoneira, Meissner,
the Port of Hueneme, TOLD Corporation, Ventura County Credit Union,
Ventura County Community College District, and many more.
|
|
|
Exhibition From the
Smithsonian Gardens:
Pollination Investigation –
The Essential Role of Pollinators in the Natural World
Nearly 90% of flowering plants rely on approximately 200,000 species of pollinators for fertilization. Explore the essential role pollinators play in the natural world in the Smithsonian poster exhibition, Pollination Investigation.
Through “pollinator profiles” visitors can learn about different pollinators—from butterflies and hummingbirds to bats and the wind—and their favorite flowers based on floral characteristics like flower shape, color, scent, and more. The set of 14 posters is bilingual (Spanish and English) and designed to educate and inspire people to explore the natural world looking at flowers and insects. Learn more HERE. |
|
|
The Farm to Market Children’s Hands-On Exhibition
An interactive exhibit promoting healthy lifestyles through role-play, the Ag Market is an immersive environment where children and families identify healthy food choices in a fun, market-like atmosphere.
Learn more about what the Agriculture Museum has to offer HERE.
Special thanks to Santa Paula’s former mayor, Carlos Juarez for volunteering his time in
building our fun-filled market.
|
|
|
Explore More Exclusive
MVC ONLINE CONTENT
|
|
| Episode 6 features Renee working with Chef Luis, Owner and Chef of Mouthful Eatery in Thousand Oaks—see how they fare testing a recipe for Fattigmand! Watch the anticipated final episode plus all those you may have missed HERE. |
|
| In 1924, Marjery Misner, a young elementary school teacher in Santa Paula, found herself at the center of a controversy when she defied a school board edict by bobbing her hair! Read the latest blog by Andy Ludlum by clicking HERE! |
|
| Engage with us on all our social media, where you will find our latest news, recaps, incredible artifacts, reels, historical photos, and art from our collections! Also – @museumofventuracounty on FB, TikTok, and Twitter. |
|
|
Inaugural Playwrights Festival
Peek behind the curtain and witness the birth of theatre in the making
Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, April 28
1 pm and 7 pm performances each day
@Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main St. Ventura
NACT offers a platform for emerging playwrights to showcase their talents. Four new plays have been selected from nationwide submissions. Staged reading performances will be presented by professional actors. The audience will have the opportunity to interact with the artists and provide feedback to the writers. Don’t miss this exciting theatrical experience. Festival ’24 is free to the community. To reserve your free ticket click HERE. |
|
|
Oxnard Film Society Presents: The Monday Night Foreign
Film Series
Oxnard Film Society presents the 17th annual “Monday Night Foreign Film Series” featuring films such as the upcoming Academy Award submission “The Promised Land” on April 15 and Venice Film Festival winner “Io Capitano” on May 6 showing at Plaza Cinemas 14 in Oxnard. Don’t miss out on these truly astounding cinematic offerings! For more information click HERE. |
|
|
MICOP Indigenous Knowledge Conference 2024
MICOP is proud to announce the return of our Indigenous Knowledge Conference(IKC). This year’s Conference theme is Reclaiming our Voices.
On April 26th, at Oxnard College, we welcome a few of our community’s brightest minds to share their insight on indigenous thought, creativity and health. We hope you, the academics and professionals of our community, will join us. Space is limited, so register now by clicking HERE. |
|
Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of
San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
