Title: Golden West Days 1934, Library Staff Group Photo – Identifier: 7574 –

Date: 1934 – From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs.

MVC EVENTS

Farm Day 2024

Saturday, November 2

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

@Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Experience over 15 Ventura County farms, ranches, and agricultural organizations as they open their doors for Ventura County Farm Day! Visit the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula for Master Gardener-led tours, a selfie station, and a stand from the Santa Paula Certified Farmers Market. Plus, don’t miss a special talk at 11:00 a.m. by VC Poet Laureate and Community Activist Luzmaria Espinosa, who will share her experiences as a farmworker.

Farm Day is self-guided — explore the locations on the Farm Day Trail Map at your own pace, and we hope you put us on your map for the day! For more information, click HERE.

Studio Spotlight: InnoVision Artist Workshop with Elisa Torres

Sunday, November 3

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Explore the art of nicho-making with Elisa Torres, a featured artist in our InnoVision exhibition. In this workshop, you’ll create a nicho, a decorative shadow box rooted in Mexican/Latinx culture, often used to honor loved ones, particularly during Día de los Muertos. Using upcycled materials, Elisa will guide you through crafting your own unique nicho, where participants can also incorporate personal photos or keepsakes for added meaning. Open to artists of all skill levels. Participants must be 12 or older, with adult supervision. Cost is $60 for qualifying members and $65 for non-members. Register HERE.

WAITING LIST ONLY – A Members-Only Event: Bach to the Future with flutist Emi Ferguson

Thursday, November 7

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

A collaborative event between the Museum of Ventura County and the Ojai Music Festival.

A special evening featuring flutist Emi Ferguson, a favorite of Ojai Music Festival and Camerata Pacifica audiences. The evening will begin with guests exploring the Museum of Ventura County’s exhibits while enjoying a complimentary wine bar. Then, Emi will take attendees on a personal journey of the flute through time and place with a performance of Bach to the Future, an exploration of everything from Bach to the newest music—with some unexpected stops in between!

This members-only event has reached capacity. Please email lbrown@venturamuseum.org to be added to the waiting list. If you are interested in becoming an MVC Member to attend other events like this, click HERE.

Sip ‘n Shop at the Ag Museum

with Performances by Ventura County Ballet

Friday, November 22

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

@Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Celebrate the season with a festive shopping experience and a complimentary beverage!

From 4 pm – 6 pm, enjoy a special appearance by Ventura County Ballet as they present “Storytime and Excerpts,” an interactive preview of The Nutcracker. Plus, members enjoy a 10% discount on all in-store purchases. Join us for an evening of holiday cheer!

MVC NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Agriculture Museum Event Venue GIVEAWAY!

Exciting News! The Agriculture Museum is now open for special event rentals, and to celebrate, we’re offering a chance to win a FREE event rental!

Want to host a unique and memorable gathering? Enter now for a chance to win a rental valued at $4,000! Plus, everyone who enters will automatically receive 25% off their next booking.

To enter, click HERE, fill out the form, specify “Agriculture Museum,” and enter “AGWIN” in the “tell me more” section. Restrictions apply: Must book by July 1, 2025. Event coordinator required. Kitchen build not included. Additional terms may apply.

Become an MVC Docent!

Become part of the Docent Volunteer Council at the Museum of Ventura County! Enjoy exclusive tours, lectures, behind-the-scenes access, and special programs. Connect with fellow volunteers, explore local history, and even create your own research project.

The next session starts in January. For more information, contact Leila Benoun Kaseke by clicking HERE!

Upcoming George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibition, “Winter,” Opens November 21

Welcome to “Winter,” our upcoming 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. In response to the challenges of winter, people across the globe have crafted annual traditions to create their own warmth and find connection.

Join us on a global journey through the art of George Stuart as we uncover the diverse winter symbolism, customs, and celebrations that connect people to nature and, more importantly, to each other. Winter, with all its challenges, remains a season of warmth, unity, and wonder across the world.

Exhibitions

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY

The Curse of The Vampire: Tales from The Book of Nosferatu

Last Day to view is 11/17!

The Curse of The Vampire: Tales from The Book of Nosferatu is a collaborative exhibition that features seventeen George Stuart Historical Figures© enhanced by blown up retro comic book style illustrations created by artists, Paula Pugh and Weshoyot Alvitre.

The exhibition brings a fictional story to life, chronicling the rise and fall of a vampire dynasty from figures of Vlad the Impaler (the first alleged vampire) to Dracula to Alexander Cepesi (one of the last vampires). The story unfolds through illustrations created by Pugh and Alvitre in a retro comic book style.

George Stuart’s Historical Figures are two feet tall sculptures created using a wire armature, clay tape for bone and muscle structure, felt skin, and Icelandic sheepskin for hair. Among his creations are Nosferatu and Dracula-inspired figures, which explore Eastern European vampire legends.

InnoVision: Ventura County

Artists to Watch

InnoVision is an interactive exhibition that highlights the work of nine Ventura County artists. Through their innovative use of common materials, they create installations that reflect their personal visions and views of current issues such as the environment, immigration, identity, the housing shortage, and changing land usage in Ventura County.

In addition to the art, there are videos by each artist talking about their own artistic vision and innovation and the influence that living in Ventura County has on their work. Every installation poses a question for the visitor. Visitors are encouraged to leave their answers on the provided sticky notes.

Artists participating in the exhibition: Jasmine Delgado / María Adela Díaz / Daniela García Hamilton / Luke Matjas / Marianne McGrath / Gladys Rodríguez / Clark Song / Olguín Tapia Heredia / Elisa Torres.

This exhibition is made possible by the John Hammer Family, the City of Ventura, the County of Ventura, CAPS Media, and Whatako Productions

Masters from the Museum of

Ventura County Collection

Masters from the Museum of Ventura County Collection celebrates the extraordinary artistic legacy of seven artists who have significantly shaped Ventura County’s art history and achieved international acclaim. The exhibition presents a curated selection from MVC’s exceptional collection, featuring a variety of artistic styles.

From Jessie Arms Botke’s turn-of-the-century paintings to Omar d’León’s vibrant cross-hatching techniques, to the innovative ceramic glazing techniques of Beatrice Wood and Vivika and Otto Heino, the exhibition displays a dynamic range of work by established artists within our County.

Artists included in the exhibition: Jessie Arms Botke / Omar D’León / Otto Heino / Vivika Heino / Cheryl Ann Thomas / Beatrice Wood / Hiroko Yoshimoto.

This exhibition is made possible by the Thomas and Esther Wachtell Family Fund, the Bonita C. McFarland Fund, the City of Ventura, and the County of Ventura

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 building our fun-filled market.

Explore More Exclusive

MVC ONLINE CONTENT

MVC RECOMMENDS

CAPS Media Mural Project

Deadline November 15

CAPS Media Center, serving Ventura County residents, is seeking artists and artist teams based in Ventura County to submit proposals for a mural project to be located at their headquarters at 65 Day Rd. Ventura, CA.

This public art project is an investment in the local arts community and in support of CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. Learn more HERE!

OJAI HOLIDAY HOME TOUR & MARKETPLACE

November 16 & 17

10am-4pm

Guests visit four exceptional homes during the 2024 Ojai Holiday Home Tour & Marketplace. The tour offers a diverse array of homes that reflect the unique charm of Ojai and celebrates the various festive seasons with floral inspirations by local Ojai designers. Click HERE for more information.

Thank you to our event sponsors: TOLD Corporation, William and Elise Kearney, Ventura County Community College District, EJ Harrison & Sons, Hofer Properties, Jennifer and David Fukutomi, Montecito Bank & Trust, Pierpont Racquet Club & Nancy and Spencer Garrett, Kirby Subaru of Ventura, Ventura Spirits, Al and Petra Lowe, Jill and Edward Banman, Limoneira, Marie Callender’s, Puretec Industrial Water, Amigo Party Rentals, In the Mix Events, and Peirano’s.