Title: Ruby and Rosa Vanegas as Children – Identifier: 26919

From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs

MVC EVENTS

SOLD OUT – Studio Spotlight: Screen Printing Workshop with Clark Song

Sunday, January 5

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

@California Cut Studio

255 Lambert St. Unit 10, Oxnard

Join the Museum of Ventura County for a unique screen printing workshop led by Clark Song! Hosted in Clark’s studio, this exclusive session allows participants to make their own t-shirt using one of his incredible designs. Dive into the creative process with hands-on screen printing techniques and get inspired by Clark’s journey as an artist and entrepreneur. He’ll also share valuable insights on starting a business rooted in art. This workshop is perfect for aspiring artists, creatives, or anyone looking for a fun, hands-on experience to kick off the new year!

Registration fees: qualifying members $60, non-members $65. SOLD OUT.

Opening Reception: What is Beauty? Rethinking Women’s Portraiture in Art

Friday, January 17

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Join us for the Opening of What is Beauty? Rethinking Women’s Portraiture in Art in the Wachtell Gallery at the Museum of Ventura County. This exhibition invites us to explore diverse perspectives on beauty through fourteen portraits by Ventura County artists from the Museum’s permanent collection.

Spanning works created between 1939 and 2011, this exhibition showcases a range of styles—from vibrant realism to minimalist simplicity—challenging traditional standards shaped by art, media, and society. Featured artists Carlisle Cooper, Hiroko Yoshimoto, Johanna Spinks, John Nava, John Nichols, Kitty Botke, Lis Schwitters, Michael Ward, Neal Barr, Omar d’León, and Robert Clunie offer eclectic interpretations of women’s portraiture.

Experience the beauty of the evening with live music from Ventura Music Festival, beer and wine for sale, and an atmosphere sure to inspire. Register free of charge by clicking HERE!

This exhibition is made possible by the Thomas and Esther Wachtell Family Fund

and the Bonita C. McFarland Fund

Opening Reception – Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura

(In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County)

Saturday, February 8

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

@Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Únase a nosotros en el Museo de la Agricultura para la inauguración de esta esperada exposición que muestra más de 40 retratos fotográficos del fotógrafo de fama internacional Diego Huerta. Estos retratos destacan las vibrantes y resistentes comunidades indígenas mexicanas del condado de Ventura. Disfrute de las actuaciones de Los Elegidos de Asís y Las Chinas Oaxaqueñas-Las Isabeles, comentarios de los artistas, y comida y bebida. Para más detalles sobre la exposición, haga clic AQUÍ. Los detalles de la recepción sólo para miembros están AQUÍ. Para confirmar su asistencia a la recepción inaugural gratuita, haga clic AQUÍ.

Join us at the Agriculture Museum for this highly anticipated exhibition opening showcasing over 40 photographic portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta. These portraits highlight the vibrant and resilient Mexican Indigenous communities of Ventura County. Enjoy performances by Los Elegidos de Asís and Las Chinas Oaxaqueñas—Las Isabeles, artist remarks, and food and beverages. For exhibition details, click HERE. Members-only preview details are HERE. To RSVP for the free, community opening reception, click HERE.

This exhibition is made possible by the Busch Family Foundation, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, and Gabriella Navarro-Busch and Peter Busch

MVC NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Agriculture Museum Closure

Monday, January 13 – Friday, February 7, 2025

The Agriculture Museum will be closed while the MVC team installs the upcoming exhibition, Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura!

If you have not seen our current exhibition, Ventura County, The Place We Call Home – A Community Experience, or if you would like to revisit, it will be open to view until Sunday, January 12.

Gift an MVC Membership!

The Museum of Ventura County is powered by its members and inspired by the vibrant community we serve.

Give the gift of art, history, culture, and connection with an MVC Membership! It’s an especially thoughtful choice for the educators in your life, who enjoy a 20% discount. Explore all the perks of membership by clicking HERE!

Exhibitions

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY

Masters from the Museum of

Ventura County Collection

Closes January 5, 2025

Masters from the Museum of Ventura County Collectioncelebrates 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

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

Winter, A George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibition

Welcome to “Winter,” our newest exhibition of the George Stuart Historical Figures®. Delving into the enchanting world of winter, this 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 world 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.

Exhibitions

AGRICULTURE MUSEUM

Ventura County, The Place

We Call Home – A

Community Experience

Closes January 12, 2025

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.

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.

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.

Special thanks to Santa Paula’s former mayor, Carlos Juarez for building our fun-filled market.

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MVC ONLINE CONTENT

MVC RECOMMENDS

City of Santa Clarita hiring for – Museum Curator, Collection Management

Do you have a passion for historical preservation and conservation? The City of Santa Clarita is looking for a dedicated professional to oversee the daily care of the William S. Hart Park Museum’s collections and exhibits. If you have experience in historical preservation, collections management or a related field, consider applying for this position. To learn more or to submit your application, click HERE!

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 and 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.