Museum of Ventura County — Play Date in the Garden with Pinaysphere, more news, events

Title: Men Surf Fishing Near Port Hueneme Pier (circa 1940)

Identifier: 34965 – From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs

Located in the heart of historic downtown Ventura, the Museum of Ventura County is the perfect setting for meetings and events. Additionally, the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula offers beautiful gardens and an equipped indoor space, providing another charming venue option. Both locations are ideal for hosting memorable gatherings.

UPCOMING MVC EVENTS

 

 

Play Date in the Garden with Pinaysphere

Friday, October 17

2 – 4 p.m.

@the Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula

Join us for a vibrant Play Date in the Garden with Pinaysphere, where kids dive into Filipino culture by crafting their own bahay kubo! A bahay kubo is a traditional Filipino house built on stilts, made from natural materials like bamboo and coconut fibers, showcasing Filipino ingenuity, sustainability, and community spirit. This playful activity celebrates the simplicity and creativity of these iconic homes, known for their adaptability and resourcefulness. Led by Pinaysphere, an organization dedicated to empowering Filipino women and youth through art and culture, this event will be filled with fun, learning, and creativity as we explore the beauty of Filipino heritage together! Register online HERE.

Filipino American Fiesta

Sunday, October 19

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main Street., Ventura

Celebrate culture and community at the Filipino American Fiesta! Join us for a vibrant afternoon filled with inspiring speakers, traditional Filipino dance performances, and delicious merienda (snacks). Discover the rich history and diverse stories of Filipino Americans through music, art, and conversation. Explore local Filipino-owned businesses, community organizations, and art that highlight the past, present, and future of the Filipino American experience. This family-friendly event offers something for everyone—come connect, learn, and celebrate with us! Get more information about this free event HERE.

Film Fright Night

Friday, October 24

5 – 9 p.m.

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main Street., Ventura

Featuring the Nights of Nosferatu exhibition, this event showcases George Stuart’s collection of grotesque Nosferatu figurines and includes a special screening of the vampire cult classic, “The Lost Boys.” Visitors can enjoy food and drinks available for purchase, ensuring an evening filled with bites, beverages, and bloodsuckers. A blend of art, cinema, and the supernatural, this Film Fright Night entices visitors to explore the darker side of MVC.

This event is for visitors 18 and older. Under 18 not admitted without an adult/guardian.

Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE CONTENT

Read our newest MVC Then blog, Chasing Marion: Ventura County’s Notorious Burglar

UNCOVER THE STORY of Juan Marion, a burglar who robbed dozens of homes, stores and railroad cars in the 1920s while evading the law in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

DISCOVER the riveting story of Walter Scott Chaffee, a courageous shopkeeper in Civil War-era California who stood guard with a loaded shotgun to protect the American flag outside his store in San Buenaventura. In a region divided by pro-Southern sentiment, Chaffee’s quiet defiance and steadfast loyalty to the Union made him a lasting symbol of courage during one of the nation’s most turbulent times.

Exhibitions

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY

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

Step into a chilling world where history, myth and comic-art collide. This immersive exhibit features seventeen towering George Stuart Historical Figures®, paired with vivid retro comic-style illustrations by Paula Pugh and Weshoyot Alvitre, to narrate a sweeping vampire saga from Vlad the Impaler to Dracula and beyond. Discover how sculpture and storytelling fuse to bring dark legends to life in unexpected ways. More information HERE.

Picturing the Past: How Photography Tells Our Stories

How do we truly know what happened in the past? History is a collection of stories—interwoven, evolving, and shaped by the evidence left behind. Photographs are one of the many tools that help us understand the past, capturing faces, places, and moments frozen in time. But do they always tell the full story?

This engaging exhibition explores the power of photography to record our history. Through images, artifacts, and interactive displays, visitors will discover how historians use photographs to uncover hidden narratives, challenge assumptions, and bring history to life. Join us in exploring the early history of photography in Ventura County, how photos shape our understanding of the past, and how the photos we take today tell tomorrow’s story. More information HERE!

Moments of Rest: A Visual Sanctuary

Rest is not a luxury—it is essential. In a world that glorifies busyness, art offers a space for stillness and reflection.

This serene exhibition invites you to slow down and experience rest through landscape paintings from the Museum of Ventura County’s permanent collection. Let the calming ocean waves, the golden valley light, and the dreamy haze of imagined horizons create a moment of peace.

 

Take a breath. Absorb the beauty. Allow yourself to simply be.?Moments of Rest?is your invitation to pause, reflect, and recharge. More information HERE!

Exhibitions

AGRICULTURE MUSEUM

Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura

(In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County)

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. Para más detalles sobre la exposición, haga clic AQUÍ.

Join us at the Agriculture Museum for this highly anticipated exhibition showcasing over 40 photographic portraits by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta. These portraits highlight the vibrant and resilient Mexican Indigenous communities of Ventura County. For exhibition details, click HERE.

This exhibition is made possible with the support of Hofer Properties and Ventura Auto Center, the Busch Family Foundation, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, Gabriella Navarro-Busch and Peter Busch, and Vida Newspaper.

Join the Docent Volunteer Council!

Be part of a vibrant community of lifelong learners making a difference at the Museum of Ventura County.

 

Member Benefits:

  • Exclusive training and lectures on Ventura County art and history
  • Quarterly gatherings with fellow docents
  • Sneak-peek tours of upcoming exhibitions
  • Private visits to other local museums

 

Training Program:

  • Curated reading, listening, and viewing selections
  • Behind-the-scenes orientations at MVC sites
  • Opportunity to create and share your own research project

 

The next docent training begins in January. Sign up today!

 

EMAIL OR CALL:

Leila Benoun Kaseke

Education & Engagement Specialist

(805) 653-0323 x300

lbenoun@venturamuseum.org

Make sure to stop by our GIFT SHOP!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Major funding for the programs at the Museum of Ventura County is made possible by City of CamarilloCity of FillmoreCity of MoorparkCity of OjaiCity of OxnardCity of Port HuenemeCity of Santa PaulaCity of Simi ValleyCity of Thousand OaksCity of Ventura, and the County of Ventura.

Thank you to our sponsors: The John and Glenda Hammer Family, TOLD Corporation, The Heritage Fund at VCCF, California Resources Corporation, William and Elise Kearney, Hofer Properties, HP Media, Ventura Auto Center, FTI Services, Ventura Music Festival, Ventura County Community College DistrictMontecito Bank & TrustVentura SpiritsLimoneiraAmigo Party RentalsIn the Mix EventsPeirano’s, Image Source and Mustang Marketing.

Make a difference in YOUR community by donating to MVC today.

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
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