UPCOMING MVC EVENTS

Nowruz: Persian New Year Celebration

Sunday, March 23

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Celebrate the vibrant traditions of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, at the Museum of Ventura County! Immerse yourself in Persian culture with a stunning Haft-Seen display, Persian dancing by the Sahala Dancers, calligraphy demonstrations, and hands-on crafts for all ages. Savor authentic Persian cuisine available for purchase from Safir Catering. Perfect for families, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a rich cultural experience, this event is a true feast for the senses. For more information on this free event, click HERE.

Poetry in the Gallery

Wednesday, April 16

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Celebrate the power of poetry and art with six distinguished Ventura County poets: Mary Kay Rummel, Phil Taggart, Luzmaria Espinosa, Mary Ann McFadden, Marsha de la O, and Sean Colletti. Each poet will present original works inspired by the exhibition What is Beauty? Rethinking Women’s Portraiture in Art. Their readings will offer unique perspectives and creative interpretations of the artwork on display.

The program includes an hour of poetry, followed by a reception where guests can engage with the poets and continue the conversation. For free registration, click HERE.

Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Paul Harris

Thursday, April 17

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Enjoy a captivating evening featuring legendary photographer Paul Harris, interviewed by Ivor Davis. Doors open at 6 PM for refreshments.

From presidents to movie stars, rock legends to eccentric geniuses, Paul has been behind the lens for history-making moments. Now, he’s ready to share the fascinating inside stories behind his photographs.

Tickets are on sale: free for members, $10 non-members, $5 non-member Zoom. For more information and to purchase tickets to this event, click HERE.

MVC NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Museum of Ventura County expresses its heartfelt gratitude to those who have donated in honor of or in memory of a loved one or dear friend. Your unwavering support and commitment play a vital role in preserving and promoting the art, history, and culture of Ventura County.

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE CONTENT

Visit the Digital Archives HERE.

(Above: Photo ID 21771 PC)

“Even after 76 years, John Doughty’s memories as an 8-year-old in 1910 were as clear as if it were yesterday.”

Explore the local legacy of Halley’s Comet on the MVC THEN Blog.

Want to follow along on other social media platforms? Check out @museumofventuracounty on FB, TikTok, YouTube, and X.

Exhibitions

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY

What is Beauty? Rethinking Women’s Portraiture in Art

What is Beauty? 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.

Artists featured in the exhibition: Carlisle Cooper / Hiroko Yoshimoto / Johanna Spinks / John Nava / John Nichols – featured in exhibition logo / Kitty Botke / Lis Schwitters / Michael Ward / Neal Barr / Omar d’León / Robert Clunie.

This exhibition is made possible with the support of the Thomas and Esther Wachtell Family Endowment Fund and the Bonita C. McFarland Fund.

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. Alongside each artist’s work, videos explore the artists’ visions for their communities, creative influences, and experiences living in Ventura County.

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 with the support of the John Hammer Family, the City of Ventura, the County of Ventura, CAPS Media, and Whatako Productions.

Challengers of the Status Quo

A George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibition

Challengers of the Status Quo features the masterful work of renowned artist George Stuart. Through his remarkable three-dimensional?Historical Figures®, Stuart brings to life eleven individuals who defied the norms of their time and reshaped history.

Every intricately detailed figure depicts a changemaker who was bold enough to question the status quo. This exhibition invites guests to reflect on the impact of visionaries who shaped the world—and to consider how embracing new ideas can pave the way for a better future.

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.

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.

MVC RECOMMENDS

Trivia Night at the Museum

Hosted by VCLA Cohort Season 30

Benefitting Mountain Fire Disaster Relief

Friday, April 25, 2025

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

The Agriculture Museum, Santa Paula

Think “A Night at the Museum” meets museum art installation meets Ventura County trivia. The evening will be filled with conversation, laughter, cocktails, and plenty of insightful facts about our beloved County and the many diverse communities within. For information and tickets, click HERE!

Join Ojai Blues Harp Club!

Got a hankering to play some sweet blues harp? World renown blues harp educator, author, seminar leader, and pro harp player. Jon Gindick now lives in Ojai and facilitates Ojai’s new Blues Harmonica Club. The idea is to create a harp-player community for better learning, more fun, and the chance to jam with new friends. The club meets at 10am – 12pm the first Saturday of each month.

The club is for players of all levels including raw beginners. Jon is the author of Country & Blues Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless which has sold over 1,000,000 million copies.

For information, about the club click HERE. For more information about Jon, click HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Major funding for the programs at the Museum of Ventura County is made possible by City of Camarillo, City of Fillmore, City of Moorpark, City of Ojai, City of Oxnard, City of Port Hueneme, City of Santa Paula, City of Simi Valley, City of Thousand Oaks, City of Ventura, and the County of Ventura.

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.

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