Title: Hotel Leewood, Ventura, Dated February 1928, Photographer Unknown

Identifier: 28862 – From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs

UPCOMING MVC EVENTS

UC Master Gardener Open House: Gardening is Elemental

Saturday, February 22

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

@Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Explore the Agriculture Museum’s Helen K. Pidduck Garden and learn how to use the basic elements of earth, wind, fire, and water in home gardening strategies to support sustainable agriculture. Learn how to plan and create a productive food garden that thrives in Ventura County’s coastal climate. There will be a presentation at 11:30 am given by UC Master Gardener Terry Garman. This will be followed by two hands-on workshops: putting together an irrigation system and effective composting techniques.

To register for this free event, click HERE. This third annual open house celebrates MVC’s collaborative partnership with the University of California Master Gardener Program.

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. To register for this free event, click HERE.

MVC NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

2025 Student Art Scholarships

Applications Open Now

This year, MVC is offering two scholarships for Ventura County student artists: the Gail Faulkner Memorial Arts Scholarship and the Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship for the Visual Arts. Applications are open until April 6. Click HERE for details.

February Digitized Puzzles

Theme: Weddings

February Digitized Puzzles are here! Choose your favorite image and start piecing together a bit of nostalgia and festive fun. Perfect for a cozy evening at home or sharing a fun challenge with loved ones! Click HERE to start puzzling.

Last Chance to Experience Winter

Closing February 23

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this global journey of George Stuart Historical Figures® and uncover the myriad of diverse winter traditions across the globe. Click HERE for more information on this exhibition.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!

Recepción inaugural de Enfoque: Voces indígenas mexicanas del condado de Ventura en el Museo de Agricultura

Opening Reception for In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County

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.

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.

Winter, A George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibition

Last Day to Visit: Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025

Welcome to Winter, our latest 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

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 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. 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.

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.

MVC RECOMMENDS

Open Studio at Studio Channel Islands

Saturday, March 1

11:00 am – 4:00pm

@Studio Channel Islands Art Center

Visit the Studio Channel Islands Art Center (2222 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo) to explore the studios of dozens of local artists and engage with our wonderful creative community. Free admission and free parking. For more information, click HERE.

Raymundo Olivas’s Birthday Celebration

Sunday, March 9

11:00 am – 3:00pm

@Olivas Adobe Historical Park

The Olivas Adobe Historical Park celebrates the birthday of Raymundo Olivas, the family patriarch who built the Rancho home. This event will feature tours of the Rancho and historical activities. Explore more events at Olivas Adobe 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.