Title: Children and Dogs on Beach – Identifier: 3043 – Date: circa early 1900’s

From the MVC Research Library Digitized Photographs.

MVC EVENTS

9th Annual Labor Day Tractor Fair

Monday, September 2

11:00 am – 2:00 pm

@Agriculture Museum

926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula

Join us for the Agriculture Museum’s 9th Annual Labor Day Tractor Fair on September 2nd, immediately following the Santa Paula Labor Day Parade. This beloved community event celebrates Santa Paula’s diverse agricultural heritage with family-friendly activities, live music by Whole Hog, captivating presentations and tours, and a deep appreciation for our local farming culture. Thank you to Topa Topa Flywheelers for helping make this event possible. For more information click HERE!

Ventura County Chronicles: Unveiling the Archives

Saturday, September 7

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Embark on a journey through the pages of Ventura County’s past with a librarian guide! Through this introduction, you will learn to make the most of: physical collections & resources, the reading room, and finding aids to the collections. This is the second part of our series which will focus on navigating the physical collection. Whether you’re a seasoned historian or just starting out, this session is tailored to ensure you gain practical hands-on skills that enhance your connection to our regional history. Space is limited, free registration is required by clicking HERE.

Taste of History Dinner

Thursday, September 12

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Journey back in time for a classic evening of refined taste and unexpected histories. This open-air dinner will transport diners to an elegant mid-century supper club with a three-course meal and wine pairing. The decadent evening will begin with a cocktail hour and red carpet followed by dinner, an artful auction, and entertainment including a live jazz quartet, cooking demonstration, historic artifact gallery, and an oral history reading. Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available HERE!

Thank you to our sponsors: TOLD Corporation, William and Elise Kearney, Hofer Properties, Pierpont Racquet Club & Nancy and Spencer Garrett, Puretec Industrial Water, Jill and Edward Banman, and Kirby Subaru of Ventura.

MVC NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Featured National Geographic Photographer, Diego Huerta, in Residency at MVC!

Museum of Ventura County and Chief Curator, Carlos Ortega, are excited to welcome featured National Geographic Photographer, Diego Huerta, for a residency throughout the month of August. Huerta will be photographing for our upcoming exhibition, “In Focus: Indigenous Diaspora of Ventura County,” which will open in February 2025 at the Agriculture Museum.

Last weekend, MVC’s Latino Advisory Committee held a meet and greet for Huerta hosted by Oxnard Performing Arts Center (OPAC) and attended by many community friends including Consulado de México en Oxnard’s Ambassador Ricardo Santana Velazquez and Consul Juan Antonio Cid Dávila, as well as MVC’s Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director, Elena Brokaw and Chief Curator, Carlos Ortega.

Thank you to OPAC for sponsoring this gathering, and thank you to all who joined us and worked behiond the scenes to make it a wonderful afternoon!

Museums for All

Exciting Announcement!

Museum of Ventura County is happy to announce that we have joined ‘Museums for All,’ an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, in partnership with the Association of Children’s Museums, to make art and culture accessible to everyone!

Through this initiative, we now offer FREE admission to all EBT cardholders! Discover more about this wonderful program and see the full list of participating museums by visiting the link HERE!

Educator Internship Opportunity

The Museum Educator Internship at the Museum of Ventura County offers valuable experience engaging local TK-12 students, teachers, and families in the art, culture, and history of Ventura County. This internship is a paid 6 to 12-month professional learning experience that provides aspiring museum and education professionals with experience. To learn more about this opportunity and how to apply, please click HERE!

August Puzzles

Theme: Family Pets

Celebrate International Cat Day on August 8th and National Dog Day on August 26th with our August Puzzle theme: “Family Pets!” Unwind and have fun with these puzzles featuring adorable pet photos from the Museum of Ventura County Research Library Archives. Let’s honor our furry friends together. Choose one, or complete them all by clicking HERE!

Exhibitions

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY

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

George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibit, Napoleon: Revolution, Romance, and Rivalries

Last Day: September 15!

Explore the complex life of Napoleon Bonaparte in a new exhibition of George Stuart Historical Figures®. As a charismatic leader, military strategist, and political figure, Napoleon rose to power during the tumultuous aftermath of the French Revolution. Immerse yourself in his journey, from the forces that propelled him to prominence, his marriages, and his entwined destinies with other global leaders. Through George Stuart’s intricate creations, experience Napoleon Bonaparte’s significant impact on the course of history.

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

The History of the Rancho Camarillo Horses

Sunday, August 11

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo

Join the Camarillo Ranch Foundation for a new exhibit opening – The History of the Rancho Camarillo Horses. Enjoy “Stallion of a Dream” documentary, white horses, house tours, and refreshments. Click HERE for more information!

Somis School

Centennial Celebration

Saturday, September 14

11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Somis School 5268 North Street, Somis.

Come celebrate the 100th birthday of Somis School’s North Street site.This is a FREE event! Food trucks, free raffle items, and lots of memorabilia. Meet up with friends from the past and share memories! Click HERE for more information.