A large group of people gather for a portrait outside of the old Lopez Adobe, circa 1900. Identifier: 5205 from MVC digitized photos

MVC Programs

Autism Society Ventura County Presents: Celebrating the Autistic Mind Art Show

Opening Reception Thursday, January 11

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Museum of Ventura County welcomes Autism Society Ventura County’s “Celebrating the Autistic Mind Art Show” January 11 – 14 from 11 am – 5 pm daily with a special opening reception on January 11 from 5:30 – 7 pm. Explore the imaginative works of 43 neurodiverse artists of all ages. Reserve your spot HERE and immerse yourself in creativity!

Hobson Heights Documentary Premiere & Pop-up Exhibit – Documentary Tickets SOLD OUT

Saturday, January 20

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

For those who have reservations to the documentary, please note there will be two showings. The first is from 3 pm – 4 pm, and the second from 5 pm – 6 pm.

If you do not have reservations to the documentary, you are invited to join the other festivities including live music by Barrelhouse Wailers (sponsored by The Grape), cash bar, Hobson Heights historic exhibit and Hobson Heights art exhibit along with 1920s vintage cars.

Exhibits, music and festivities open to the public. The film screenings are by reservation only.

Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with The Beatles

Thursday, January 25

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Ventura County author and journalist Ivor Davis had a front row, eyewitness seat as The Beatles revolution unfolded in all its gory detail. He travelled with them, ate with them, drank with them, and reveals the behind-the-scenes story of what unfolded from sea to shining sea in his 60th anniversary “Beatles and Me on Tour” book. Doors open at 6 pm for refreshments. Those who are not able to join in-person are invited to view via Zoom. Registration is free for members at the Individual/Family level and higher, $10 non-members, $5 non-members Zoom. Registration and information can be found HERE.

Zine Lab

Friday, February 2

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

@Museum of Ventura County

100 E. Main St., Ventura

Unleash your creativity at the Museum of Ventura County’s Zine Lab! Join us for a unique community gathering where the vibrant worlds of art, expression, and advocacy collide. Dive into the rich resources of the Museum’s library, channeling inspiration from Ventura County’s diverse heritage. Unearth your passions and transform them into powerful, pocket-sized publications – zines! This hands-on experience invites you to craft visually compelling narratives around issues close to your heart. From social justice to personal stories, your voice matters. Don’t miss this empowering opportunity to amplify community voices! Registration and information can be found HERE.

MVC NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

MVC Bonita C. McFarland Visual Arts Scholarships

Open Now!

The Museum of Ventura County is now accepting applications for its Bonita C. McFarland Visual Arts Scholarship! The deadline to apply is April 7, 2024. Fueling artistic dreams, MVC’s Bonita C. McFarland Scholarship empowers Ventura County’s emerging artists. It’s not just a scholarship, it’s a voice amplifier, paving the way for a vibrant, art-rich future for our community. Click HERE for more information and application.

January Puzzles

Featuring Fillmore

Take a moment or two to relax with an online jigsaw puzzle that has been created using photographs from the Museum’s digital collection. The monthly puzzles may remind you of areas in our County where you have happy memories, or inspire you to visit a yet undiscovered place! The January theme is Fillmore. Choose a puzzle HERE.

Membership News

To celebrate our new members, we have awarded one lucky supporter a beautiful California marquee light made by Ventura-based designer Scott Coppersmith. This 3′ tall upcycled creation reinterprets the brilliance of the Golden State and makes us ever more proud to be part of such a creative community! THANK YOU, Scott Coppersmith Designs, for donating this fabulous light fixture to one of our valued members!

2024 All-New Membership Perks!

Membership Benefits Await

MVC is thrilled to announce the relaunch of its Membership Program, welcoming supporters to join the cultural community and become part of an exciting new chapter at the Museum. MVC’s updated Membership Program features accessible payment options, two new membership levels, and an expanded selection of member events and benefits. View the details HERE.

Exhibits

MUSEUM OF VENTURA COUNTY

George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibit, “Winter”

Welcome to “Winter,” our current exhibition of the George Stuart Historical Figures®. Delving into the enchanting world of winter, the 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, affecting both our bodies and our moods. In response to the challenges of winter, people across the globe have crafted annual traditions to create their own warmth and find connection.

Join us on a global journey through the art of George Stuart Historical Figures® as we uncover the diverse winter symbolism, customs, and celebrations that tether us to nature and, more importantly, to each other. For more information, click HERE.

Spin Cycle: Unfolding the

Science of Laundry

Everybody’s clothes get dirty, so we all must deal with the dreaded laundry. Through the years people have tried different ways to clean their clothes, and now we have the science to explain why some of those methods actually work!

Using 19th and early 20th century laundry items from MVC’s historical collection, visitors will learn about the “how” and “who” behind everyone’s least favorite chore. Let’s explore how our everyday world works together.

This exhibit is made possible by the

Ventura County Credit Union

Proximity to Water: Works from MVC’s Permanent Collection

Come be inspired by the ever-changing coast captured by our regional artists.

From plein air painting to photography, the mutable coast provides an endless supply of inspiration. Art helps us admire, respect, and revere our region, reminding us of our own place in the natural world. Proximity means a closeness in space, time, or relationship. These artworks from the Museum’s permanent collection bring us closer to the water, both visually and in feeling.

This exhibit is made possible by the Esther and Thomas Wachtell Family Fund, the Paul and Anne Leavens Family Fund and the Bonita C. McFarland Fund

The Murder of Tom More:

A True Crime Story

In the early hours of March 24th 1877, a mob of angry settlers set fire to Thomas More’s barn and shot him at least 10 times. Motivated by a passionate battle over land ownership and water rights turned deadly, news of his murder rippled through California.

Amid the rubble of lies, perjuries, briberies, and omissions in the historical record, there are mysteries regarding his death that remain forever unsolved. His story stands today as a warning about the strong emotions unleashed over our limited natural resources.

This exhibit is made possible by

the John Hammer Family

Exhibits

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.

Exhibits 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 Exhibit

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 volunteering his time in

building our fun-filled market.

Explore More Exclusive

MVC ONLINE CONTENT

MVC RECOMMENDS

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Underwater Parks Day

Celebrate Underwater Parks Day with free admission to the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf, January 20, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, thanks to support from The Moeller Lab at UC Santa Barbara. Enjoy the Sea Center’s interactive exhibits, storytime, and activities with festival partners like Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, Channel Islands Restoration, and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.

Underwater Parks Day celebrates Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), or “underwater parks,” that preserve the biodiversity and abundance of ocean life in our coastal waters. Find out more information HERE!