Museum of Ventura County update for Nov. 22

Grab a friend and join Museum of Ventura County Resident Artist Ryan Carr for the first session of a twice-monthly figure-drawing group that will draw live, clothed models.

The group is free to attend and will alternate meeting locations between the Museum’s Smith Pavilion and meeting at local breweries. Bring your drawing pads, charcoal, pencils, pen and ink, pastels, whatever your favorite medium!

The first session will meet 6-8 p.m., November 28, at the Museum’s Smith Pavilion. All skill levels welcome. Some instruction provided. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

Pets of all kinds are welcome on Free First Sunday, December 3, as the Museum teams up with the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center(S.P.A.R.C.) for a fun-filled pet-focused day.  Dogs can enjoy a “Canine Cake Walk” featuring a yummy selection of biscuits and treats, and pet owners of all kinds will have fun with the pet-antlers craft, 1-3 p.m. (thanks to museum sponsor, Mimi Allin).

Santa will be there ready to have a photo taken with you and your pet. And if you don’t have a pet, S.P.A.R.C. will be “loaning” out (donations appreciated) a few of their gentlest dogs for your Santa photo. S.P.A.R.C. will be on hand with plenty of furry friends needing forever homes.

Please be aware that there will be many animals and young children attending the holiday pet event.The Museum asks that you use your best judgment when bringing your pet to this event. If you think your pet will be scared or feel threatened, consider leaving your animal at home and take advantage of S.P.A.R.C.’s gentle dog “loan” instead.

Coming in December

Experience first-hand, the iconic images created by renowned fashion and beauty photographer Neal Barr, and meet the artist at the opening reception, 6 – 8 p.m.,December 8, when the Museum of Ventura County launches its exciting new exhibition of Barr’s work, In High Style: The Photography of Neal Barr. Admission for the opening reception is $5 for members; $10 for non-members.

In High Style:The Photography of Neal Barr will be on display at the Museum,100 E. Main Street, Ventura, Dec. 8, 2017 through April 8, 2018.

Experience the story of the Mayan civilization, begun nearly 10,000 years ago and inhabiting today’s area of southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and portions of Honduras and El Salvador, as told through ‘Lost Empires: The Conquest of the Americas’ at the Museum of Ventura County, now through April 2018 at theMuseum of Ventura County.

Featuring the highly-detailed and historically-accurate George Stuart Historical Figures Collection, visitors will learn about the early beginnings of the Mayan civilization and its advancements in sophisticated art and mathematics, evident in 500 BC, as well as its architecture which rivaled that of Europe.

For more information, visit www.venturamuseum.org.

Free First Sundays and Appreciation Weekends

The museum offers Free First Sundays and free admission
for featured groups on designated Appreciation Weekends.
November 25-26 – 93062 – 93065
December 3 – Free First Sunday
December 9-10 – Lawyers and Doctors
December 23-24 – 93010 to 93012 (Camarillo)

Think of the wacky inventor who creates a comically complicated, laboriously-contrived contraption to perform a simple operation. Remember the game “Mousetrap?”

Now kids and their adults can have fun exploring mechanics and creating their own Rube Goldberg machines with a series of four fantastically-fun classes presented by popupeducation@icloud.com. Check out the schedule and class descriptions here.
To sign up, please email popupeducation@icloud.com. Classes meet at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura.

The Agriculture Museum is now open Wednesday thru Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Located in the historic Mill building built in 1888 in downtown Santa Paula, the Ag Museum houses exhibits and a broad collection of tractors, farming implements, a living beehive and interactive activity stations for kids. These exhibits help visitors of all ages understand the importance of agriculture in Ventura County and around the world.

Located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, 93060. Ample free parking.
For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or call 805.525.3100

Looking for a local event venue in Ventura County? Both the Museum of Ventura County and theAgriculture Museum in Santa Paula are historic, full service, indoor/outdoor event venues that display the true culture and beauty of Ventura County. The Museum partners with Main Course California Catering, a premier caterer with a full-service event and production team dedicated to making your event planning experience simple and stress-free. Click here for more information.