Courtesy photos,
Reception to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 at The Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula.
SANTA PAULA — The Museum of Ventura County’s newest exhibition will celebrate and highlight the pride and resilience of the Mexican Indigenous community living in the region through photographic portraits taken by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta during his month-long 2024 Artist Residency at the Museum of Ventura County. Sixteen large-format photographs are accompanied by quotes from the individuals portrayed, revealing deep emotional connections to their cultural heritage and expressing pride, hope, and a commitment to preserving their traditions as they make Ventura County their home. For almost two decades, Mr. Huerta has been photographing Pueblos Originarios—Indigenous communities—in Mexico. This is the first time he has photographed these groups outside of Mexico.
MVC Chief Curator Carlos Ortega said, “There is a quiet spirituality to Diego’s work. Through his lens, he elevates and honors his subjects, capturing their pride and rich cultural heritage that strengthens our community and our county.”
The main groups featured in this exhibition are the Mixteco, Zapotec, Purépecha, Maya, Nahua, and Otomí. The photographs offer a glimpse into each of these communities, which enrich and contribute to Ventura County through their traditional knowledge, cultural work, music and dance, pride in their traditional clothing, delicious cuisine, and strong values such as hard work, honesty, integrity, community, and the “tequio” ethic: working together to help each other. While this exhibition celebrates Mexican Indigenous communities, it also tells the broader human story of people who move or migrate to new places, bringing their traditions and creating a new home.
About the Photographer: Diego Huerta
Diego Huerta is an internationally known documentary photographer and cinematographer from Mexico, now living in Austin, Texas. Specializing in portraiture, he has dedicated over 18 years to capturing the lives of Mexico’s Indigenous peoples, creating a vital photographic archive. His striking images elevate his subjects with dignity and strength. His photographs have often graced the pages of magazines such as National Geographic.
About the Museum — The Museum of Ventura County engages participants in meaningful experiences with history, art, culture, and each other by aspiring to spark curiosity and encourage compassion to build community and connection. The Museum has two locations – the main museum is located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura, California (805-653-0323). The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, California (805-525-3100). Both museums are open Thursdays through Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – venturamuseum.org