The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves, and interprets the art, history, and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands, and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications, and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. The Museum has two locations – the main museum is located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura (805-653-0323). The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula (805-525-3100). Both museums are open Thursdays through Sundays, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – www.venturamuseum.org.
Upcoming Events and Activities:
Saturday, April 9th, 2:00 p.m. – “Mariposas del Campo” documentary – The Museum of Ventura County screens, “Mariposas del Campo,” an award-winning film by Bill Yahraus and Robin Rosenthal and sponsored by the Latino Advisory Committee, Oxnard Film Society, and MICOP. The film shares the stories of indigenous Mixtec, Zapotec, and Purépecha teenagers from Mexico striving to change their families’ destinies in the strawberry fields of Oxnard. The documentary captures their journeys—with help from the characters’ own intimate videos—as they navigate cultural identity, parental expectations, economic challenges, and the justice needs of their migrant farmworker community. The screening kicks off with pre-event music by Juan Mendoza at 2:00 p.m. Film begins at 3:00 p.m. with English to Spanish/Mixteco translations. (Free Bilingual Event with registration at www.venturamuseum.org. Attendees will be required to provide proof of vaccination. If they cannot, they must take a rapid test onsite and show a negative result before entry. Masks will be required.)
Sunday, April 10th, 11:00 a.m. – Mono Print Workshop with Margaret Garcia – This fundamental mono print workshop hosted by The Museum of Ventura County provides the opportunity for students to learn from prolific artists Margaret Garcia and Bonnie Lambert. Create and walk away with your very own monoprint in hand. Supplies will be provided for the workshop, but it is recommended that students arrive with their own paintbrushes. This class is for anyone 16 years of age and over. (Free to Museum Members, Non-members $20, Students $10 with student ID. Proof of vaccination is required for attendees over 12 years of age. Register at www.venturamuseum.org)
Wednesday, April 13th, 6:30 p.m. – Life Drawing with Cathy Barroca and Barbara Brown – Join the Museum of Ventura County for open model drawing sessions with nude and clothed models every other Wednesday through early November. Arts educator Cathy Barroca, holds an M.F.A. in painting and printmaking, is known for painting the 100-ft mural “Portrait of a Neighborhood” located in Casa de Anza Library, and has been sharing her talents teaching at Ventura College since 1998. Every experience level is welcome. Chairs and easels will be provided. Artists must bring their own supplies. 10-35 participants per class. ($10 per class for Museum Members and Students with student ID, Non-members $20 per class. Proof of vaccination is required for attendees over 12 years of age. Register at www.venturamuseum.org)
Friday, April 22nd – Sunday, April 24th – The Ventura County Flower and Weed Show and Exhibit – This series and pop-up exhibit, hosted by the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula and sponsored by the Ventura County Weed Management Area, celebrates the wide variety of plants in Ventura County. Visit to learn about the invasive Arundo plant and how it negatively impacts our vital watersheds, early detection and rapid response for invasive weeds, Romain Young’s 1916 local plant collection, and more. The series kicks off at 1:00 p.m. on Friday with a presentation about the Arundo plant. (Free, Drop-in, Bilingual Event)
Saturday, April 23rd, 2:00 p.m. – “Not If But When” documentary – The Museum of Ventura County screens, “Not If But When,” an award-winning film by Radu Sava and co-hosted by the Ventura County Library Foundation and the Ventura County Library. The documentary discusses how wildfires are becoming a global issue, with California among the hardest hit. The film is based on interviews with leading experts from state, federal, and grassroots organizations, water agencies, and community partnerships. This film event complements the “Rising from the Ashes” tour of homes rebuilt after the Thomas Fire, presented by the Ventura County Library Foundation on Saturday, April 30, 2022. For more information about the home tour, please visit www.vclibraryfoundation.org. (Free Event. Proof of vaccination is required for attendees over 12 years of age. Register for the documentary screening at www.venturamuseum.org)
Thursday, April 28th, 6:30 p.m. – Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Bob Eubanks – The Museum of Ventura County invites guests to an evening with Ivor Davis Up Close and Personal with Bob Eubanks. Many recognize Bob Eubanks as a TV personality and game show host, best known for hosting the explosively popular "The Newlywed Game." In this fun evening, you will also learn about the Bob Eubanks you may not know, including the little-known story of how meeting the Beatles helped launch his career, all the twists and turns that recently earned him a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award, and so much more. (Free for members in-person or Zoom, $10 for non-members in-person, $5 for non-members on Zoom. Proof of vaccination is required for attendees over 12 years of age. Register at www.venturamuseum.org)
