Thousands of years of Mexico’s creative tradition are reflected in the Museum of Ventura County’s upcoming events and three exhibitions running February 25 through May 27, 2012, at their Ventura location.

Two of the exhibitions celebrate the art of music and sculpture: Music before Columbus: the Collection of Luis Perez, featuring rare Pre-Columbian musical instruments from Mesoamerica, and The White Instruments: Recent Creations by Luis Perez, modern wind and percussion instruments sculpted in clay. The Pre-Columbian inspired pieces are used by Perez to compose and record contemporary music. Perez will give a related presentation:

The Pre-Columbian World of Music, Dance & Ritual: Lecture by Luis Perez

Sunday, March 11

2:00 p.m.

For much of his life, Mexican-born musician Luis Perez has researched and studied Pre-Columbian music, mythology and ritual, archaeological artifacts, and the living musical traditions of Mexico. During the lecture, Perez will talk about a selection of musical instruments featured in the Music Before Columbus exhibition, as well as demonstrate their unique sounds.

Admission is $5 and includes entrance to all galleries. Museum members are free. For reservations, call 805- 653-0323 x 7.

The exhibition Hilos de la Vida / Threads of Life, features woven pieces from the Bii Daüü Zapotec Arts Center, as well as Time and Space, modern interpretations by Zapotec weaver and artist Porfirio Gutierrez of Ventura. Accompanying events include:

From Tradition to Innovation: The Weavers of Teotitlán del Valle

Sunday, March 25

2:00 p.m.

Guest artisan Lorenzo Bautista of the Bii Daüü Zapotec Arts Center in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca, and local artist and weaver Porfirio Gutierrez will come together to discuss the designs, techniques and the process involved in the creation of their textiles.

Admission is $5 and includes entrance to all galleries. Museum members are free. For reservations, call 805- 653-0323 x7.

Dyeing Demonstration

Sunday, April 1

1:00-3:00 pm

A whole spectrum of colors can be obtained from plants, animals and fungi. Join guest artisans Mariano Sosa and Lorenzo Bautista as they explain the use of organic materials in creating natural dyes and demonstrate the process of dyeing yarns for weaving. Artist Porfirio Gutierrez will be demonstrating weaving techniques in the gallery.

The event and museum admission are free (all first Sundays of the month are free admission for the general public, at both the Museum of Ventura County in Ventura and its Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula).

"Woven Lives”: Documentary Film Screening

Thursday, May 10

7:00 pm

Drawing upon the beauty of the people and landscape of Oaxaca, Mexico, "Woven Lives" provides a look at contemporary Zapotec weavers from six different villages in the region. The documentary by Carolyn Kallenborn celebrates the colors and techniques of thee unique textiles and illustrates how the art of weaving cloth has helped the Zapotecs retain their culture and identity for thousands of years.

Admission is $5 and includes and includes entry to all museum galleries before the screening. Museum members are free. For reservations, call 805- 653-0323 x 7.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission to the exhibitions is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.