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In Focus: Mexican Indigenous Voices of Ventura County

At the Agriculture Museum
Ongoing Exhibit

This exhibition features over 40 powerful photographic portraits of representatives of Mexican Indigenous communities in Ventura County, taken by internationally acclaimed photographer Diego Huerta during his month-long Artist-in-Residence at the Museum of Ventura County. For more than 18 years, Diego has been photographing Pueblos Originarios—Indigenous communities—in Mexico. This is the first time he has photographed these groups outside of Mexico.

The main groups featured in this exhibition are the Mixteco, Zapotec, Purépecha, Maya, Nahua, and Otomí. It gives a glimpse into the cultures and peoples Diego encountered in the county, bringing attention to and centering these often-overlooked communities. They enrich and contribute to Ventura County with their traditional knowledge, cultural work, dances, pride in their traditional clothing, delicious food, and strong values like 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 human story of people who move or migrate to new places, bring their traditions, and create home.

About the Artist: Diego Huerta
Diego Huerta is a 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, much like classical paintings by masters such as Caravaggio and Rembrandt.

This project marks Diego’s first time photographing Mexican Indigenous groups outside their native land. During his residency at the Museum of Ventura County in August 2024, he connected with local communities, resulting in the powerful photographs you see in this exhibition.

Dance Groups Participating in this Exhibition:
Danza de Los Quetzales de Gómez Oriente
Danza Flor Bonita
Las Chinas Oaxaqueñas—Las Isabeles
Los Chinelos de Morelos – Comparsa 805
Los Elegidos de Asís

Enfoque: Voces Indígenas Mexicanas del Condado de Ventura
Esta exhibición presenta más de 40 poderosos retratos fotográficos de representantes de comunidades Indígenas Mexicanas en el Condado de Ventura, tomados por el reconocido fotógrafo internacional Diego Huerta durante su residencia artística de un mes en el Museo del Condado de Ventura. Durante más de 18 años, Diego ha fotografiado a Pueblos Originarios en México. Esta es la primera vez que ha retratado a estos grupos fuera de México.

Los grupos principales presentados en esta exhibición son los Mixtecos, Zapotecos, Purépechas, Mayas, Nahuas y Otomíes. Ofrece un vistazo a las culturas y a las personas que Diego encontró en el condado, dando atención y visibilidad a estas comunidades a menudo pasadas por alto. Ellos enriquecen y contribuyen al Condado de Ventura con su conocimiento, trabajo cultural, danzas, orgullo en su indumentaria tradicional, deliciosa comida, y sólidos valores como el trabajo duro, la honestidad, la integridad, la comunidad y la ética del “tequio”: trabajar juntos para ayudarse mutuamente.

Aunque esta exhibición celebra a las comunidades Indígenas Mexicanas, también cuenta la historia humana de quienes se mudan o migran a nuevos lugares, llevan sus tradiciones y crean un hogar.

Sobre el Artista, Diego Huerta:
Diego Huerta es un fotógrafo documental y cinematógrafo originario de México, ahora radicado en Austin, Texas. Especializado en retratos, ha dedicado más de 18 años a documentar la vida de los pueblos Indígenas de México, creando un valioso archivo fotográfico. Sus impactantes imágenes elevan la dignidad y la fuerza de sus sujetos, al igual que las pinturas clásicas de maestros como Caravaggio y Rembrandt.

Este proyecto marca la primera vez que Diego fotografía a grupos Indígenas mexicanos fuera de su tierra natal. Durante su residencia en el Museo del Condado de Ventura en agosto de 2024, se conectó con las comunidades locales, dando como resultado las poderosas fotografías que se presentan en esta exhibición.

Grupos de Danza que Participan en esta Exhibición:
Danza de Los Quetzales de Gómez Oriente
Danza Flor Bonita
Las Chinas Oaxaqueñas—Las Isabeles
Los Chinelos de Morelos – Comparsa 805
Los Elegidos de Asís

Purchase the Enfoque 2025 Calendar here.

This exhibition is made possible in part by the Busch Family Foundation, Gabriella Navarro-Busch and Peter Busch, and Oxnard Performing Arts Center.

Our Mission and Vision

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.

Our Purpose

To promote interest in and understanding of the history of the Ventura County region; to collect and preserve archives, artifacts, art, and ephemera bearing on the history of the region; to document current regional events; and to create exhibits and programs that enlighten, educate, and engage the past, present, and future.

Our Partners

Major funding for the programs at the Museum of Ventura County is made possible by City of Camarillo, City of Fillmore, City of Moorpark, City of Ojai, City of Oxnard, City of Port Hueneme, City of Santa Paula, City of Simi Valley, City of Thousand Oaks, City of Ventura, and the County of Ventura.

Museum of Ventura County
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Directions

Thursday—Sunday
11am to 5pm

Phone: 805.653.0323

Research Library at the Museum
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Directions

Appointment Only
Wednesday—Friday • 11am to 5pm

For library assistance call
805-653-0323 ext 320
or email library@venturamuseum.org

Agriculture Museum
926 Railroad Avenue
Santa Paula, CA 93060
Directions

Thursday—Sunday
11am to 5pm

Phone: 805.525.3100

Albinger Archaeological Museum
113 E. Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Directions

Saturday
11am to 5pm

Phone: 805.658.4728

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