California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast

The design movement that shaped America’s booming post-war era as seen through a Southern California lens at the Museum of Ventura County.

Step back in time to a cooler and more sophisticated era of design at California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast at the Museum of Ventura County. This new exhibit explores the popular design movement in interior & graphic design, architecture, and urban development from 1945 to 1965. The exhibit will feature architectural photography, period interior furnishings, films, paintings and pottery.

“This exhibition examines an era in post-war Southern California when architecture, art, music and design merged to form a modern awareness based on living well,” says Anna Bermudez, Chief Curator. “Inspired by European immigrant artists and architects and up and coming American designers, the “cool” aesthetic flourished in the Los Angeles landscape and climate that extended into Ventura County and up through the Central Coast.” California Cool looks at Ventura County’s contribution to the era focusing on the landmark homes and buildings and the birth of the local company, Architectural Fiberglass in 1963, whose planters and benches graced many Ventura County shopping malls and commercial buildings. The Museum of Ventura County collaborated with guest curators Eric Huff, Jordan Downs and Steve Aldana for California Cool.

“The California Club at the Museum will be an exciting trip back to an era of Mid-century modernism,” says Eric Knight, the Development Director at the Museum of Ventura County. “We’re putting together an era-immersive experience with craft cocktails, live entertainment, 1950’s inspired cuisine, period costumed actors, and much more to kick of the Museum’s newest exhibit California Cool. All of this informs an extraordinary exhibit that reflects not only a unique era in architecture and design, but also brings home the relevance and importance of this era on the Central Coast.” Attendees are encouraged to dress in period-era attire.

California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast is on display September 21, 2019—February 23, 2020 at the Museum of Ventura County. California Cool is brought to you by Rabobank, TOLD Corporation and California Resources Corporation. The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 E Main St., Ventura, CA. For more information call (805) 653-0323.