Celebrate the start of summer with Michael Pearce’s The Secret Paintings, an exhibition comprising 35 works of art, the centerpiece of which is a new, monumental four-part work of oil on canvas themed for the summer solstice. Refreshing, beautiful and full of meaning, these images convey the mysteries of love, joy and life. Join us for the opening reception, 6–8 p.m., June 2, and enjoy an opportunity to meet the artist. Admission is free.

"We are thrilled to be the first-stop on a national tour for Michael's outstanding artwork," said Elena Brokaw, the Museum of Ventura County's interim CEO. "His work resonates on many levels and appeals to a broad audience. We are excited to make his artwork available to the community."

Pearce’s imaginative and theatrical paintings pay homage to cultural touchstones as diverse as Harry Potter, the Holy Bible and The Da Vinci Code. At the same time, they draw on esoteric symbols representative of alchemy while creating narratives that embrace the magic and romance of an earlier era. Pearce uses ancient Neolithic imagery and medieval tarot card settings rife with allegory, to depict grand adventures across his canvases.

An associate professor in the art department at California Lutheran University, Pearce earned a B.A. from Dartington College of Arts in Fallmouth, England, his Master of Fine Arts in scenic design from the University of Southern California and was awarded his Ph. D. by Plymouth University, Plymouth, England. Pearce is an influential leader in the representational art community. He co-founded The Representational Art Conference (also known as TRAC), an international conference which has brought many acclaimed artists to the Ventura County region.

The exhibit will be on display June 2 through August 6. This is its first stop in a national tour of several U.S. cities. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org.