2025 Oceanside Plein Air Festival

Painting Southern California in the Open Air September 6 - 13, 2025

Come together to celebrate creativity and the natural environment with artists of various skills to take over our beautiful city with plein air painting. There will be Artist Workshops, Artist Networking Events, Easel Sales, Quick Paint Challenges, and Awards during the Festival. Artwork created during the Festival will also be up for selection for our Plein Air Exhibition that will run through November 2025 at OMA.

FREE | Relax over a steaming cup of coffee while engaging in lively conversations with local fellow artists and explore the captivating exhibitions at OMA for free. OMA's Artist Alliance extends a warm invitation to sculptors, painters, photographers, and artists of all backgrounds to join in the experience.  

FREE | Each month OMA welcomes friends and neighbors on Free First Sundays from 12-2pm to join in Art For All, our fun hands-on art-making experience led by artists and cultural partners from our community.

Plein Air Painting Party

On September 7, celebrate the outdoors with a plein air painting experience. Grab a brush, pick your view, and express the beauty of Oceanside’s surroundings through color and creativity in the open air.

Whether you’re new to art or have your own creative flow, Art For All is the time to let your imagination soar. Visit our current exhibitions to spark your creativity! Explore different art-making materials through creative projects at each session while learning from local and regional artists. Check back each month to see what we’re up to next!

These informal drop-in workshops are open to all ages. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided free of charge, while supplies last.

Join Artist Alliance from home or wherever you are with refreshments of your choice, and enjoy some conversation with fellow artists! Sculptors, painters, photographers, and artists of all disciplines are welcome. Take part in this conversation via a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Content Advisory: This is a supportive peer group for artists of all experience levels, engaging with a broad range of subject matter, including but not limited to: artificial intelligence, anime, landscapes, various forms of sculpture, photography, portraiture, figurative work, LGBTQ themes, sexuality, politics, and war. Because the artwork and discussions may include mature or sensitive content, participants under the age of 18 must either be accompanied by a parent or guardian or have explicit guardian permission to attend. If any participant—adult or underage—prefers to avoid potentially triggering content, we are happy to accommodate by scheduling their presentation earlier in the session to allow for a timely and respectful departure.

Join us for Studio Arts, when OMA transforms into an artist’s studio, offering skill-building workshops led by distinguished professor and arts educator Robin Douglas.

“Flash and Sparkle in Portrait Collage"

Sequins, buttons, beads, collages, and stencils are the trademark of portrait collage artists like Mickalene Thomas. We will glue certain small objects in some areas of the painting to emphasize the passion for sparkle in our lives. These joyful creations will speak to the heart.

A break for lunch and a relaxed discussion will occur at midday. Please bring your own bagged lunch or feel free to visit one of the restaurants close by on our provided list.

Space is limited. Register today!

Kick off your weekend with a bite-sized happy hour version of our renowned Studio Arts workshops.

Art and Music

Inspired by music, start hearing colors and shapes. Painting to music will bring out your lyrical composition. Many techniques and tools will be available for added expression.

All levels of experience are encouraged to participate. OMA provides food, drinks, and supplies; all you have to do is get yourself out of work, grab your friends, and have fun!