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.

Sunprint Banners

This in-house project on July 6 invites participants to create magical, sun-powered prints using natural objects and light! Soak up the summer sun and combine science and art to watch your designs develop in real time using special sun-sensitive cyanotype paper.

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 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.

“Expansive Paintings”

Using huge painting tools including brooms, mops, sponges and scrapers loose and dynamic large-format paintings will be created on the floor and table tops. Multi-layered colors will be used to create a soak-and-stain effect on loose canvases.

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!

Hosted by: Lorraine Cote

Open to All Levels!

How to Participate:

1. Register for the event on the San Diego Plein Air Painters Meetup Group site: https://www.meetup.com/painter-86/
2. Bring your painting supplies, easel, and canvases. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat for the California sun!

Become an Artist Alliance Member:

Join and learn more about Artist Alliance and the activities at Oceanside Museum of Art at: https://oma-online.org/membership/

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

Watercolor Techniques

Combining many styles and techniques of watercolor painting on quality paper will lead to your own fluid imagery. Many images and demonstrations will be used to inspire these paintings.

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!

Join us at OMA on August 1 for Street Level x Art Walk!

Discover musicians, artists, and craftspeople from across your street to all across Southern California. 

This month we are featuring Lea Love, a singer-songwriter whose songs range from R&B/soul to island reggae to pop and draw from her rich Hawaiian, Samoan and Japanese heritage.

We will also have a curators tour of Stories that connect us: Selections from the OMA Collection with Danielle Deery at 6pm and local artists and craftspeople selling their work on our terrace and in the OMA store. 

Bring your family, meet new friends, or roll in with your crew to create your O’riginal experience with artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs at OMA’s biggest social events of the summer.

Street Level is open to all ages and admission is FREE for all guests in partnership with Oceanside Art Walk.

Drink tickets are an additional fee. Adults 21+ who would like to purchase alcoholic beverages must show ID. 

Reserved Tables are available for sale to accommodate our music lovers. CLICK HERE to reserve yours now!

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.

Surfboard Stories

Inspired by Oceanside’s surf culture, join us on August 3 to decorate mini surfboard cutouts with paint, stencils, and personal symbols. Ride the creative wave with us!

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 us on First Free Sunday for the closing celebration of The Art of Autism: A Different Lens.

The program will start with an inspiring conversation and Q&A between exhibition curator Debra Muzikar and neurodiversity consultant Alexander Plank, offering insights into the creative processes and perspectives behind the exhibition. Then, guests are invited to meet the artists, explore the gallery at their own pace, and dive deeper into the bold, expressive works.

Celebrate neurodiverse creativity through connection, insight, and discovery.

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.

‘’21st Century Impressionist Paintings”

After 150 years of Impressionism, artists today still use the “fleeting moment” of sensation to create spectacular painting results. We will use a broad spectrum of techniques to achieve these optic phenomena.

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!

Hosted by: Lorraine Cote

Open to All Levels!

How to Participate:

1. Register for the event on the San Diego Plein Air Painters Meetup Group site: https://www.meetup.com/painter-86/
2. Bring your painting supplies, easel, and canvases. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat for the California sun!

Become an Artist Alliance Member:

Join and learn more about Artist Alliance and the activities at Oceanside Museum of Art at: https://oma-online.org/membership/

Artist Alliance members, along with their guests, are welcome to engage in a group art share and critique, aimed at fostering professional growth. Not yet part of the alliance? No worries, you can join either before the event or on-site!

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

Abstract Painting

Immerse yourself in loose and lively, gestural, and large expressive paintings to create a mood, dream, or emotion.

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!

Join us for an evening of art and drinks as we celebrate the opening of our newest exhibitions:

The Space Between: Texture Studies by Denja Harris

Fabulous Fiber

Surf Art: Exploring Southern California's Coastal Culture

Discover and connect with fellow artists, dedicated curators, and a vibrant community as you explore the art and stories of Southern California artists in three new exhibitions at OMA.

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 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.

“The Flash and Sparkle of Mickalene Thomas”

Sequins, buttons, beads, collages, and stencils are the trademark of 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!

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.  

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.

“Printmaking on Hand-Made Paper"

Create a variety of “papers” using multiple natural materials. The second step will be to print on the newly created paper, wet or dry, to create dream like images with atmospheric qualities. A possible poem or saying may enhance the finished product.

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.

Live Model Drawing and Painting

A quick study of the proportions and gestures of the human form using several techniques will lead to a very creative art adventure.

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!

Hosted by: Lorraine Cote

Open to All Levels!

How to Participate:

1. Register for the event on the San Diego Plein Air Painters Meetup Group site: https://www.meetup.com/painter-86/
2. Bring your painting supplies, easel, and canvases. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat for the California sun!

Become an Artist Alliance Member:

Join and learn more about Artist Alliance and the activities at Oceanside Museum of Art at: https://oma-online.org/membership/