Programs: Classes

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.

 

 

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!

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

The Museum and park is open and there should be plenty of parking in the main lot on Peyri Dr. as well as access to restrooms.

Open to All Levels!

Whether you're a seasoned plein air painter or just starting your artistic journey, this event is for you! Beginners and experienced painters can find fresh inspiration in the urban and natural landscape.

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!

This is a non-instructional event. Paint to your heart's content and enjoy the dynamic surroundings.

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/

 

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.

“Experimental Multi-Media Materials”

Bring in found or discarded objects and give them an artistic life with stencils, modeling paste, paint, flora, or fabrics added to them. Many unique materials will be provided to create an eclectic art object.

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

Paint the cute umbrellas and Victorian architecture, guests enjoying their pie, the steers views, or the nearby pier views. Free parking at the lot at the corner of Seagaze and S Cleveland drives or metered street parking. Public restrooms available nearby at the pier.

Open to All Levels!

Whether you're a seasoned plein air painter or just starting your artistic journey, this event is for you! Beginners and experienced painters can find fresh inspiration in the urban and natural landscape.

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!

This is a non-instructional event. Paint to your heart's content and enjoy the dynamic surroundings.

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.

Image and Text

Bring in a line from a poem or lyrics from a song and respond to it or create an emotion with colors, shapes, lines, and textures.

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 2025/26 Artist Alliance Biennial

Francisco Eme: The Resistance of Echo & La Eco-Resistencia

A Fitting Pair: Irving J. Gill and Oceanside Architecture 1929–1936

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.

 

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.

“Figure Drawing and Painting"

Life drawing can be successful with so many styles and techniques. Real, abstract, and/or ideal figures can create emotional responses with the addition of color. Create several figure studies before painting a final piece of art.

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.

Expressive Floral Paintings

Plant, play, and paint flowers, succulents, leaves, gardens, ponds and forests. Actual plant life may be incorporated into the paint. Create your own colorful tactile landscape.

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

Paint the street view with this iconic theater. Hopefully the lights will come on during the end of our time. Parking and restrooms at the nearby Civic Center.

Open to All Levels!

Whether you're a seasoned plein air painter or just starting your artistic journey, this event is for you! Beginners and experienced painters can find fresh inspiration in the urban and natural landscape.

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!

This is a non-instructional event. Paint to your heart's content and enjoy the dynamic surroundings.

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/