Community Open House
FIRST LOOK!
Join us at Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) for a Community Open House on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 12:00–4:00pm to learn all about the Museum’s planned expansion into historic Fire Station No. 1 and get a sneak peek into the extended space. Enjoy free admission and free art workshops inspired by our Matrix Multiplied exhibition and the architecture of Irving J. Gill.
12:00–2:00pm: Free Art for All Art Workshops
2:00–3:00pm: Presentation |
In Our Backyard: Architectural Vision, Then and Now
Join us for a conversation with experts in their field about Oceanside’s history in the late 1920’s, the presence of bold modernist architecture designed by Irving J. Gill, and OMA’s plans for conscientious preservation and innovative adaptive reuse in sustaining a full city block of landmark Gill buildings.
This presentation strives to build awareness and pride in Oceanside’s cultural identity and legacy. It is an opportunity to learn about Gill’s significance within historical context and to embrace the Museum’s enduring commitment to vibrant community engagement.
Panelists include:
Ricardo Rabines, Safdie Rabines Architects
Kristi Hawthorne, Director of the Oceanside Historical Society
Heath Fox, Curator for the Irving J. Gill Foundation
The panel presentation is offered free of charge from 2:00 to 3:00 pm in the Groves Gallery. All are welcome.
3:00–4:00pm: Light Refreshments Provided

SPECIAL EVENT | Swell Plates Dinner at Merenda
Join environmental anthropologist and Merenda co-owner Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr for an evening inspired by the Francisco Eme: Future Rituals & La eco-resistencia exhibition.
Drawing from Eme’s work and her own research, Dr. Crossland-Marr introduces environmental anthropology, a field that explores how humans understand and live within ecological systems.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 6–7PM
Merenda Wine Bar
3375 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058
$45 per person
An extension of Visit Oceanside’s Swell Plate Series.
