ART AFTER DARK | Costume Contest & Party

It’s back! Part party, part runway show, part epic costume contest, ART AFTER DARK returns October 24, 2026.

OMA’s signature after-hours event transforms the museum into a creative hive of wearable art, outrageous performances, spooky-good libations, and North County’s biggest costume competition. Use our exhibitions as inspiration and dress to impress the judges at this one-of-a-kind art party and fundraiser. Costumes strongly encouraged!

This is a 21+ event.

Click the button below to get your tickets today!

Artist Alliance Monthly Social: Hangar 76

Hangar 76

OMA Artist Alliance members and their guests are invited to gather each month for a lively social meetup hosted at rotating venues throughout San Diego and North County. These informal get-togethers offer a relaxed opportunity to connect with fellow artists, share ideas, and build community while exploring a range of hotspots across the region. Whether you’re catching up with familiar faces or meeting someone new, each gathering encourages conversation, collaboration, and camaraderie within the Artist Alliance network.
This is a no-host event, attendees are welcome to purchase their own food and beverages.

 

Music at the Museum with 333 Pacific featuring Johnny “V” Vernazza

Join us for Music at the Museum, an unforgettable night of art, flavor, and live performance! Your ticket includes food and drinks provided by 333 Pacific, the beloved coastal restaurant known for its elevated menu and signature cocktails.
 Headlining the evening is electrifying blues guitarist Johnny “V” Vernazza, whose powerhouse career includes touring and recording with icons like Chuck Berry, Greg Allman, George Thorogood, Charlie Daniels, and Elvin Bishop, and whose signature slide guitar helped define the Southern rock sound. 
Set within OMA’s inspiring galleries and creative atmosphere, this high-energy night of music, cuisine, and community is a celebration you won’t want to miss. 
Reserved Tables seat 4 people and include the cost of admission.
Adult and Member tickets can be purchased individually for standing room. 
This is a 21+ only event.
Ticket Prices:
Reserved Table: $400
Adult: $85
Member: $65

*SPECIAL EVENT* | OMA GALA 2026

Shine the light on art and community as we celebrate a momentous era at Oceanside Museum of Art

The Oceanside Museum of Art Gala returns July 18, 2026!

Cocktail Reception 5:30-7:00pm  |  Oceanside Museum of Art
Dinner and Dancing 7:30-10:00pm  |  Civic Center Plaza
Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are still available! Contact Karen Cook at karen@oma-online.org or 760-435-3727 for assistance. 

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
 

Summer Art Camp | Session 2

Get ready for a week of creativity, curiosity, and happy, paint-splattered hands. At Oceanside Museum of Art’s Summer Art Camp, kids get to spend their days making art, exploring ideas, and learning from our Gallery Educators in a welcoming Museum setting.
TWO UNIQUE WEEKS: SIGN UP FOR ONE OR BOTH!
LIMITED TO 25 SPOTS PER WEEK!
June 15–19, 2026 | 9:00am–3:00pm
June 22–26, 2026 | 9:00am–3:00pm
While both weeks visit the same exhibitions and explore similar big ideas, no two weeks are the same! Projects, subjects, and materials shift each week, so returning campers will enjoy fresh challenges. This allows returning campers to deepen their skills while creating entirely new artwork!

WHAT TO EXPECT
Campers will learn foundational art skills like drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, and mixed media while also building confidence, problem-solving skills, and creative independence. Activities include drawing, designing and building cardboard “automata" machines inspired by the Aaron Kramer: Sense of Wonder exhibition, creating custom-printed tote bags inspired by the Matrix Multiplied: Hybrid Approaches to Printmaking exhibition, plein air watercolor painting, beach sketching, and so much more!
Beyond art techniques, campers practice observation, creative thinking, collaboration, and expressing their ideas visually. OMA's galleries are our inspiration labs, and every project encourages experimentation and trying something new (there’s no “right way” here!)
Each day includes a walk to the Oceanside Public Library (OPL) where free lunch is provided by the Lunch at the Library program if needed, otherwise kids can bring their lunch from home. OPL is our favorite neighbor and a great place to reset before heading back to the studio.
WAYS TO SAVE
Active OMA Members save BIG with 20% OFF Summer Art Camp registration, just enter your member email when registering! Learn more about OMA membership here.
Registration Prices:
Non-Member: $400
Member: $320 (20% off)
Early Bird: $360 (10% off)

Summer Art Camp | Session 1

Get ready for a week of creativity, curiosity, and happy, paint-splattered hands. At Oceanside Museum of Art’s Summer Art Camp, kids get to spend their days making art, exploring ideas, and learning from our Gallery Educators in a welcoming Museum setting.
TWO UNIQUE WEEKS: SIGN UP FOR ONE OR BOTH!
LIMITED TO 25 SPOTS PER WEEK!
June 15–19, 2026 | 9:00am–3:00pm
June 22–26, 2026 | 9:00am–3:00pm
While both weeks visit the same exhibitions and explore similar big ideas, no two weeks are the same! Projects, subjects, and materials shift each week, so returning campers will enjoy fresh challenges. This allows returning campers to deepen their skills while creating entirely new artwork!

WHAT TO EXPECT
Campers will learn foundational art skills like drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpting, and mixed media while also building confidence, problem-solving skills, and creative independence. Activities include drawing, designing and building cardboard “automata" machines inspired by the Aaron Kramer: Sense of Wonder exhibition, creating custom-printed tote bags inspired by the Matrix Multiplied: Hybrid Approaches to Printmaking exhibition, plein air watercolor painting, beach sketching, and so much more!
Beyond art techniques, campers practice observation, creative thinking, collaboration, and expressing their ideas visually. OMA's galleries are our inspiration labs, and every project encourages experimentation and trying something new (there’s no “right way” here!)
Each day includes a walk to the Oceanside Public Library (OPL) where free lunch is provided by the Lunch at the Library program if needed, otherwise kids can bring their lunch from home. OPL is our favorite neighbor and a great place to reset before heading back to the studio.
WAYS TO SAVE
Active OMA Members save BIG with 20% OFF Summer Art Camp registration, just enter your member email when registering! Learn more about OMA membership here.
Registration Prices:
Non-Member: $400
Member: $320 (20% off)
Early Bird: $360 (10% off)

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.

Artist Alliance Journaling for Creatives | Writing Your Mission Statement

In this virtual workshop series, artists are invited to turn their journal into a studio companion and idea incubator. Through interactive Zoom sessions we’ll explore simple, repeatable practices artists can use to generate content, clarify ideas, and deepen connection to their work.
JUNE TOPIC: WRITING YOUR MISSION STATEMENT
In this interactive journaling workshop, you’ll:
– Explore your core values and creative motivations
-Use guided journaling prompts to uncover your personal “Why”
-Shape words that inspire your art, fuel your career, and connect you with audiences
You will receive a Zoom link in the emailed RSVP confirmation receipt.
Ticket Prices:
Artist Alliance Member: Free

 

CANCELED: Plein Air Paint Out with OMA Artist Alliance: Buddy Todd Park

This event has been canceled. Be sure to join us in July for a Plein Air Paint Out at Guajome Lake.

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