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.  

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

DIY Wrapping Paper

Join us for December’s Art For All, the last one of the year before we take a short winter break (we’ll be back in February!). This month, we’ll be getting festive by creating our own custom wrapping paper using stamps. Bring your gifts if you’d like to wrap them on-site! We’ll have plenty of ribbon and supplies to make them extra special!

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.

Enjoy refreshments and experience a fast-paced and in-depth artwork critique of 10 juried artworks at this FREE event! Jurors Paul Ecdao, Co-owner/Curator of Thumbprint Gallery; LA-based Art Manager and Dealer Billy Gross; and Rokhsane Hovaida of California Center for the Arts, Escondido selected the works from submissions and will also run the in-person session.

Art lovers and artists curious about the process of a professional critique are encouraged to attend the session for free as observers. The critique will be followed by a moderated audience Q&A session. Audience members will learn just as much from the feedback given by the professional jurors as those who were selected for the critique. Featured artists: Silvana Barrios, Denise Brook, Neil Brooks, Theo DeHart, Elizabeth Gorcey, Elizabeth Janss, Steven Lombardi, Linda Morton, Denise Rudy, and Larry Vogel.

About Artist Alliance

OMA's Artist Alliance serves as an affiliated membership group accessible to OMA members at any tier for an extra annual fee of $20 per person. This alliance fosters interaction, visibility, and professional growth for artists within the region. OMA holds a number of events that either feature Artist Alliance members’ artwork (both on-and-off-site exhibitions), are exclusive to Artist Alliance members (i.e. Artist Alliance Biennial), or offer free or discounted admission. Learn more about Artist Alliance here.

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.

DECEMBER'S TOPIC: YOUR ”WHY” STATEMENT

Your “Why” Statement is the heartbeat of your artistic practice. A strong Why Statement helps artists clarify their purpose, communicate their vision to collectors, galleries, and institutions, and stay motivated through creative challenges. 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