SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Mark you calendar! Here's the 2025 Oceanside Plein Air Festival schedule. Just tap the button below.
FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS
Are you a registered artist participating in the 2025 Oceanside Plein Air Festival? Tap the button below to sign up for programs and workshops running throughout the week!
CHECK-IN AND CANVAS STAMPING
Special Festival Check-In Hours at OMA
September 6-11, 8:00am–11:00am
Your first stop, festival participants! Come to OMA during special morning check-in hours to pick up your badge and Welcome Bag, get canvases stamped, get information about local attractions, or use the facilities on the way to a painting location.
OMA is open to the public during our usual hours: 11:00am-5:00pm, Wednesday through Sunday
Keep in mind:
- You only need to check in at OMA for the Festival once.
- You must check in for the Festival and have the surfaces on which you would like to create artwork stamped prior to beginning your artwork.
- You may get all surfaces stamped at one time, or return to a stamping station multiple times, with no limits to the number of surfaces you may have stamped.
- You may also get blank painting surfaces stamped at any Festival workshop or paint out
- Artists will be asked to sign a waiver accepting the rules and guidelines upon check-in
ARTWORK PARAMETERS & SUPPLIES
- Bring your own art supplies and surfaces on which to create artwork. There are limited locations to purchase supplies near Oceanside.
- Maximum 2D size: 24" x 36" not including frame
- Maximum 3D size: 24" x 24" x 24".
- We encourage participants to create small works (under 10" on each side), which are often collector favorites.
- Printed names must be on the back of the artwork, whether you've signed or not.
- Artists must bring their own easels/display furniture when participating in Easel Sales.
- Artwork may be in any style (Impressionism, Realism, Abstract, etc.)
- Artwork in any media is allowed—non-traditional is encouraged! Contact Katie Dolgov, katie@oma-online.org, to discuss your non-traditional submissions (media other than painting or drawing).
- We request that at least one artwork must be painted in Oceanside.
- We use the honor code to ensure artists complete 90-100% of each artwork out of doors and on location. If there is any concern that a larger percentage of your artwork was completed in the studio, you will be asked to provide progression snapshots of your work being completed en plein air.
SALES
During the week of the Festival:
- Artists receive a 50% commission on the sale of their work.
- Tax of 8.25% will apply to all sales at check out, to be paid by the buyer.
- Artwork does not need to be marked for sale, NFS is allowed.
- All artwork produced during the Festival may be sold throughout the week if you choose.
- All sales are to take place at OMA or through an OMA staff member.
- If you choose to sell any artwork “off the easel” during independent free painting, we rely on the honor system. Please text or call Elizabeth Dale at 760-435-3730, she will process sales immediately.
- No sales of merchandise or street vending is allowed at any time or at any location.
- If artwork for sale/on display at OMA does not sell, it must be picked up by the artist at the end of the sales opportunity. If the artist is no longer in the area, they will be responsible for shipping fees.
- OMA will aim to disburse all artist commissions earned during the festival within 30 days of the end of the Festival (before October 15).
PLEIN AIR PAINTING HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS
Personal Safety
- Stay hydrated and have water with you at all times
- Wear a sunhat, use an umbrella, or set up in a shady place
- Wear sunscreen and insect repellent. Pack more with you, just in case.
- Report any serious incidents to an OMA team member
- First aid kits will be available at the museum and check-in tables at all scheduled painting event
Respect Your Environment
- Do not block trails, sidewalks, or other areas of foot/bike traffic
- Do not dump your paint, water, turps, or any other substance
- Everything you bring in must leave with you
Things You Might Need
- Parking funds/quarters: Parking in Oceanside with signage indicating a 2-hour limit is strictly enforced. There is unrestricted parking on the street in nearby neighborhoods and the structure on Civic Center and Ditmar.
- A chair
- Art supplies and surfaces to create artwork on (such as canvas or paper)
- Sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing
PROGRAMS & EVENTS FOR ARTISTS
For registered attendees of the Oceanside Plein Air Festival
From workshops, to paint outs, to closing events...
Participate in a variety of programs throughout the festival! Note that workshops include an additional fee, while paint outs and other events are free. CLICK HERE to view the complete schedule and sign up!
Keep in mind:
- “Paint Outs” refer to non-instructed group painting programs. These programs are exclusively for registered Festival artists.
- “Workshops” require the purchase of an additional ticket. These programs are exclusively for registered Festival artists.
- Arrive early to all scheduled Festival programs to find parking and walk to your meeting point
- Please check in at the OMA tent at all workshops and paint out events that you attend, and be prepared to present your Festival badge
On Friday, September 5, OMA is closing at 1:00pm for a venue rental. A staff member will be available to answer questions at OMA or over the phone at (760) 435-3721. If you’re in town on Thursday evening check out the night market just one block from the museum!
QUICK PAINT CHALLENGE & SALE
September 9, 10:00am-12:00pm
Mission San Luis Rey, 4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92057.
Join us for the Quick Paint Challenge, a timed open-air painting event open to all festival registrants!
- Check in begins at 9:00am
- Painting start and stop times will be indicated by an air horn blast
- All canvases must be stamped prior to creating artwork. Check canvas stamping hours.
- Come early to select your preferred painting spot. All areas are open to artists excluding inside the church and cemetery.
- The public will be invited to observe, but walk-on participation is prohibited.
- Maximum size: you are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to create artwork no taller than 12"
- Judging will take place at the OMA tent immediately after the painting concludes. If you would like to have your work considered for the Mission San Luis Rey Quick Paint Award please plan to stay after the event through the judging. The first-place award winning artwork from the Quick Paint is guarunteed inclusion in the exhibition if the artist choses to submit it.
- Quick Paint Sale: 1:00-3:00pm Artwork Delivery to OMA
- Artwork created during the event may be taken to the Museum for inclusion in the sale.
- An OMA staff member will be available to receive artwork 1:00-3:00pm on Tuesday, September 9.
- Artwork does NOT need to be framed unless you chose to submit it for Festival exhibition jurying
- You must pick up your artwork no later than Saturday September 13, following the awards ceremony.
BIG PLEIN AIR EASEL SALE
September 13, 10:00am-3:00pm
705 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA 92054; The parking lot across the street from OMA
- To participate in the Easel Sale artists must provide their own easels and other display racks that can be set up within a 4’ x 4’ display area
- At 9:00am artists can arrive at the sale tent to set up their easel/sales display.
- Easel locations are first-come-first-served.
- ALL ARTWORK SHOULD HAVE YOUR NAME ON IT. Artists are responsible for their own signage during easel sales. Please make sure every artwork has a price.
- OMA staff will be present to process sales.
- OMA volunteers and a paid security guard will be present to keep artwork safe.
- Artists may stay with their artwork or attend the concurrent VIP Exhibition Pre Sale and Plein Air Festival Awards Celebration.
