
WELCOME TO OCEANSIDE PLEIN AIR 2023
Painting Southern California in the Open Air
We're excited to welcome artists of all skill levels to participate in OMA's second biennial Oceanside Plein Air Festival. This is an opportunity to celebrate creativity and the natural environment. The Festival is not only about the artists who join in the creative process, it is also for our friends, neighbors, visitors, and art lovers of all ages that have connections to our beautiful city. Everyone is invited to share curiosity, wonder, and joy as they watch scenes of the ocean and beaches, landscapes, and cityscapes of Oceanside come to life on canvas and paper by artists of all levels. It is a time for people to find connection and empathy–all at the intersection of art and everyday life.
Oceanside Plein Air Festival 2023 Schedule
Saturday
July 15
8:00am
Festival Kickoff and Check In Opens
8:00am-5:00pm
Check In at OMA
6:30-8:00pm
Paint Out Event at Robert's Cottages, followed by easel sale on location
Sunday
July 16
8:00am-5:00pm
Check In at OMA
9:00am-12:30pm
Workshops
5:00-6:00pm
Hosted artists networking hour
6:00-8:00pm
Easel Sale at OMA
Monday
July 17
8:00am-5:00pm
Check In at OMA
9:00am-12:30pm
Workshops
6:00pm
Artists networking event at KNVS, (no host). Paint your own wine bottle label.
Tuesday
July 18
8:00am-5:00pm
Check In at OMA
10:00am-12:00pm
Quick Paint Challenge at Mission San Luis Rey
TIME TBD
Artist Networking Event at Seabird Hotel
Wednesday
July 19
8:00am-5:00pm
Check In at OMA
9:00am-12:30pm
Workshops
6:30-8:00pm
Paint Out Event at the Pier, followed by easel sale on location
Thursday
July 20
8:00am-5:00pm
Check In at OMA
9:00am-12:30pm
Workshops
6:30-8:00pm
Paint Out Event at Sunset Market and at OMA with Member's Only Car Club, followed by easel sale on site at OMA
Friday
July 21
8:00-11:00am
Art Submissions for Jurying Due
12:00-4:00pm
Jurying
TIME TBD
Social Event: Green Clean-Up
5:00-7:00pm
Artists pick up their work
Saturday
July 22
11:00am-5:00pm
Exhibition opens; BIG Easel Sale at OMA
11:00am-12:00pm
VIP Exhibition Pre-Sale
12:00-2:00pm
Awards Ceremony
REGISTRATION
STUDENT
** A valid student ID must be presented upon arrival at OMA for festival check-in.
FREE
ARTIST ALLIANCE
Oma-members! Learn more about OMA Artist Alliance
$95
GENERAL
General Public/Oma- Non members.
$115
Festival Friend
Get all access to the Festival and support OMA!
$250
Festival Patron
Get all access to the Festival and fuel OMA to the next level!
$500
Includes
- Entry of up to two (2) artworks into the awards competition and exhibition jurying
- Artwork selected for the exhibition will be offered for sale through the run of the exhibition, closing January 2024.
- Eligibility for awards (not including Best In Show)
- Participation in all communal “Paint Out” events, followed by on-location sales
- Participation in two easel sales and two networking events
- Participation in the Quick Paint Challenge
- Entry of one (1) artwork into the Quick Paint Challenge Sale
- Access to ticketed festival workshops led by the Festival Featured Artists
- One ticket to the Closing Event/Awards Ceremony on July 22
Festival Friend and Festival Patron also Includes
- Logo displayed on electronic visual displays
- Sponsor logo displayed in Welcome Booklet
Interested in signing up at this level? Contact: Georgia Ringler, Development Associate at Georgia@oma-online.org or 858-212-1706.
Need Help? Email: Citli Mejía, Manager of Visitor Services and Community Engagement for Support at Citli@oma-online.org or call 760-435=3721.
SELECT ARTISTS
Benefits of being a Select Artist:
- Only 10 artists will be selected
- Guaranteed inclusion in the juried exhibition
- Entry of three (3) artworks for exhibition jurying consideration
- Eligible for Best In Show award - only compete against other Select Artists and the festivals four Featured Artists (all participating festival artists are eligible for further awards)
- Name included in promotions
- Waived Festival registration fees ($115 standard, $95 OMA Artist Alliance members)
- Full access to the festival - participation in all communal “Paint Out” events and the Quick Paint
Challenge; entry of one artwork into the Quick Paint Challenge Sale; participation in two Easel
Sales and two networking events; one ticket to the Closing Event/Awards Ceremony on July 22;
access to ticketed festival workshops led by the Festival Featured Artists
SPONSORSHIP
Join us as a sponsor and celebrate the environment, art, and culture of Southern California. Have any questions on being a sponsor? Contact: Georgia Ringler, Development Associate at Georgia@oma-online.org or 858-212-1706.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

In-Kind/Media
Includes
-
Logo displayed on all event banners
-
Logo displayed on electronic visual displays
-
Sponsor logo displayed in Welcome Booklet
-
Logo and/or social media tags* for all social media posts
-
Logo in all e-blasts
-
Preferred vendors list
-
Collateral in welcome swag bag
Contact Us
Gold
Includes
-
Logo displayed on all event banners
-
Logo displayed on electronic visual displays
-
Sponsor logo displayed in Welcome Booklet
-
Logo and/or social media tags* for all social media posts
-
Sponsor logo on event landing page with link
-
Logo in all e-blasts
-
Preferred vendors list
$1000
Interested in a higher level sponsorship? Contact info: Georgia Ringler, Development Associate at Georgia@oma-online.org or 858-212-1706.
PARTNERING TO GO GREEN

BECOME A GREEN SPONSOR
& A PARTNER IN SAFEGUARDING THE ENVIRONMENT
More details to come! See our sponsorship prospectus to know what's included at the Green sponsorship level and more.
Make a mark on your community by joining forces with OMA to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and bring awareness to your environmental message and visibility for your organization's mission.
FEATURED ARTISTS
Featured Artists have been invited to headline the festival and will be leading workshops throughout the week. Further details about workshop dates, locations, and how to register will be available soon.
Geoffrey Allen
Website: geoffallenart.com | IG: @geoffallenart

Gabriel Stockton
Website: gabrielstocktonfineart.com | IG: @gabriel_stockton_fine_art

All About Oceanside Plein Air 2023
Beginning the week-long celebration of outdoor painting as a participating artist, make your first stop at OMA for canvas stamping and to pick up your Welcome Swag Bag, including a full festival itinerary, tips for how to explore Oceanside, and information showcasing local businesses.
All participating artists must check-in and have the surfaces on which they would like to create artwork stamped prior to beginning their artwork in order to participate. Get here early so you have more time to paint!
- You only need to check in once - Artist badges and all information about the event and our supporters will be provided at check in
- You may get all surfaces you will need for the festival stamped at one time, or you may return to the stamping station multiple times.
- There is no limit to the number of surfaces you may have stamped.
- Artists will be asked to sign a waiver accepting the rules and guidelines upon check-in
- Saturday, July 15, 8:00am-5:00pm at OMA
- Sunday, July 16, 8:00am-5:00pm at OMA
- Monday, July 17, 8:00am-12:00pm at OMA
- Tuesday, July 18, 8:00am-12:00pm at OMA
- Wednesday, July 19, 8:00am-5:00pm at OMA
- Thursday, July 20, 8:00am-5:00pm at OMA
Festival Rules and Guidelines
- Artists may only choose two (2) works to submit for awards and jurying
- Artists may sign the front or the back of their artwork
- Artists MUST PRINT their name on the back of their artwork, whether they sign or not
- Artists must wear identifying badges while painting and to any scheduled event. Badges will be provided in your Welcome Swag Bag
- Artists receive a 50% commission on the sale of their work.
- Artists should bring their own art supplies and surfaces on which to create artwork. There are limited locations to purchase supplies near Oceanside.
- Festival stamp MUST BE VISIBLE on the back of the artwork
- If the stamp will be obscured after framing, please provide photos or video of the work with the stamp visible being framed
- Artwork submitted for exhibition jurying must include hanging hardware (wires or D rings attached to frames or a sturdy substrate). Unframed canvases must be trimmed or be wrapped with finished edges.
- To participate in easel sales, artists must provide their own easels
- Maximum 2D size: 24" x 36" not including frame, Maximum 3D size: 24" x 24" x 24"
- Tax of 8.25% will apply to all sales at check out, to be paid by the buyer
- There is no limit to the number of surfaces that may be stamped
- At least 80% of the artwork must be completed out of doors. 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
Keep In Mind
- A specific time-window for submitting artwork for jurying and judging will be assigned on each artist’s name badge
- Artists are encouraged to create small works (under 10" on each side), which are often collector favorites
- Artwork does not need to be marked for sale, NFS is allowed
- Artwork in any media is allowed—non-traditional is encouraged! Contact Abigail Goodman, abigail@oma-online.org, to discuss your non-traditional submissions (media other than painting, drawing, or sculpture)
- Artwork may be in any style (Impressionism, Realism, Abstract, etc.)
- 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.
- There is no defined painting area. However, we request that at least one artwork must be painted in Oceanside
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
- Report any serious incidents to an OMA team member
- First aid kits will be available at the museum and with the check in table at all scheduled painting events
- 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
- A chair
- A hat
- Art supplies and surfaces to create artwork on (such as canvas or paper)
- Sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing
In addition to having the opportunity for all-day independent free painting throughout the festival, there are a number of scheduled painting events that will allow participants to explore a variety of styles and techniques that draw from the rich traditions of plein air painting. Registered artists must present their Festival Badge to participate in any non-ticketed programs. Paint Outs are uninstructed, non-judged communal painting events included with registration and taking place at iconic Oceanside locations throughout the weeks. Eight ticketed workshops will be led throughout the week by the Festival's Featured Artists. Tickets and further details to be announced soon!
Artists must bring all supplies necessary to participate in workshops and paint outs.
Further details to be announced soon! Check back for Workshop and Paint Out locations, registration links, and names of the Featured Artists who will lead the workshops.
The Quick Paint Challenge will take place on Tuesday, July 18, 10:00-12:00pm at Mission San Luis Rey, 4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92057
Participating artists are invited for a fun, high-energy event bringing together both artists and spectators for a two-hour burst of creativity highlighting one of Oceanside’s most iconic outdoor locations with the task of completing a painting in a single sitting. Artists are challenged to grab a brush, set up an easel, and paint en plein air for all to see.
Any artist registered for the festival was welcome to participate in this event. The public is invited to observe.
Quick Paint Sale: Artwork created during the Quick Paint Challenge on July 18 may be taken to the museum for inclusion in a lobby sale through Saturday, July 22, 2023
All artwork produced during the festival may be sold throughout the week of the festival. Artists receive a 50% commission on the sale of their work. Sales tax of 8.25% will apply to all sales at check out (to be paid by the buyer).
- Plein Air Juried Exhibition, July 22, 2023-January 2024: Artwork selected for the exhibition will be available for sale to the public.
- Easel Sales: The evening of Sunday, July 16 and afternoon of Saturday, July 22, all artists are invited to set their easels up at OMA with as many Festival artworks as they can accommodate for visitors to admire and purchase. Sales will be processed through OMA staff.
- Quick Paint Sale: Artwork created during the Quick Paint Challenge on July 18 may be taken to the museum for inclusion in a lobby sale through Saturday, July 22, 2023
- Painting Events: A staff member with a mobile payment device will be present to process sales “off the easel” at all scheduled painting events.
- Artists may sell any work they create “off the easel" during independent free painting. Purchase Receipts will be provided for all artists to fill out and send with the buyer to Oceanside Museum of Art to process sales.
If artwork for sale on OMA premises does not sell, it must be retrieved 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. Any artwork remaining at OMA more than 60 days after the close of the art sale it was a part of will be considered an unrestricted donation to the museum.
- $3,000 Best in Show
- $1,500 Second Place
- $500 Third Place
Celebrate the culmination of OMA's 2nd bi-annual Oceanside Plein Air Festival and the opening of an exhibition of artwork by participating artists with an awards presentation, easel sale, and highlights from the week.
Additionally, artwork created throughout the week will be available for sale in an easel sale, where all artists are invited to set their easels up at OMA with as many Festival artworks as they can accommodate for visitors to admire and purchase. This will also be a rare opportunity to view and collect artworks from prominent plein air painters.
This is a rare opportunity to view and collect artworks from prominent plein air painters at pricing that is approachable for collectors at any level.
Each festival participant is invited to complete multiple artworks en plein air during the course of the week, but ultimately, they are only able to choose up to two artworks to be considered for the awards competition and exhibition jurying. Approximately 50 artworks will be juried into what is sure to be a stunning showcase of original plein air works of art representing Southern California's natural beauty and urban environments in a variety of media, all created over the course of one exciting week.
View OMA's 2021 Plein Air Festival Exhibition for a hint at what's in store!
Jurors to be announced.
Want to be a Sponsor?
Download this packet to see which option suits you best!
Do I need to be a professional painter to register? Do I need to have painted in the Plein Air style before? Is there an age restriction?
All artists at any level are welcome.
What level of student can apply?
High school or college students may participate at the student lebel. When student artists check in for the festival at OMA, they must show a valid photo ID for the spring, summer, or fall 2023 terms to qualify for free registration.
Can I get the surface on which I will create art stamped before the festival starts?
No. Stamping begins at 8:00am on July 15, 2023.
Can I get more surfaces on which I will create art stamped after I’ve checked in?
There is no limit to the number of surfaces you may have stamped. You may get all surfaces you will need for the festival stamped at one time, or you may return to the stamping station multiple times, July 24–29, 11:00am-5:00pm.
Are there limitations on where I may paint?
There is no defined painting area. However, at least one artwork must be painted in Oceanside. (View a map of suggested painting locations here.)
I don’t want to participate as an artist in the festival, but I’d like to see artists painting. Do I have to pay?
It is free to observe! Anyone is encouraged to visit Oceanside, hang out where there are scheduled events, and learn about Plein Air painting. Non-artists can also attend easel sales at OMA on Sunday July 16, 6:00-8:00pm and Saturday July 22, 11:00-5:00pm (both free) and purchase tickets to the Awards Ceremony on July 22 (details to be announced).
Can I participate in the Quick Paint Challenge or painting events even if I am not registered for the festival?
No, only registered festival participants can take part in Paint Outs, Workshops, and the Quick Paint Challenge. Registered artists must present their Festival Badge to participate in programs. However, everyone is invited to watch, chat with an artist (if they are open to it), and fall in love with a painting – there will be plenty of opportunities to purchase work throughout the week!
May I sign my artwork?
Yes, you may sign your artwork on the front or back.
What kind of gear and clothing should I bring?
Artists will be painting outdoors, possibly in natural or wild areas. Consider sturdy, protective shoes and casual, comfortable clothing. Make sure you are protected from the sun with long sleeves, sunscreen, a hat, or a portable umbrella. Bring all your art making supplies, including your easel or drawing board. Insect repellent and cash for parking meters is recommended. Drinking water is essential!
If my artwork is chosen for the exhibition, does it need to stay in the exhibition if it sells?
Yes, all artwork chosen for the exhibition must remain at the museum until the exhibition closes in January, 2024.
How do I get my artwork back at the end of the exhibition?
Artwork selected for the exhibition may be picked up from OMA after the close of the exhibition. Further details for artwork return will be shared with exhibiting artists when selections are announced.
If artwork sells from the exhibition, the buyer will be responsible for arranging transportation.
Are there any hotels close to the museum?
There are a number of stunning hotels within walking distance of the museum. Connect with our partner’s at Visit Oceanside: Click here to view current lodging deals, see insider tips, and learn about all things Oceanside.
What if I have a question that is not answered here?
Click here to email Katie Dolgov with any further questions.
By registering, artists acknowledge and authorize the use of photos taken throughout the event, which may include artists and their artwork, for promotional use online and in printed materials for future events.
Artists acknowledge and agree that Oceanside Museum of Art will retain 50% of the sale price of individual art sales generated during the event.
JOIN ARTIST ALLIANCE GROUP LEVEL AND SAVE
Be part of a community of artists. Artist Alliance provides opportunities for interaction, visibility, and growth for artists in the region. Group-level members get to participate in Quarterly Critiques, submit work to offsite exhibitions, and our popular Artist Alliance Biennial, an exhibition at OMA celebrating the best work of Artist Alliance members where one selected artist is awarded a solo exhibition.
View 2022 Artist Alliance Biennial solo exhibition winner Lani Emanuel and her exhibition Lani Emanuel: Beside Herself.
Become an Artist Alliance Member!
DISCOVER OCEANSIDE
Ready to book your trip? There are a number of stunning hotels within walking distance of the museum. Our partners at Visit Oceanside can help you out with current lodging deals, insider tips, and all things Oceanside.