Transformative Currents examines the historical causes and ongoing effects of the cultural and environmental devastation of the Pacific Ocean and harnesses art’s potential to enact positive ecological change, both planetary and local.
Covering nearly one-third of the earth’s surface, the Pacific Ocean is home to thousands of interconnected peoples, species, and ecosystems—all under threat from climate change, industrial pollution, and overfishing. Works in diverse media by 21 contemporary artists and collaborative teams are organized around the theme of ocean currents, which traverse the Pacific and suggest fluidity, interconnectivity, and collective responsibility. Each project addresses a specific issue affecting the coastal environment; together, they highlight the interdependency of resources and the impact of local actions on global problems.
At a time when the health of the Pacific Ocean is in a fragile and volatile state, Transformative Currents unites art, science, and Indigenous knowledge systems to raise awareness and improve coastal conditions. In addition to the Oceanside exhibition, there will be two satellite installations at the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) in Costa Mesa and the Crystal Cove Conservancy in Newport Beach.
Pictured: Paul Rosero Contreras, Dark Paradise 2 (Above); Isabel Beavers, The Luxuriant Garden (Below, top); Genevieve Robertson, Sea Lettuce (Below, bottom).
Events and Programs
Join us for exciting events and programs themed and celebrated around Transformative Currents exhibition.
Exhibition Celebration | October 5, 2024, 5:00–7:00pm
Join us for an evening of art and drinks as we celebrate the opening of our newest exhibitions. Members free, $15 Visitors. Registration link available soon.
Art for All | Sunday, September 1, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
OMA invites our community to a free, intergenerational art-making experience for all levels. Participants are encouraged to spark inspiration by visiting current exhibitions. Free.
Street Level | Friday, September 20, 2024, 6:00-9:00pm
Highlighting themes from current exhibitions at the museum, Street Level transforms OMA into a stage to discover performers from across Southern California. $15 Adults, children under 18 and museum members free. Registration link available soon.
Off the Wall: Transformative Currents | Thursday, October 10, 2024, 6:00-7:30pm
Off The Wall is a conversation series that brings together community leaders, artists, and curators to engage in discussions about current affairs affecting the creative health and well-being of our region. $15 Visitors, $10 Members, $5 Artist Alliance / Students. Registration link available soon.
Art for All | Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm (PST Regional Weekend)
OMA invites our community to a free, intergenerational art-making experience for all levels. Participants are encouraged to spark inspiration by visiting current exhibitions. Free.
PST:ART Regional Weekends, November 2-3 (South Bay/Orange County/North San Diego) and November 23-24 (San Diego)
PST:ART exhibitions throughout the defined regions will be activated by the artists and curators during the featured weekends.
ArtQuest, November, 2024 through January, 2025
ArtQuest enhances fifth-grade learning by integrating the arts into STEAM-focused experiences aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The program turns OMA galleries and museum visits into interactive learning laboratories, allowing students to use art for experimentation, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Welcoming up to 2,500 fifth-grade students from October 2024 to December 2024, this fall's program seeks to create cultural competency around climate change.