Walking up to the Oceanside Museum of Art
Since OMA does not have a permanent collection, the changing exhibits are the heart of the program.
This instills the museum with an impressive freshness and brings in some of the most interesting contemporary work of the day. Occasionally the museum even collaborates with other institutions and allows for live streaming options.
A varied selection of artists and presenters have graced the two buildings of OMA in recent years.
A few of my past favorites worth mentioning were 2023-24 Artist Alliance Biennial, a showcase of 75 pieces of artwork by 62 of the museum’s Artist Alliance members; Dress Rehearsal, which showcased a selection of dress designs incorporating sculpture, collage, painting and photography, as well as creative materials such as gummy bears and beach trash; and Tiny Canvases: The Art of Nails, which revealed the possibilities of creating beauty through color and design on a tiny canvas: the human nail.
While those exhibits have been retired, let’s look at the current and upcoming exhibits at the museum!
Allied Craftsmen of San Diego: Hands On Design
- March 30 to August 18, 2024
Presenting work that exemplifies the diverse materials, expertise and strength of creativity of the Allied Craftsmen of San Diego, the oldest professional organization of craft artists in Southern California, this exhibition pays homage to the rich craft traditions that flourish in San Diego.
Coastal Exposures, 10 Years of Photography at The Osider Magazine
Curated by Zach Cordner, co-founder and professional photographer at The Osider Magazine, this exhibition showcases the finest and truly unique images of the city of Oceanside.
More than your typical sunset photo at the pier, these images are intended to evoke the emotion of an ever-changing city.
Ving Simpson: Inside Out, Art from the Oceanside Studio, 1994-2023
- February 17 to May 12, 2024
Seeking to recreate the shelves that lined the studio of artist Ving Simpson, this exhibition displays an array of small, emblematic sculptures and select paintings illustrating the artist’s exploration into his perceptions of reality.
More Disruption: Representational Art in Flux
- June 8 to September 15, 2024
Inspired by John Seed’s book, More Disruption: Representation Art in Flux, this exhibition is intended to showcase representational painting that has been reshaped and “disrupted,” exploring abstraction, web-based imagery, and socio-political concerns in response to contemporary life and its challenges.
Undocumented Times / Queer Yearnings
- May 25 to October 6, 2024
Featuring artwork by César Miguel Rivera Magallón and Alexa Vasquez, this exhibition will highlight the experiences of undocumented queer immigrants that migrated to the U.S. as children and came of age in the country.
Transformative Currents: Art and Action in the Pacific Ocean
- August 17, 2024, to January 19, 2025
Transformative Currents examines the historical causes and ongoing effects of the cultural and environmental devastation of the Pacific Ocean, intending to unite art, science, and Indigenous knowledge systems to raise awareness and improve coastal conditions.