Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA)

Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA)
OMA occupies the venerable 1934 former City of Oceanside City Hall designed by pioneering San Diego architect Irving Gill and the Frederick Fisher designed Central Pavillion opened in 2008.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Last Chance to view Millard Sheets Exhibition - Closes January 4, 2009



Damngorgeous: Millard Sheets and his Southern California Legacy has been a popular exhibit at Oceanside Museum of Art since September. But, sadly all exhibitions have to come to an end and this one closes Sunday, January 4, 2009. The Los Angeles Times wrote a great review of the show that drew visitors all the way from Los Angeles.


Not only did Sheets play a major role in bringing the art of California to the national arena, he was a prominent teacher at Chouinard Art Institute, Scripps College, Claremont Graduate School and Otis Art Institute. He made a lasting impact with the expansive exhibition program he directed at the Los Angeles County Fair that introduced millions of Californians to the finest American, European, and Asian arts and crafts. Sheets’ artwork can be found in over 46 museums including the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others.


I hope you get the chance to see this world class exhibition before it closes.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Culinary Cinema Series featuring "Babette's Feast" & French Classic Cuisine Dec 6


OMA Culinary Cinema Series
December 6, 2008 5:30 PM

If you enjoy classic films, epicurean delights and fine art, then you should attend the Oceanside Museum of Art's Culinary Cinema Series on Saturday December 6th at 5:30 PM. Third in our Culinary Cinema Series that pairs food themed films with mouth-watering cuisine, "Babette's Feast" is presented in the beautiful modern setting of the museum. Academy Award winning director Gabriel Axel tells the story of two elderly Danish sisters whose pious life is humorously altered with the unexpected arrival of Babette Hersant, a 19th century Parisian political refugee who cooks them a French feast they will never forget.

Join us at the museum for this delightful film and delectable French cuisine prepared by master chef Carol Blomstrom. Dinner includes hors d'oeuvres of tiny toast with crème fraiche and caviar, artichoke mousse on sesame crackers, salad with haricot vert and red-onion, entrée of coq au vin over noodles, and white and dark chocolate mousse for dessert.

Reservations required in advance, limited to 100 guests. Cost is $60 for OMA members, $75 for non-members. Vegetarian entrees available upon request. Call the museum at 760-435-3721 for reservations. 5:30 PM pre-film reception, wine & hors d'oeuvres. 6:00 PM "Babette's Feast" screening, dinner following the film.

Monday, October 20, 2008

DAMNGORGEOUS:Millard Sheets and His Southern California Legacy

Image: Millard Sheets, Cotton Pickers, 1929, oil on canvas
The current exhibition DAMNGORGEOUS: Millard Sheets and His California Legacy at Oceanside Museum of Art is a world class exhibition of the celebrated California Regionalist Millard Sheets. There are over 40 diverse works of art in the show including oils, watercolors, lithographs, drawings and etchings that provide viewers a comprehensive look at his impressive career.

What makes this exhibit so unique is the personal connection viewers have to the artist through his daughter's narrative. Carolyn Sheet's Owen Towle provided her personal collection of her father's treasured works of art to the museum for this special exhibit. During a lecture and walk through of the exhibition Carolyn shared many heart warming stories about her father and his career as an artist.

The book Damngorgeous: A Daughter's Memoir of Millard Owen Sheets, written by Carolyn, was the catalyst for the show. In this book Carolyn wanted to tell her fathers story and the Oceanside Museum of Art worked hard to bring together an excellent collection of his work that would compliment her loving story. You will see styles from every period in Sheets' career from the 1920s to the 1980s, including his last painting of an island off the coast of Northern California and the painting he hung in the Paris Salon early in his career. You will travel through the many countries and styles that Sheets explored in this captivating exhibition that is on view through January 4, 2009.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Vibrant Edge: Paintings of Karl Benjamin

If you love color, then you must check out the new exhibition at Oceanside Museum of Art, The Vibrant Edge: Paintings of Karl Benjamin from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Karl Benjamin is one of the founding fathers of Hard Edge Painting, a style involving consistent geometric shapes and perfectly straight edges that awe you with perfection. California was the creative center for this style of art that emerged in the 60s as artists began reacting to the organic forms of abstract expressionism. Karl Benjamin is one of those living ledgends who currently resides within walking distance to Claremont College, where he taught for many years.

Don't miss the kaleidoscope of colors in The Vibrant Edge, on view at Oceanisde Museum of Art until October 19, 2008.

Monday, June 23, 2008

The Meaning of Tattoos

In contemporary pop-culture, tattoos bring to mind artistic expression, rebellious people branding themselves with imagery that makes them unique and individualistic. After viewing the enlightening exhibition Ancient Marks: The Sacred Origins of Tattoos and Body Marking at Oceanside Museum of Art in San Diego, CA, I have a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice and discipline people all around the world endure to have a permanent marker of their identity on their skin.


Chris Rainier, a National Geographic editor and documentary photographer has captured the rituals and cultural traditions behind the symbolic art of body altering in his stunning collection of over 30 black and white photographs. From the savannas of Africa to the streets of Los Angeles, Rainier brings to light how tattoos and body altering reflect sacred beliefs, form identity and tell stories of ancient cultures.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Jazz at the Oceanside Museum of Art June 19

Vigilucci’s Jazz at the Museum presents one of San Diego’s most popular jazz and blues bands on June 19th at Oceanside Museum of Art.
The evening will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a pre-concert reception featuring Vigilucci’s scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and signature wine.

Vigilucci’s has joined with the museum to present an evening of great jazz, great art, and great tastes. In addition, you’ll be able to view two exhibitions during the pre-concert reception and during intermission. Currently on view are Masterpieces of San Diego Painting: Fifty Works from Fifty Years, 1900-1950 and Ancient Marks: The Sacred Origins of Tattoos and Body Marking.

June 19 ~ 7:00 p.m. ~ $15, $10 for OMA members.
Admission at the door, open seating.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Ancient Marks: The Sacred Origins of Tattoos and Body Marking




The Oceanside Museum of Art presents an intriguing  exhibition about the origins of tattoos and body marking that are such a prominent part of contemporary culture and identity. Documentary photographer, Chris Rainier has traveled the world capturing rituals and traditions of cultures for publications such as Time, Life and National Geographic.  Bridging the savannahs of Africa to the barrios of Los Angeles he connects the indigenous forms of tattooing, scarification, piercing and other forms of body-altering art in his photography. A preview reception will be held on Saturday April 26, 2008 from 5-7 pm.  The exhibition continues through August 24th.  Please visit www.oma-online.org for more information.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Jazz at the Museum

The Oceanside Museum of Art knows how to bring the community together through entertaining cultural events.  Last night over 130 people attended an amazing concert by The Archtones at the museum.  Vigilucci's provided some delicious hors d'oeuvres and their signature wine for the event that was well received by the public.  The next Jazz at the Museum will feature Blue Largo on June 19th.  Please call 760.435.3720 for more information.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Oceanside Museum of Art

The Oceanside Museum of Art is a cultural destination not to be missed if you are in San Diego. This world class museum features traditional and contemporary local artists that have shaped the history of the region.  The new Frederick Fisher designed central pavilion is cutting edge with three new gallery spaces and engaging vistas.  The inaugural exhibition Masterpieces of San Diego Painting: Fifty Works from Fifty Years, 1900-1950, features fifty of San Diego's most outstanding artists during that period.  The exhibition runs from February 27 - June 29, 2008. Call 760.721.2787 for more information.