First Friday Art Walk Oceanside will be held at Artist Alley in downtown Oceanside on Friday, September 6th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm. More than 50 local artists, food vendors and musicians will be on hand this month.
“First Friday Art Walk is making a significant contribution to the burgeoning arts community in Oceanside. Just last month the Oceanside Friends of the Arts (OFA) was presented with the Arts and Culture Partner of the Year Award by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce at their annual Awards and Recognition Luncheon, says Susan Brown, president of OFA. Also, as part of our primary mission, OFA presented another $500 scholarship to a very deserving high school senior. Valerie Pfeffer, an El Camino High School graduate who plans to attend Chico College to pursue a Digital Arts major, was the third recipient of an OFA scholarship grant.”
In addition to the main artists exhibits in Artist Alley, several other local venues will be tying-in with this month’s Art Walk.
Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) will be featuring a free Music at the Museum concert with celebrated blues singer Whitney Shay, as Art Walk extends into the night. A four-time San Diego Music Award winner (including 2019 Artist of the Year), Shay’s electric energy, soulful style and powerhouse pipes keep listeners connected and coming back for more. Free admission, cash bar and Mangia Mangia food truck will be on hand serving up delicious authentic Italian eats. The music starts and cash bar opens at 7:00pm. Explore the exhibitions from 5:00-8:00pm and stay for the concert from 7:00-10:00pm.
Brooks Theatre in downtown Oceanside is showcasing queer talent from all over San Diego County. This year’s event will feature a ‘Summer of Love’ theme to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Audience members are encouraged to dress the part. The lobby of the Brooks Theatre features a continuously changing fine art gallery featuring the work of local artists and is open to all during First Friday Art Walk.
The Oceanside Public Library, Civic Center will be hosting the Free Spirit Quilters, an art quilt group that was formed in 2003. The artists will have a reception at the Civic Center Library during First Friday Art Walk from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Every year, Free Spirit Art Quilters select a challenge as a theme for their show and create work to answer that theme. This year the theme is “Where does Color Take You”. Each artist has used individual inspirations for this challenge and a variety of Art Quilts will be on display.
Featured Art Walk Artists
Lucas Hunt creates contemporary pieces meant to add color and brightness to any space. Drawing inspiration from his many life experiences, his art often reflects the natural world around him. He was raised in small-town Iowa and developed a love of woodworking and an appreciation of trees. He creates his original tree-ring ink prints using locally sourced ornamental and native tree species that he finds and transforms in a long and involved process. Lucas hopes his art resonates with people, that they might see in his creations a love of nature and have the opportunity to bring that love into their homes.
Ivy Hall is the Art & Media Director for Oceanside Friends of the Arts and a current board member. She is a photographer and a digital fine art artist. A native Southern California beach girl, Ivy moved to Oceanside to be closer to family and to explore new vocational interests. Ivy’s background is in printing, photography, graphic design, web development and event planning. Many of her works feature local, Oceanside beach themes.
Brooks Albright specializes in Naturescapes art…an all-natural art consisting of a variety of wood, rock and plants that is designed to bring others closer to nature.
About The Oceanside Friends of the Arts
The Oceanside Friends of the Arts, a Non-Profit 501c3 Foundation, was established in 2016 with the goal of promoting Oceanside and surrounding communities as an important arts, culture, entertainment and tourism hub/destination that catalyzes economic prosperity and a high quality of life for Oceanside’s future. The Oceanside Cultural District was recently selected as one of California’s 14, premier state-designated cultural districts by the California Arts Council. The California Cultural Districts program aims to leverage the state’s artistic and cultural assets. Fund-raising proceeds will go to support First Friday Art Walk and scholarships for high school graduates to further their art education.
About Oceanside Museum of Art
Oceanside Museum of Art located at 704 Pier View Way, is a premier regional art museum and a leader of arts and culture in San Diego. In addition to several highly praised contemporary art exhibitions per year, museum programming includes classes, lectures, docent tours, parties, concerts, films, culinary events, and chartered travel to other cultural art venues and destinations.
About The Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC)
The Oceanside Theatre Company’s mission is to produce professional productions for the entertainment and enrichment of our community, provide a venue for the expansion of artistic endeavors and to present educational opportunities in the arts for children and adults. Located in downtown Oceanside in the historic Brook’s Theatre, the OTC features the Brook’s Gallery – showcasing fine art by local artists and professional programming (the youth academy, music series and mainstage productions) that brings greater cultural and artistic assets to our community.
