Turn Yourself Into the Art at Art After Dark in Oceanside
Oceanside Museum of Art hands its galleries over to you once a year. The rooms become a runway, the dress code becomes a competition, and the art shows up on two legs.
You Are the Art, and the Runway Proves it
Art After Dark is OMA’s after-hours party, and the costume contest is the whole reason it exists. Anyone can enter, a panel of judges picks the winners, and the walk happens in front of the full room.
Costumes are strongly encouraged but not required, so go as elaborate or as low-key as you want. The people who go all in are the ones everyone photographs.
Three Categories, One Panel of Judges
Prizes go out in three directions this year: Best Upcycled Design, Best Interpretation of Sacrificial Bodies, and Best Interpretation of the Theme: Anatomy of the Surreal.
That middle category is the interesting one. It asks you to wear a response to a specific body of work rather than a general idea of spooky.
The Exhibition Behind Anatomy of the Surreal
The theme comes from David Adey: Sacrificial Bodies, on view at the museum. Your ticket doubles as free daytime admission, so you can walk the show before you start building anything.
What $85 Gets You, and What $175 Adds
General admission runs $85, or $65 for OMA members, and covers light bites, one drink, a live DJ, dancing, and the runway competition.
All Access VIP is $175 and adds a reserved seating area plus unlimited beverages. Muse Sponsor VIP is $500 for two tickets, Visionary Sponsor VIP is $1000 for four, and both include a tax-deductible donation.
Start Planning Your Costume Now
This is a 21 and up night, which means the costumes skew ambitious. OMA keeps a Pinterest board of inspiration for this year’s theme if you need somewhere to start.
Four hours goes quickly once the DJ starts. Get there early enough to see what everyone else built.
See you there!
Oceanside is worth the drive for this one. Make something strange, get to the museum early, and let the rest of the room take it from there.
📆 Saturday, October 24 | 7 PM – 11 PM
📍 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
🎟️ Get your tickets here
ℹ️ Take a closer look here
See you there, San Diego!
