Oceanside’s Cultural Powerhouses Unite for Groundbreaking Surf Art Exhibition

Oceanside Museum of Art and The California Surf Museum are joining forces for their first collaborative exhibition, “Surf Art: Exploring California’s Coastal Culture,” celebrating Southern California’s surf-inspired art scene.

This landmark partnership between two institutions with complementary missions creates a unified exploration of how surf culture has shaped artistic expression in the region where modern surf culture was born.

Two Museums, One Vision

This two-part format allows each museum to contribute its unique perspective—OMA’s focus on contemporary Southern California artists and CSM’s global understanding of surf culture’s impact on society. The collaboration ensures both personal artistic vision and broader cultural context receive equal attention.

Jim Kempton, CSM’s Executive Director and co-curator, captures the challenge perfectly: “Everyone who has experienced the feeling of riding a wave understands just how hard it is to describe that incredible sensation, referred to as ‘stoke.”

The exhibition tackles exactly this challenge, exploring how artists interpret and express that ineffable connection between surfer and ocean.

Diverse Artistic Expressions

More than 30 regional artists contribute works spanning painting, sculpture, resin pieces, surfboards, murals, graphic design, and textiles. This variety of mediums reflects how surf culture has influenced artistic expression across disciplines, from traditional fine arts to functional design and street art.

Katie Dolgov, OMA’s Director of Exhibitions and Collections, emphasizes how “surf art is part of that mosaic” of California’s rich contemporary art heritage.

The curatorial team includes Katie Dolgov, Jim Kempton, OMA Executive Director Maria Mingalone, and local artists Wade Koniakowsky and Phil Roberts, bringing both institutional expertise and artist perspectives to the project.

Community Celebration

Community events reflect both institutions’ commitment to making art accessible while celebrating Oceanside’s unique position as a surf culture epicenter.

These celebrations create opportunities for audiences to engage with both the artwork and the broader cultural conversations surrounding surf art’s place in Southern California’s artistic landscape.

Cultural Impact Beyond the Gallery

This collaboration represents more than just shared exhibition space—it’s a recognition of how surf culture has become integral to Southern California’s artistic identity.

By combining OMA’s regional focus with CSM’s global perspective, the exhibition offers audiences both intimate artistic expressions and broader cultural understanding.

See you there!

“Surf Art: Exploring California’s Coastal Culture” creates exactly the kind of innovative cultural programming that celebrates Oceanside’s unique artistic and surf heritage.

📆 CSM opening September 13, both through February 1, 2026 | Exhibition celebrations August 23 (5 pm-7 PM) and October 3 (5 PM-8 PM)
ℹ️ More info: OMA | California Surf Museum

See you there, San Diego!