STARRY NIGHTS  ~  STARRY LIGHTS

Once a Year we do this thing called “The OMA Ball”. It is a time for our stepping out and stepping up to support our Oceanside Museum of Art. The realization of a dream come true. The OMA is a place where we come together to see, savor, and consume not only wonderful art, and culinary delights, but on this night of stars, we indeed have the opportunity to salute and reward our members who give so much to OMA.

We were welcomed by our glamours and dynamic Executive Director Maria Mingalone. Our time on the terrace was enhanced with champagne and nibbles and the lively conversation of greeting old friends and meeting new friends of the Arts. We then strolled down to the transformed Civic Plaza in her party dress. 

It always is amazing to me how this magic is accomplished. It is due to the Lady of the hour, Cheryl Weiner who year after year leads her team to transport us into a venue of Arts with Entertainment and Great Dining. Cheryl is our charming event leader and one who engages us in her passion for OMA on our ongoing path of giving back to OMA. She is one of the brightest lights in our OMA art world. 

Cheryl Weiner 

The Dinner was as always wonderful, three courses served with the appropriate wine selections. Music gave us rhythm to our evening enhanced by the dancing waters of the Civic Fountains as a backdrop.

The 2017 Medal of Distinction this year was given to four of our longtime and committed members of OMA who have contributed so much  to our Museum. Sara and Ray Botts from the very beginning of the early years in the creation of OMA, Billie Nunan, an artist and aid to our first director, Skip Pahl, and Ermie Terry, who is central in the many facets of OMA from committee memberships, to new member greeting organizer, and fund raising events. Her husband Jim was our neighbor to Artists Alley in the early days and a true lover of the Arts. These folks are our truest “lights” of OMA.

Sara and Ray Botts, Billie Nunan, and Ermie Terry

Dancing and a lively auction filled the remainder of our evening under the stars. I did have one dance with a long time art friend, and my heart and mind remembered the many times this dance was with my beloved husband Robert who gave his energy to my wanderings down this path I call Artists Alley which on this night is on the other side of the Plaza we all call our Oceanside, the City of Arts.

I dedicate this posting to my Husband Robert and the memories  I had on this starry night.... Ruth J Jameson

WE CELEBRATE OUR CITY

OF THE ARTS

On July 22 of this month we celebrate our City of Arts now designated as a Cultural District by the California Arts Council.. We, the Artists, Commissioners, and Patrons of the Arts have been creating Art Waves for a quarter of a Century and on this night under the stars, we celebrate our Splendid Oceanside  Museum of Art we fondly call OMA.

Our City has come a long way in promoting the arts since I first moved here in 1991. At that time, there was no Artists Alley, the Brooks Theater was closed, the Star was on and off, and OMA did not exist. We had dreams back then. Ginny Tompkins and I spent many long hours dreaming about what could and should come to our City on the Hill. We were both on the Arts Commission and were trying “find” a key to opening the door of the Art World for Oceanside.

The Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation had been tasked by Mayor Bagley to bring Culture to Oceanside. This great Foundation had been formed before I moved to Oceanside and many ideas had been offered, but none had taken root in our fair City. At one of our Commission meetings, Chairman Dr. Kieth Broman gave us a task to "Find" venues to hang visual art. We were thinking a gallery space that would be cost effective, maybe a vacant store front.

Walking the downtown, it seemed that there was no suitable site until the vacant Old City Hall building came forth for consideration. It had been bordered up for years and was destined to be the City Clerk's storage building for records. When the City Council heard the concept presented by OCAF, they came into the light of our vision. The rest is history. The Star Theater shines with performance, the Brooks performs wonderful plays,and has film festivals , Artists Alley is our joyous place of studios, and The Muramid Mural Museum, all because OMA was the catalyst for change. We Celebrate our City tonight on the 22^nd of July, but most of all, most of all we Celebrate our Oceanside Museum of Art which began the transformation of our downtown. OMA we thank you !

SOMETHING WONDERFUL HAS HAPPENED !!!

OCEANSIDE IS ONE OF THREE DISTRICTS IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO BE HONORED FOR OUR ARTS PROGRAMS. WE OWE SO MUCH TO THE OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART, ARTISTS ALLEY, AND THE MURAMID MURAL MUSEUM AND ART CENTER. THE IMPACTS  OF OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE LAST DECADE HAS PUT THE OCEANSIDE CULTURAL ARTS DISTRICT DOWN TOWN ON THE ARTS MAP OF CALIFORNIA.  

A special thanks to Joanne Tawfilis for her amazing work in bringing the Muramid Mural Museum to Oceanside, the first Mural Museum in the world.

Newly launched program celebrates the state’s diverse and abundant cultural treasures
SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Arts Council has announced the 14 districts that will serve as California’s premier state-designated Cultural Districts, highlighting thriving cultural diversity and unique artistic identities within local communities across California.

• Balboa Park Cultural District, San Diego - San Diego Region
• Barrio Logan Cultural District, San Diego - San Diego Region
• The BLVD Cultural District, Lancaster – Los Angeles Region
• The Calle 24 Latino Cultural District, San Francisco – San Francisco Bay Area Region
• Downtown San Rafael Arts District, San Rafael - San Francisco Bay Area Region
• Eureka Cultural Arts District, Eureka - North Coast Region
• Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District, Grass Valley/Nevada City - Gold Country Region
• Little Tokyo, Los Angeles – Los Angeles Region
• Oceanside Cultural District, Oceanside – San Diego Region
• Redding Cultural District, Redding – Shasta Cascade Region
• Rotten City-Emeryville Cultural Arts District, Emeryville - San Francisco Bay Area Region
• San Pedro Waterfront Arts, Cultural & Entertainment District, San Pedro – Los Angeles Region
• SOMA Pilipinas – Filipino Cultural Heritage District, San Francisco – San Francisco Bay Area Region
• Truckee Cultural District, Truckee – High Sierra Region

A Cultural District, as outlined by the program, is a well-defined geographic area with a high concentration of cultural resources and activities. Each of the 14 districts will receive the designation for a period of five years, per state legislation. Designation, under this pilot launch of the program, includes benefits such as technical assistance, peer-to-peer exchanges, and branding materials and promotional strategy. The Council has partnered with Visit California and Caltrans for strategic statewide marketing and resource support.

Originating with the adoption of Assembly Bill 189 in 2015, authored by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, the California Cultural Districts program aims to leverage the state’s artistic and cultural assets. Aligning with the mission and values of the California Arts Council, the districts will celebrate the diversity of California while unifying under an umbrella of shared values—helping to grow and sustain authentic grassroots arts and cultural opportunities, increasing the visibility of local artists and community participation in local arts and culture, and promoting socioeconomic and ethnic diversity.

Districts will also play a conscious role in tackling issues of artist displacement.
Pilot cohort districts will offer feedback to the Council to ensure the subsequent launch of the full program in 2019 will be supportive, accessible and appropriate for all types of cultural centers.
The 14 districts that comprise the program’s first cohort were selected with variety in mind, intended to help tailor the program to meet the complex needs of a state kaleidoscopic in nature. Districts range developmentally from emerging to established; include an emphasis on cultural consumption, cultural production, and cultural heritage; and are located in urban, suburban and rural areas.

“State-level designation of Cultural Districts, with California’s diverse geography and regional variety, allowed for an entirely new and comprehensive look at our deeply valued cultural assets,” said Donn K. Harris, California Arts Council Chair. “Each community's personal and generational commitment to these assets speaks of a state deeply invested in the places and people that celebrate local traditions and creativity. Our goal with the pilot launch of this new program was to support a group of districts that met high but broad standards of coherence, vision, and purpose – ones that could set an example for districts that will follow as the program develops and grows.”
“These Cultural Districts showcase California’s cultural diversity and vibrant experiences," said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “The districts are one more way to highlight the one-of-a-kind places throughout our state that inspire residents and visitors alike.”

Selection for the California Cultural Districts was conducted through a multistep process, including an open call for initial letters of intent, a peer panel review, site visits for semi-finalists, and an invited finalist application. The program was highly competitive and received interest and submissions from dozens of communities across the state.
Harris added, “We know there are many gems waiting to be polished, and the California Arts Council is committed to providing support and ongoing service so that all deserving districts have the opportunity to be recognized. We will continue to encourage local efforts that address the social and economic challenges and opportunities that may arise as these districts evolve.”
Additional new districts will be eligible to apply for state designation in 2019 through a finalized certification process.
Learn more about the California Cultural Districts program at www.caculturaldistricts.org.
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The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California's diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.
Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Donn K. Harris, Vice Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Larry Baza, Phoebe Beasley, Christopher Coppola, Juan Devis, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Louise McGuinness, Steven Oliver, and Rosalind Wyman. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.

For more information contact Cathy DiMento  CDiMento@ci.oceanside.ca.us