20,000 Years

Long ago and far away in time, our Valley of the San Luis Rey was a wondrous home to the Luiseno People. The land was a natural habitat, a beautiful and unspoiled world, for the people of this time. The flora and fauna has disappeared due to our present culture of displacement of the natural lifescape of yesteryear. The Valley vibrates with the State 76 Hwy day and night, the thunderous roar of Camp Pendelton jets and training artillery, the whine of the passenger jets high over head, leaving their polluted contrails drifting through the sky with the toxic particles drifting down on our modern culture of more.

Being one with the City of Oceanside CA seems like forever. My first visit when I was 3 years old sitting in a little rocking chair gazing out beyond the pier infused me with the mysteries of the Sea. A small child becoming one with nature imprinting for all time the beauty of the Ocean. The year was 1938. Our City, then was a small beach town off the beaten track.

Last week I was awakened by a flute song that was being played by Faustino Frederick. He was standing in front a large mural to be unveiled that tells the story of the Payomkawichum, People known as Luiseno. People of the Sea.

There were many people there to celebrate this event, but in the listening to the sweet sounds of the flute, my eyes closed and a vision of long ago emerged in my minds eye, of the way it was. Twenty Thousand years ago the Luiseno people were living in the San Rey Valley. The air was crystal clear, the trees were majestic, the river so pure you could drink it dipping your hands in the cool sweet liquid...

This reverie lasted moments but when in enthralled by the magic flute, it seemed like my time in this vision was beyond time. And so it was, the sounds of life of yesteryear gave way to the whispering crowd waiting for the speeches to end and the unveiling of the mural of history of 20,000 years.

                                      The Luiseno Mural located in East Oceanside at the Public Library

The moment arrived, the coverings removed and there in a golden glow of painted history was a splendid visual art work. The artist is Gibran Isaias Lopez of Escondido. Happy clapping erupted and cries of wonder echoed though the crowd. It will be there in the Children section of the Library for all to see and learn about the the People of so long ago. They, the Luiseno, are still here today and enrich our lives everyday with their wisdom, knowledge of the San Luis Rey and the sweet music of long ago...20.000 years of harmony with Nature...

I love my City of Oceanside, but from time to time, I dream of the White Horse high on his hill above the 76 with his head turned towards the Sea ...

 

 

 

 

OMA Rising

                                                                   Oceanside Art Museum

Thirty Years ago, I stood in front of the old City Hall in Oceanside. It was boarded up and was destined to be the City Clerk's storage building. I was told that the Council had voted on this proposed use and that the City Staff would not consider using the beautiful old Irving Gill building for an Art Museum. The concept was presented by the Arts Commission to the City Council and fortunately, they welcomed the idea of an Art Museum for our City which until then was missing this vital element of human endeavor...

 

 

That was then, and now after our 25^th Anniversary as an Art Museum, I look with wonder at what has been accomplished. Many folks have been given their time, their art, their treasure and hands on support. We thank them all. Our Executive Director, Maria Mingalone, to whom we owe so very much, gave this update at last Saturday evening's annual Patron Party, and shared with us the Rising of OMA. 

 

• OMA is at the epicenter of our Cultural Arts District designated by the State Legislature in 2017. In 2023 the state is now investing over 460K in the arts in Oceanside.

• New York Times … OMA is first on the list to see art in California along with the Norton Simon Museum and the Brewery Art Walk in LA, in the article published April 28^th 2023.

• OMA is one of four museums in the state of California to receive the 2023 Superintendents Award of Excellence in Museum Education. It is award to museums who make a significant contribution in California's K- 12 educational system.

• OMA has been selected for the Getty Foundation's ambitious Pacific Standard Time Initiative, titled “Art and Science Collide” which launches in fall 2024.

• OMA is expanding to bring into our campus the adjoining Gill Fire Station 1. We will have new spaces for expanded Educational classes, lectures and exhibitions. From one lonely abandoned Gill building to an entire City block, OMA stands proud.

So I thank Maria, our Staff, Our Generous Oceanside and regional Supporters, and a growing list of amazing cultural partners who have made this miracle possible. 

     Something wondrous awaits for us as we imagine new spaces for OMA at O'side's Fire  Station 1.

       OMA Rising exists because of the spirit of creativity in all of its many forms, resides within us all.

 

 

Extraordinary works of Art at the Oceanside Museum of Art.

Robert Xavier Burden February 18–June 4, 2023

In the previous post, I offered images of Robert Xavier Burden There is no way possible to describe these monumental works which depict stories connecting his imagination with tales we all know and love.

King Kong and Fay Wrey, Bat Man, Peter Pan and inscribing them into frames of imagination that take you on a journey of yesteryear and beyond...The works are anchored by a central theme or image. The intricacies of each painting are profound and the word awe is my personal reaction in viewing these works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melissa Meier March 11–June 25, 2023

From Nature sculptured forms are incredible art creations which can make one wish you could touch. The exception is one sculpture make of porcupine quills. As a sculptor myself, the three dimensional element of the doing is exciting for it has sides, and a back. This aspect of creating is one of 360 degrees with infinite possibilities. The viewer sees the relationships of the form melding into itself and becoming a new image in 3D reality while walking slowly around the sculpture. The media is of Nature's gifts which Meier uses in a whimsical and painstaking effort. Patience is a quality demanded of this artist and she has conquered this challenge majestically.

 

FirstFriday Art Walk Oceanside May 5 Artist Alley and the City Plaza at the Library Courtyard...

Happy Feet and Happy Drumming ... dancing and making art. The Exhibitions by regional artists are now displaying in a venue across the street from Artists Alley. This natural progression is one which has origins of yesteryear in the early 90's. So, it is wonderful and timely, as we return to our Art Walks with the pandemic in the rear view mirror of yesterday... June 2^nd will be the next event.