Artist Alley: October 2025

Sunday, October 12, 2025

TOP GUN

The Thrill of a Movie in a Real Theater....

Oceanside has Two Historical Venues

Stars Falling in never ending Wonder

I remember the first time I saw the Top Gun film in 1986 at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach. The wonder of seeing a film in surround sound, thundering, screaming F14 Tomcat jets, the incredible throbbing mind bending music and Tom Cruse was and is a lasting memory. This kind of wonder of a real Theater cannot be duplicated at home on my smart TV. No matter how convenient it is to sit at home with popcorn made in the micro, it is a solitary form of entertainment, and in the theater it is a melding of others and yourself with the Ooos, and awes, and when home alone, the thrill is not the same...

What is this community of entertainment? The watching, the hearing, the roar of the crowd yelling and laughing together? Sharing experiences of a new story, people close to you having the same visceral reaction is what I call Community Ethos. A Coming together to experience an art form which is so easily understood and instantly communicated through a common visual experience building memories for all of us.

Today, the San Diego Union Tribune had a feature article on historical theaters in San Diego county, which have been saved as one screen theaters for films. The Paloma Theater in Encinitas was the dominate venue which I have been to once long ago, and was a wonderful experience of old time appreciation of when we had this common appreciation of togetherness in a venue of timeless merit.

In Oceanside, the multiplex of ten screens has been voted by the Council to be replaced by multi-use retail and living units of apartments. We have two vintage Theaters which show films and live entertainment. The Star Theater, and the Sunshine Brooks. I celebrate these venerable grand Theaters. They are the Vault of collective memories.

The Sunshine Brooks Theater is host to the International Film Festival and is attended by people far and wide in Southern California and beyond. The Entries are from the world over, and is in the 16^th year of its showcasing new Intentional talent of exceptional creative achievement.

The Star Theater is an instant presence with it's glorious Large marquee Built in 1956, the 65-foot wide marquee was originally the largest in San Diego County. Sources have also referred to it as the largest neon marquee west of the Mississippi. Animated "waterfall"A key feature of the sign is the "electrical waterfall" of neon stars that appears to cascade 48 feet from the top of the sign. We have attended the Star Theater and was wowed by the production of “Annie” at Christmastime...

My appreciation for these of one screen movie theaters and the beauty of the unique architecture of times gone by are dear to my heart as an artist. The design, the lines of timeless truth of an art form of the day when the venue was inviting and feeling of a special place of enchantment. These buildings of community entertainment are worthy of our efforts to keep as the spirit of our history of film and live productions.

And, we do have here in Oceanside, The Top Gun House overlooking the Blue Pacific as in the film of so long ago. And Yes, I do often play on my smart TV with a soundboard the opening scenes of Top Gun just to hear the Music and hear the Roar...

The history of the Top Gun house and its move to a new location.

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Greetings from the Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation! Notes from the President’s Desk for October 2024. October 2024 was Arts and Humanities Month. It is appropriate that I return inspired after visiting Berlin at the end of October. As I walked through the streets and took in the varied and well-developed artistic culture, I could imagine Oceanside sounding and feeling as connected through the arts. An amazingly diverse smorgasbord of live music in venues, live music on a train, on the streets, in parks (including my flute!), on and along the water (I pitched in, as well). Within 3 days, I took in traditional jazz music jam, attended a world class classical concert featuring arguably one of the most accomplished living pianists, Martha Argerich with the Berlin Philharmonic and the next night, was treated to a concert of experimental jazz. Street sculptures, museums, bikes, coffee shops everywhere (me on some of them). A literal United Nations cuisine experience, with street-front immersion with a density that was too much to take in, if not on foot. The smells, sounds the feel. The “ping and pong” of table tennis in a captured green island between streets. As I explored on foot, I encountered extraordinary art sculptures in neighborhood after neighborhood, available to for all to touch and interact up close. It was an adventure I will not soon forget. I believe our beautiful city of Oceanside has a unique appeal that we can enrich with a continued commitment to building community through the arts. I’m proud of how far we’ve come. I hope to use my well-developed picture of the arts experience in Berlin to inspire my peers in the coming months. Public pianos update: A couple of weeks ago, we delivered our 2nd Oceanside painted piano, named “Laurel” to the Civic Center Library. Library Director CJ Dimento was present to accept the beautifully adorned piano, that should provide hundreds of hours of “moments of inspiration”. We are pleased to announce artist/muralist Sasha Furlan, is beginning work on our next painted public piano (delivered to her last week). Contact us for sponsorship opportunities. You may donate anonymously or as a recognized instrument sponsor (options for name recognition on a mounted plaque) or even naming rights. Would like to be a steward to a painted public piano in front of your Oceanside business? Let’s create community through the arts, together!! Stay tuned for future arts happenings around our town and surrounding communities! Let’s envision communities full of LIVE music, art and dance. Where children might accidentally find a new part of themselves. We can improve the quality of life for our permanent residents while continuing to build Oceanside into a premier Arts Destination. Just imagine, Extraordinary Art in Ordinary places!! Robert Parker – OCAF Board 2015 – Current Meet "Laurel" This OCAF sponsored Public Piano, "Laurel" has recently landed at the Civic Center Library. Be sure to give her a high-five "plunk" when you see her outside!!! Isn't she beautiful? Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation funded the last mile delivery (Chris Butcher), easy-move transport wheels, rehabilitation and tuning (Jeff Leahman). Artist Tawfilis and staff at Muramid Museum & Art Center spent countless hours turning this at risk piano into a community heirloom. This could have ended up in a city landfill (thanks for facilitating the donation Marina Jennings). Thanks much to CJ at the Oceanside Library for allowing the residency. Be sure to watch for more pianos. We will be parking them around the city of O'side. Be proud!!! Thank you Pat & Jerry Rugg OCAF would like to thank Pat and Jerry Rugg for their incredibly generous scholarship donation of $3,000 . "Pat and Jerry are committed to supporting our Oceanside youth not only academically, but also with opportunities for art, music and drama enrichment experiences." OCAF Donor Party The OCAF board extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at our recent donor appreciation party. It was wonderful spending time together and reconnecting with familiar faces we hadn’t seen in a while. Special thanks to Ann and Bruce Mortland for graciously opening their home for this special event! Art Walls, O'Side Join our Community! Become a Member of OCAF Today! If you have time, talents you would like to share with our community, we’d love for you to share them with us. A couple of hours a month to put out flyers. Talent with social media? Experience or interest in sound engineering? Do you just need to renew your commitment or start a new one? Don’t be shy! Contact us at http://ocaf.info. Join our Team! We cordially invite passionate individuals with a commitment to the arts to join the board of OCAF. As a board member, you'll have the chance to shape the cultural landscape of our community, contribute to strategic decision-making, and play a pivotal role in supporting local artistic initiatives. Join us in fostering creativity, community engagement, and the flourishing of the arts by becoming an integral part of the OCAF board. Interested? We'd love to hear from you!! http://ocaf.info. OCAF is proud to have FRONTWAVE CREDIT UNION as our continued ART WALLS sponsor! OCAF Board of Trustees Eliane Weidauer Anita Romaine Ann Mortland Robert Parker Amber Newman Meghan Meihaus Adjunct Board Members: Morgan Britt Terri Zimdars Tiffany Vakilian David Newman © 2023 Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation OCAF Equity Statement To support a full creative life for all, Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation commits to championing policies and practices of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive, and equitable community. Become a Member of OCAF Today Make a Donation to Support the Arts in Oceanside! This email was sent to rjj82artist@gmail.com You received this email because you are registered with Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation Unsubscribe here SendinBlue

VALLEY ARTS FESTIVAL

SPIRIT OF THE VALLEY: CIRCLE OF LIFE A CELEBRATION OF A LUISEÑO TRIBE, THE SAN LUIS REY BAND OF MISSION INDIANS sATURDAY, nOVEMBER 4, 2023! 11:00AM-4:00PM AT HERITAGE PARK IN OCEANSIDE, ca Studio ACE is proud to present the third annual Valley Arts Festival (VAF) to be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Heritage Park in Oceanside. This year’s festival is made possible thanks to title sponsorship by Visit Oceanside, and in partnership with Studio ACE, Oceanside Public Library, Friends of the Oceanside Public Library, Oceanside Cultural Arts Foundation, Floating Hearts, Muramid Art & Cultural Center (and California HQ for the UNESCO Center for Peace), and Mission San Luis Rey, and in cooperation with Mel Vernon, Captain, San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians. 2023 Sponsorship Opportunities are available! Please contact julia@studioace.org for more info! What is valley arts festival? The purpose of the festival is to present a celebration of Oceanside and its first peoples, today known as the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, one of the seven tribes of the Luiseño nation. The Luiseño are an indigenous people of California who inhabited the coastal area of Southern California; in the Luiseño language, the people call themselves Payómkawichum, meaning People of the West. Now in its third year, VAF aims to help support and celebrate the indigenous population that lived on the land now known as Oceanside for over 10,000 years, and to educate the community on the beauty and the strength of this amazing culture. A portion of proceeds from the festival will be donated to the San Luis Rey Mission Indian Foundation for enrichment programs.

The Tourmaliners

Time (Friday) 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Location Oceanside Museum Of Art 704 Pier View Way Event Details As the sun sets on another unforgettable summer, it's time to say goodbye to the sun-soaked days in true SoCal style—with the beachy sounds of surf music. Join us for Street Level Vol. 1.4: Surfsiders featuring sensational surf band, The Tourmaliners, and talented vocalist Celeste Barbier. Revel in the essence of our beachside lifestyle, the music, the drinks, and the camaraderie that make our gatherings original. Street Level transforms OMA into a stage to discover musicians, spoken word artists, dancers, and performers from across Southern California. Bring your family, meet new friends, or roll in with your crew. Create your O’riginal experience with the artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs in your backyard at OMA’s biggest social event of the month.

Friends of El Corazon (FELC) is proud to announce the 2023 Summer Concert Series held on the SoCal Sports Fields at El Corazon! Date: Band/Show (Genre) Sunday, June 18, 2023 (Father’s Day) Tony Suraci’s Tribute to The Highwayman in the Highwayman Show (Country) Sunday, July 16, 2023 Gone Blonde Party Band (Rock, Soul, & Funk) Sunday, August 27, 2023 B-Lot Music (Island Reggae) Gate opens at 2:00 pm for free kids art activities, free face painting, "on the fence" art show, SD SOCKER players, food trucks. Bands play 4-7 Bring your lawn chairs, a blanket, and a picnic basket. Or forget the picnic basket and enjoy the offerings from our food vendors. CALL for VOLUNTEERS and more SPONSORSHIPS are still available: Friends of El Corazon is looking for volunteers for the event. - children's art activities - canopy/table set up and break down - Also, Sponsorship opportunities remain for any individuals, families, groups, and businesses that would love to be part of this great event. If you are interested in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact Jan (oceansidejan@yahoo.com) or David (ddollahon@gmail.com) and we can send you a packet of information. Please share this email with your contacts... don't want to leave anyone out! This concert is funded by our very generous sponsors Sudberry Development Moody's at El Corazon SoCal Sports Center The Frontwave Arena The SD Sockers Soccerloco Oceanside Welcome Center GrowGood Psycology Group IONIS AgriService South O OGs Pepsil In coordination with OCAF, Ace Studios Oceanside, Linda Kallas

Blake Kern

Blake enjoys writing poetry which becomes the story behind the art in her sometimes rather dark and mysterious books. Creating altered books and altar boxes is a way for her to focus on a particular theme and develop the layers of texture and 3-D effect that is not obtainable with canvas or paper. She explains her process as follows: “I begin with an idea or sense of where I want to go, and by the end finds myself somewhere unexpected. The piece just takes on a life of its own, and I know when it’s done because it just feels right.” Blake’s goal is for the viewer to have a visceral reaction; to explore the box or book and discover the tiny details and symbolic messages that it contains. Not only does she want to evoke an emotional response, but she wants to tell a story.

Art Walls Oceanside Public Library Downtown

The Sea Monks First Friday November 5th Oceanside Museum of Art

What is a sea monk, you ask? The Legend. On a dark, dreary December day in 1546, off the eastern coast of the Danish island of Zealand, the mysterious Sea Monk was captured by a band of toothless and drunken fishermen. The mighty creature was brought to the king of Poland, who exhibited it to a group of bishops. When the creature made signs with its slippery limbs, begging to be released back to the blue depths of its salty home, the king and clergy obliged. Thence the mighty Sea Monk was carted back to the mysterious blue ocean by a team of filthy, half-starved oxen, where it disappeared beneath the riotous waves… until now. A band of Sea Monks is back—risen from the blue depths to put the salt back in your soul. So whip out your can of jive sauce and join The Sea Monks on their mission of plunk, twang and bwow-chcka-bwow! ... why not?

The Art Walls Experience

The Art Walls Experience The O'Side Bakery was the first venue in East Oceanside to have a unique and continuing Art Venue which combines a private eating establishment with gallery walls. There are of course two kinds of experience for those attending these exciting artists exhibition openings. First, for the Artist. The O'side Bakery provides a one person exclusive exhibition space for 8 weeks and sales have been steady. The openings have brought new folks to East Oceanside for a first time and find that the Bakery offers more than delicious baked goods. The Artists have been fans of this venue since 2018 and have found new opportunities to sell their work and the commission structure favors the Artist first. Second, for the patrons and visitors. The scene this past Tuesday was one of jubilant happy energies all around. The Bandwagon Johnny V Vernazza's group provided the music, and the place was jumping with the rhythmic beat especially from the saxophone player who strolled though the crowd. The Tasty Treats provided by the O'side Bakery were delicious, the no host wine bar was a happy place, and the artist's auction was the highlight of the evening. It is our hope that the Art Walls O'Side venue for art will be on your list to visit in the near future.

September Art Walls @ O'side Bakery Oceanside CA

Trish has traveled around the world as a former International Flight Attendant for Pan American World Airways, which further peaked her interest in culture, religion, language and history. Upon the abrupt ending of this career she decided to re-enter the educational system and received her undergraduate graduate degree in Art History and Sculpture, Masters in Feminist Clinical Psychology, Masters in Art Therapy and currently practices as a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and Art Therapist. Trish has been a recipient for many awards, Who’s Who in American Women, published in over 25 Arts & Crafts Magazines; along with her art having been displayed in various museums and collected by art lovers. She published “Women, Art & Mental Illness” while working in the Bay Area Jails and mental health programs while sharing her experiences through her personal art works. Trish explains, “Part of the purpose in my life is that I am human enough to serve as a prism for a universal story. Our experience is limited by the boundaries of our own consciousness and art making is a place that I can get around those limitations. I create to clear my mind of all external and internal debris. I strive to build a fluid bridge between the hand and mind so that they can become one voice that speaks to the moment. Creating art is my way of keeping a personal diary of the encounters that I have experienced in my life.” Trish Brown Vernazza, M.A., LMFT, ATR-BC Web site: www.VisionsofVenus.com Contact: info@trishv.com

Simay Collection

Thursday–Sunday members only 11:00am–12:00pm public until 5:00pm (4:00pm on Sundays) This exhibition of portraits drawn from the Doug Simay collection represents many styles and many viewpoints, highlighting what the collecting experience can deliver. What is collected and how it relates to other objects in the collection is a substantive way of interpreting history, adding a level of personal involvement and contribution. Viewers will hopefully be encouraged to become themselves active art world participants–engaging with artists and collecting their works. Pictured: Close up of Janet Cooling, Self Portrait at Oceanside Museum of Art.

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Anthony recently attended the 41st Annual Dallas International Guitar Festival held on May 4th-6th, 2018. He was entered into the "The 10 Under 20" competition which is a contest designed to showcase the best young guitarist. Throughout the festival, the top 10 guitarists, under age 20, were chosen to perform onstage during the "10 Under 20" showcase and finals. At the showcase, the Grand Prize Winner was announced. Congratulations to Anthony who was selected as the Grand Prize Winner!! Anthony received a trophy along with other great prizes that included equipment and a scholarship. Below is a video of Anthony's winning performance of "Pipeline." Check it out ... Click on the first video in blue..."Pipeline" On the Image of Anthony ... V

Artists Alley 1992

ART GLOW

I remember the First Thursday like it was yesterday. Today was to be our first Artist Alley event in conjunction with the Farmers Market. My thought was why not have the folks who buy fresh food and veggies, maybe finding an art work. The two do go together.

I arrived at 6:00 AM, hosed down the Alley, brought tables and chairs outside and put on the tape recorder of the Steel Drums playing calypso tunes. Would the Artist Come? I had promises from the Carlsbad Artists who said they would, and hoped they would remember, to try do something that had never happened in Oceanside before. Art in the Alley?. Could it happen?.

My fellow artist in this happening was Michael Rosenblatt. He had a studio upstairs and mine was downstairs where Myles McGuinness currently has his photographic studio.

The hour arrived, the artists came, and the People from the Farmer’s Market came. They came into an Alley which had metamorphosed into an Artist outdoor working studio. The hours seemed but like a moment, and suddenly it was all over. The artists gathered up their beautiful paintings and took away their success stories. The best one was that Michael did sell a painting and was our Star of the Day.

As I looked at the empty Alley, it was as if nothing had ever happened there as it was as before. The glow of the morning was gone from the Alley, but this wondrous golden glow of voices of the artists and the People finding a new experience in their City has remained in my heart for 20 years…

The Thursday mornings became a weekly event which lasted for several years…and changed the Alley forever…

Giant Pepper Tree at the Mission San Luis Rey click on the Pepper tree for a tour of the Mission

Largest Pepper Tree in California - at Mission San Luis Rey This California Pepper tree was planted in 1830 in the middle of the mission garden at San Luis Rey in Southern California. The seeds were brought from Peru by a sailor and were planted in the garden by Friar Antonio Peyri The California Pepper Tree is a native of the arid zones of Northern South America. It is a drought tolerant evergreen that grows to fifty feet in height. The seed clusters do not produce the commercial variety of pepper however the seeds have medicinal powers as they have antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

NCSS

NORTH COUNTY SCULPTORS SALON

This vibrant and extremely talented group of artists come together every other month to explore their journeys, share their new findings of media, and have treats of nibbles and wine. We meet in our respective studios, and are located all over our great North County pastures of creativity.

This month we met at Ving Simpson's studio in Oceanside. The weather was great and the comradery was warm with seeing old friends and meeting new ones. We share, laugh, eat, and in generally just have a great time as folks who have a common interest in the very tough and labor intensive genre of sculpture.

.LIBBY LAKE PARK

Libby Lake 1995 As I wandered down the pathways of this lovely place hidden among the complex of apartments and condos, I thought about why more folks did not come to Libby Lake Park. “It's not safe” my neighbors told me. There are gangs and bad things happen there. Yes they do, murder, drugs, fighting over turf and all of the many elements which are gang related. Never ignoring a challenge, I sought to bring art to the park. So taking paper pads, charcoal, pencils, water, and my hopes I went to Libby Park one day to see what would happen if someone just put their art selves “out there”. I did bring a secret weapon. One of my heroes of the Art World which would be an easy visible way to bring art to the park which had never happened before. M.C. Escher. My book had many incredible images to show and inspire the youngsters who I hoped would be receptive. As I sat beneath a tree, sketching away a group of young men came towards me. Young Children had already started their drawings and some were doing water color as well. Oh, I thought, what will happen now? The Young Men approached and watched the children for a while. Then the motioned me to come over to them. I went and this is what they said. “This is our Park” and we do not want strangers here, but since you are helping the kids we will let you stay”. Hmm I thought...maybe they too would want to do some art. So here is where the MC book came into play. I brought the book over to them, and asked if they would like to try their hand at drawing Escher. The images blew their minds as they were not familiar with this kind of art. When you think about it, Escher is not to far away from the Graffiti art that these young men do. So they spent about a half hour sitting at one of the tables drawing and looking at Escher. When they were leaving, this is what they said to me. Come when ever you want, the Children need this kind of Art experience...and I did...through out that summer I went to Libby Park, sat under a tree and watched children immerse themselves in another world, a world of the real in their eyes, the world of their own art, and a world filled with possibilities. Ruth Jameson

Year of the Horse

The Spring Equinox

Celebrate Spring with Equinox Photography Workshop
On Friday, March 21, the only day of the year when the amount of sunlight and darkness are equal, join Oceanside Public Library to welcome spring with a celebration of equals. Starting at 5:00 p.m., a workshop in photographic composition will be followed by local photographers Aurelia Valencia and Rich Cruse speaking about their work in the Civic Center Library Foundation Room on the second floor. Following the workshop, head downstairs to experience a traditional performance with Nahuatzin Folklorico Dance Company.

Rich Cruse, a Southern California local, has been a triathlon photographer for over 30 years. His work with Equinox explores the magic of Oceanside at sunset. "The beach here is pure magic. I am constantly astounded by the diversity I find, low tide at sunset is like a symphony. Being here is a great way to end my day and celebrate another day on earth."

Aurelia Valencia's work celebrates the Mexican culture through her images of the Mexican-American women of Oceanside keeping traditions alive through cultural changes. She focuses on details that remain constant through time. Together, their work represents the delicate balance of opposites in Oceanside. Their work will be on display through April 11, 2014.

For more news and information about the Oceanside Public Library, please visit the library's website at www.oceansidepubliclibrary.org and follow us on Facebook.