Call Description

This is a call to artists who are members of Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA)'s Artist Alliance: 

You are invited to submit up to 20 entries for consideration in this juried art exhibition at OMA, which will feature the most outstanding recent works by members of OMA’s Artist Alliance. Artwork will be on view in the large lobby-facing Rusty and Bebe Grosse Gallery. Submissions will be accepted exclusively through the website CaFÉ, www.callforentry.org.

Artists who are not members of the OMA Artist Alliance but are interested in participating in this exhibition must submit their membership applications for OMA with the Artist Alliance add-on before submitting artwork for consideration. Details on how to join can be found in this prospectus, or at oma-online.org/membership.

The jurors will select work that they feel creates the strongest show when considering all works in context with the other works submitted. The jurors’ selections are subjective. It is not always possible to include every excellent and worthy artwork submitted.

Juried by Chantel Paul, Patric Stillman, and OMA Director of Exhibitions and Collections Katie Dolgov.

Contact Katie Dolgov at katie@oma-online.org with questions about this submission opportunity after carefully reading the prospectus in full.

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ENTRY FEE: $25 for first submission, $10 for each thereafter. 

Scholarships are available, please contact katie@oma-online.org if you would like to be considered for a scholarship.

Thank you for being a part of OMA. Your submission fees (less CAfÉ listing fees) and membership dues go toward supporting the museum’s exhibitions and educational programming.

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AWARDS: The Grand Prize Winner will receive a solo exhibition at OMA opening in 2026 or 2027. Click here to view our last winner, Marshall Toomey! There will be three additional prizes:

$1,000 First Place

$500 Second Place

$250 Third Place

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TIMELINE:

• Deadline to submit: Monday, September 22, 2025, 10:59PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) 
• Notifications of selected artworks: On or before Friday, October 17, 2025
• Art Drop Off/Delivery to OMA: November 10-12, 2025, 12:00–3:00pm
  • Additional appointments are available
  • Artwork may be shipped to the museum or transported by the artist.
  • Further details will be provided when selections are announced.
• Exhibition on view to public: November 22, 2025–March 8, 2026
• Public reception: Saturday, November 22, 2025, 5:00–7:00pm 

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JURORS:

Chantel Paul

My career has taken me on a path from a commercial gallery setting to the museum and education field. Studying photography helped define an area of focus and remains a specialty in my curatorial practice. I began my career at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in La Jolla, CA where I was gallery director, working directly with photographers who captured the most iconic and intimate images we know of rock-n-roll and jazz musicians. After six years working with the world’s most celebrated music photographers, I took an opportunity to work in the curatorial department of the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park, San Diego. It was here, from 2010 - 2015, that I honed my craft as a curator and had the pleasure of working with an encyclopedic collection of renowned photographers. It was at MOPA that I realized my curatorial passion for storytelling and how art can be a tool for social change, critical thinking, and audience engagement beyond its aesthetic qualities.

From MOPA, I strategically pivoted to continue my work as a curator in the academic setting at San Diego State University (SDSU), where I became the gallery director for the SDSU Downtown Gallery. Here, I welcomed the opportunity to expand my practice beyond photography and lens-based work to include approaches to contemporary art in all media. I have made it a priority to engage with artists at all levels of their career, from emerging to well-established, connecting a diverse campus community and the regional population with renowned figures in contemporary art. Through my continued work curating and creating public programming for these audiences, I embrace the opportunity to take risks, expand beyond my comfort zone, and inspire an increasingly broad audience.

Patric Stillman

Patric Stillman is more than just an artist—he’s a visionary leader in the San Diego art scene. Since founding The Studio Door in 2014, Patric has curated spaces that celebrate artistic freedom and inclusivity. His work in Hillcrest’s LGBTQ+ cultural district has made him a beacon for artists seeking support and representation. As both a mentor and an arts activist, Patric brings art and community together in powerful ways.

As a passionate advocate for San Diego’s creative community, Patric Stillman has championed the Arts and LGBTQ+ inclusion through projects like public arts project Mural Alley, monthly community event Walk In Art [First Thursday], and national art exhibition PROUD+. As founder of the award-winning The Studio Door, Patric has empowered local artists and fostered diverse creative voices. Alongside his partner of 19 years, Danne Sadler, Patric continues to shape the city’s cultural landscape, bringing people together through art and activism.

His efforts have been recieved multiple accolades including Larry T Baza Arts and Culture Award from San Diego Pride, San Diego Tourism Accelerator Cohort, Artie Award from Mission Fed ArtWalk San Diego, Nicky Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts and numerous Special Commendations from elected officials.

Katie Dolgov (OMA Director of Exhibitions and Collections):

As Director of Exhibitions and Collections at Oceanside Museum of Art, Katie Dolgov is dedicated to creating meaningful, inclusive, and engaging experiences through contemporary art. With more than a decade of leadership in the arts and culture sector, she has produced and curated over 250 exhibitions, while spearheading major museum initiatives—from OMA’s nationally recognized Plein Air Festival and and other large-scale public programs to strategic exhibition development and cross-institutional collaborations.

Katie approaches her work with a deep belief in the power of art to foster connection, spark dialogue, and strengthen community. She prioritizes artist-centered practices and collaborative partnerships to bring diverse voices to the forefront and expand access to cultural experiences for OMA’s 26,000+ annual visitors and growing digital audiences.

Her background includes a BA in Studio Art and Graphic Design from the University of California, Irvine, and an MA in Collections Preservation and Museum Studies from the University of Lincoln, UK. During her time living and working in England, she gained hands-on experience at a range of cultural institutions before returning to Southern California in 2013 to join OMA’s team. Today, she is proud to be part of a vibrant arts community in North County San Diego, where she lives with her family.

Application Requirements

Media

• Artwork must have been completed within the last five years (2020 or later)
• Priority will be given to works that have not been displayed in an Artist Alliance exhibition (at OMA or off site) in the past five years.
• All submissions must be original works of art. No giclées or other reproductions of original work, with exception of limited edition prints or photography.
• Artists are encouraged to submit a variety of sizes.
• Artwork may be in any media or style.
• Artwork depicting nudity is allowed.

Sizes & Frames

• Two-or three-dimensional work, maximum 120” in any direction and 100 lbs
• Edges of unframed two-dimensional artwork must be finished or gallery wrapped

Installation & Hanging Hardware

• Works may be wall mounted, ceiling mounted, free standing, or pedestal standing
• Works must arrive ready to hang.
• D Rings preferred with wires removed for wall mounted works. D rings must be installed on the back at precisely equal distances from the top of all wall mounted work.
• If non-standard installation is required, clear and detailed instructions must be provided.
• Cleats and other hanging methods are acceptable.
• If required, artists may assist with installation.

Eligibility Criteria

OMA Membership with Artist Alliance add-on

Artists must be a current OMA member with the Artist Alliance affiliate membership add-on. Artists who are not members of OMA with the Artist Alliance add-on but are interested in participating in this exhibition must become members of OMA at any level and add Artist Alliance before submitting artwork for consideration. 

• Join online: Visit oma-online.org/membership. Choose any level of membership and then add Artist Alliance
• Join by phone: Call the OMA membership center at (760) 435-3724
• Join in person: Visit Oceanside Museum of Art at 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside CA (please check www.oma-online.org for public hours)

Image Quality

Keep in mind, the quality of artwork photography may affect whether your artwork will be selected. Ensure your artwork is photographed in good lighting with a steady camera. Direct sunlight on a clear day is ideal if studio lighting is not available. Include the artwork image only without frame, unless the frame is an artistically defining part of the submission.