In the Curator’s Words: Riding the wave of California’s surfing culture

In the Curator’s Words is an occasional series that takes a critical look at current exhibitions through the eyes of curators.

It seems only natural that the Oceanside Museum of Art would, at some point, mount an exhibit on surfing.

So when the California Surf Museum, less than a quarter of a mile away, approached it with a partnership proposal, it made sense to say “yes.”

That partnership has resulted in a groundbreaking dual-venue exhibition titled “Surf Art: Exploring California’s Coastal Culture.” It opens Saturday at the Oceanside Museum of Art, and a few weeks later, on Sept. 13, at the California Surf Museum.

Katie Dolgov, the director of exhibitions and collections at the Oceanside Museum of Art, talks about the partnership, the first of its kind for both institutions, but more importantly, explains the significance of surfing culture in California.

Q: Everyone must be stoked about this exhibit. How did this collaboration between the Oceanside Museum of Art and the California Surf Museum come about?

A: The collaboration between Oceanside Museum of Art and the California Surf Museum came about through a shared passion and a timely opportunity. Jim Kempton, executive director of the California Surf Museum, submitted a thoughtful proposal to OMA, aligning perfectly with our long-standing desire to present a contemporary art exhibition that explored the vibrant world of surf culture and surf-inspired art. It was a natural fit — two leading cultural institutions in Oceanside, each with deep roots in the community, coming together to tell a story that is both locally resonant and globally relevant. This partnership allowed us to combine our respective strengths — OMA’s contemporary art focus and CSM’s deep cultural expertise — to create an exhibition that celebrates the art, history and soul of California’s coastal culture.

Q: More than 30 regional artists are showcased in this exhibition, featuring everything from paintings and sculptures to textiles and murals. What were the main criteria you were looking for in putting together the final lineup?

A: We selected artists and works based on several key criteria. We prioritized authenticity, focusing on artists who are deeply connected to surf culture — surfers themselves, as well as surf industry professionals — so that the work genuinely captures the spirit and emotion of surfing, especially the elusive feeling of “stoke.” We also sought a diverse range of media, from painting and sculpture to resin, murals and surfboards, to reflect the many ways surf culture inspires creativity. The lineup includes both established and emerging artists, with a strong emphasis on Southern California voices to ground the show in its regional context. Above all, we looked for work that doesn’t just depict surfing but expresses the deeper cultural, emotional and spiritual connection between people and the ocean.

Q: What’s the most important takeaway that you hope a viewer learns from this exhibition?

A: The most important takeaway we hope viewers leave with is a deeper understanding of how surf culture is a rich, evolving cultural force that shapes identity, community and creative expression in California and beyond. Through this exhibition, we invite visitors to see surf art not as a niche genre but as a dynamic visual language that reflects the complexities of coastal life — its beauty, tension, freedom and fragility. The artworks on view span mediums and perspectives, showing how surfing has inspired everything from countercultural movements to environmental activism and how artists continue to use it as a lens to explore bigger issues. We want people to recognize that surf art is not just about waves — it’s about the people, the place and the power of the ocean to shape how we see the world and ourselves. Presented by two institutions located in the heart of the Oceanside Cultural District — one of just 14 in the state — this exhibition also highlights the vital role OMA and CSM play in connecting regional artists and stories to visitors from Southern California and around the world. (In addition to the Oceanside Cultural District, there are two more in San Diego County: the Balboa Park Cultural District and the Barrio Logan Cultural District.)

‘Surf Art: Exploring California’s Coastal Culture’

When: Opening Saturday at the Oceanside Museum of Art and Sept. 13 at the California Surf Museum. Both exhibitions will be on display through Feb. 1.

Where: Oceanside Museum of Art, 701 Pier View Way, Oceanside. California Surf Museum, 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside.

Tickets: Oceanside Museum of Art: $15 adults; $10 seniors 65 and up; free for members, youth 17 and under, college students with I.D., and active military and dependents with I.D. California Surf Museum: $7 adults; $5 seniors 62 and up, military and students; free children 11 and under.

Phone: OMA: 760-435-3720. CSM: 760-721-6876

Online: oma-online.org and surfmuseum.org