Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA)
Founded in 1962 by thirteen visionary women, the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA) emerged from a shared belief in the need for a space to showcase contemporary art in Orange County. With a history rooted in supporting living artists and presenting innovative exhibitions, OCMA has shaped the modern art landscape. Originally known as the Newport Harbor Art Museum, it has continually evolved to provide transformative experiences for its visitors. Now housed in a striking new building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne of Morphosis Studio at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, OCMA remains a vital cultural hub, pushing the boundaries of art through its collections, exhibitions, and groundbreaking programming.
Exhibitions
Martin Creed: Work No. 3868 Half the Air in a Given Space
Now thru Sunday, February 16
Creed’s immersive work challenges our understanding of space and air, with hundreds of yellow balloons occupying the museum’s gallery, asking visitors to interact with and alter the environment.
Deux Femmes
Now thru Sunday, February 23
An exploration of the powerful, imaginative works of Leonor Fini and Leonora Carrington, two leading female figures in the Surrealist movement. Their pieces embrace themes of metamorphosis and transformation, exploring identity and self-representation in ways that defy conventional norms.
A Moment in Time
Now thru Sunday, February 16
Celebrating over 4,500 works from OCMA’s permanent collection, this exhibition highlights key moments in the museum’s history, showcasing revolutionary works from artists such as Chris Burden, Doug Aitken, and Marlo Pascual.
Lawrence Weiner: From The Sea To The Harbor From The Harbor To The Sea From The Sea To Another Shore
Now thru Sunday, March 16
Using text and graphic marks, Weiner’s work explores themes of water and movement, inviting viewers to reflect on the cyclical nature of the sea and the harbor.
Organized by OCMA’s Curatorial Department.
Ordinary Extraordinary
Now thru Sunday, May 25
This exhibition reimagines everyday objects and environments, inviting viewers to see the hidden magic in the mundane. Featuring works that elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary, “Ordinary Extraordinary” is a collection of installations and sculptures that playfully transform familiar materials like sponges, erasers, and paper bags into thought-provoking pieces of art.
Artists include Lynn Aldrich, Martha Alf, Claes Oldenburg, Joe Goode, and many others.
Su Yu-Xin: Searching the Sky for Gold
Now thru Sunday, May 25
An exploration of the materiality of color, Taiwanese artist Su Yu-Xin delves into the physical and conceptual properties of pigments, their origins, and their relationships to both natural and synthetic elements.
Unearthed
Now thru Sunday, May 25
An exhibition centered around the intersection of ceramics and geology, featuring works by artists such as Tony Marsh, Yuji Ueda, and Masaomi Yasunaga, who explore the medium’s intrinsic connection to land, place, and natural processes.
The Orange County Museum of Art is located at 3333 Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, CA 92626. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.ocma.art
