Millard Sheets, a Southern California Regional artist who developed a national reputation for his brilliant watercolors, will be the main topic of discussion during an informal walk and talk given by his daughter Carolyn Owen Sheets-Towle at the museum Thursday, October 2, from 7:00-9:00 pm. Oceanside Museum of Art is thrilled to announce the new release of Carolyn’s loving memoir "Damngorgeous" that affords the reader personal insight into this true visionary that was committed to making art a part of everyday life in Southern California. "Damngorgeous" will be available in the OMA Museum Store. Carolyn’s entertaining talk is free for OMA members as a benefit of membership and $5 for nonmembers.

The Millard Sheets exhibition DAMNGORGEOUS: Millard Sheets and his Southern California Legacy is on view September 20 through January 4, 2009. A preview reception will introduce the exhibition on Saturday, September 13 from 5:00-7:00 pm. OMA’s receptions are known for their party atmosphere complete with wine and scrumptious hors d’oeuvres prepared by OMA’s own Culinary Arts Council. Admission to the reception is $8. Members of the museum enjoy complimentary admission as a benefit of membership.

Sheets assembled a dynamic body of watercolors through the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s that reflected a simpler way of life embedded in rural America. He not only played a major role in bringing the art of California to the national arena, he was a prominent teacher at Chouinard Art Institute, Scripps College, Claremont Graduate School and Otis Art Institute during his lifetime. He made a lasting impact with the expansive exhibition program he directed at the Los Angeles County Fair that introduced millions of Californians to the finest American, European, and Asian arts and crafts.