The Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League is a tax-exempt organization founded to promote art education and cultural appreciation of fine art in the community. This purpose shall be supported, as funding allows, by demonstrations, student scholarships, outdoor displays, exhibitions, commercial displays, miscellaneous cultural tours and a main gallery.
(Note: Our programs are made possible, in part, by a grant from the City of Carlsbad Art Office.)
The League is over 50 years old. It was incorporated in 1951, with its first president being Alfred E.R. van de Velde. We are made up chiefly of members from the cities of Carlsbad and Oceanside, California, but also include members from all over San Diego county and beyond.
Our members are allowed to show their work in our public gallery at the Carlsbad Village Faire Shopping Center, in Carlsbad (
see map). For a small fee and a commitment to sit at the gallery for one half-day, up to three pieces may be shown for an entire month (up to five pieces if the artist is willing to sit for two half-days). Our shows change monthly, with work normally being exchanged on the first Monday of each month. When work is sold through the gallery, members are expected to make a donation to COAL to help support the gallery and other programs.
On the
second Friday of each month (except July, August and December) a general meeting, open to the public, is held at the Carlsbad Recreation Center (
see location map). Meetings generally feature a demonstrator in one medium or another. Times are from 1:30pm -3:30pm. Refreshments are served.
A newsletter, called "The Brushmark," is published each month and mailed to all members, providing information about upcoming events as well as news of general interest. Annually, a yearbook is published, listing the names, addresses, and phone numbers, etc., of all members.