The Fullerton Museum Center has launched "OC Made," a new biennial juried exhibition dedicated exclusively to artists living and working in Orange County. Curated by Georgette Collard and Jasmine McNeal, the inaugural show features over 130 artworks by more than 100 local artists selected from a pool of 260 submissions. The exhibition includes a diverse range of mediums, from glass sculptures and ceramics to photorealistic paintings of local landmarks, and awarded top honors to artists Ramón Vargas, Jaime “Germs” Zacarias, and Mahta Jafari.
This initiative seeks to address the lack of institutional representation for Orange County artists, who are often overshadowed by the neighboring Los Angeles art market. Modeled after successful regional surveys like the Hammer Museum��s "Made in L.A.," the biennial aims to establish a formal platform for the county's thriving creative hubs and academic institutions. By offering the top three winners a six-week residency and solo exhibition space, the museum is moving beyond simple display to provide long-term career support for local talent.