CURRENT PROJECTS
Oceanside Transit Center
Pedestrian Tunnel Public Art Project
MainStreet Oceanside's (MSO) Design Committee is partnering with North County Transit District (NCTD) to manage a public art project at the Oceanside Transit Center (OTC) through the Art that Excites Program. OTC is the main transit hub of North County, connecting NCTD'S COASTER, SPRINTER, and BREEZE Bus with Amtrak and Metrolink trains.
The project area will include the pedestrian entryway into the tunnel (along the stairway and ramps).
NCTD was awarded a $144,000 grant from Clean California Local Grant Program for the public art project. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $231,000.
Thank you for voting. Over 3,500 votes were collected.
Community voting is now closed. The Art that Excites Committee will review the results for a final decision.
Project Area
Title: “Oceanside Odyssey”
by Artist Jon Hamrick declared Community Favorite
The Oceanside Transit Center Pedestrian Tunnel Art Project is officially underway! North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) and MainStreet Oceanside (MSO) collectively gathered more than 3,650 votes, declaring “Oceanside Odyssey” by Jon Hamrick the winner amongst three finalists. The project is set to start by the end of summer 2025.
This partnership between NCTD and MSO to beautify the pedestrian tunnel at the Oceanside Transit Center aims to honor Oceanside’s culture and rich history and transform the pedestrian tunnel into a vibrant space, creating a welcoming environment to enhance the transit experience for riders. Alongside the mural, the project also includes security enhancements such as cameras and speakers to help increase safety for pedestrians.
Hamrick and his team will paint their winning design on the tunnel walls beneath the transit center over the course of approximately 30 days. The tunnel will remain open with temporary signage.
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About the Mural
“Oceanside Odyssey” is an immersive mural experience showcasing Oceanside's native habitat, from the sunset skies to the ocean's depths. The various animals represent the variety of people in Oceanside: local and migrant. Local marine life, including ospreys, dolphins, and whales, adorn the tunnel walls, culminating in a grand display welcoming us to "OCEANSIDE CALIFORNIA."
Artist
“Oceanside Odyssey” invites you to experience the heritage & culture of Oceanside! It’s biodiversity mirrors our team’s diverse cultures of Asian, Black, Middle Eastern, Latin, White and LGBTQ:
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Jon Hamrick, Head of Murals for PB Art District, has painted for celebrities & Wide Open Walls.
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The prolific Hanna Daly, a Licensed Female Contractor, with 20 years experience, married her wife in Oceanside!
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Maxx Moses a historical figure in the world of murals, has painted eight San Diego Transit Centers & gained global recognition for 40 years of inspiring communities from South Africa to South America.
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Paul Jimenez & Signe Ditona skyrocketed to fame overnight after painting Tony Gwyn & Jr Seau. GroundFloor Murals have painted for MrBeast, FazeRug, Padres, Gulls & City of Chula Vista.
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Mike Smallderakht has painted with Salvatore Torres & his work has been displayed in the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
ART THAT EXCITES MURAL LOCATIONS
OCEANSIDE TRANSIT CENTER
Public parking garage at 301 Seagaze Drive
This mural by Jonny Pucci is designed in three distinct yet cohesive sections, embracing the OTC parking structure’s unique facade. It features a Spanish tile-inspired pattern reflecting Southern California’s decorative tile heritage, a school of tuna symbolizing the region’s fishing industry, and a dynamic 30-foot wave capturing the energy of the Pacific. Rooted in local history and culture, this site-specific artwork reflects the artist’s deep connection to San Diego County. This is the fifth mural in the Art that Excites program.
CONEHEAD INVESTMENTS INC.
615 Mission Ave. across from MainStreet Oceanside
"Nautical Neighbors"
Glass mosaic muralist Don Myers partnered with the MainStreet Oceanside Design Committee to install a glass mosaic mural. Depicting a community of local sea life below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, the 16-by-12-foot mural has been installed with glass sponsored and provided by Oceanside Glass & Tile and was dedicated at a Community Mural Unveiling Celebration. The mural completes the first phase of the Art that Excites program.
NORTHERN PINE BREWING
326 N. Horne St.
"Yin Yang Dragons" and "The Sacred Offering"
“Yin Yang Dragons” by professional muralist Gloria Muriel “expresses self-love and strength. It supports women artists.” The black-and-white mural is Muriel’s first North County mural.
Through a collaborative mentoring opportunity with Dinah Poellnitz, Muriel worked with local young artist Isabel Figueroa. “The Sacred Offering,” Figueroa's first mural, is a tribute to the women of Oceanside’s Eastside Pozole Neighborhood.
These intersecting murals located at 326 N. Horne Street embrace Oceanside’s civic identity and art diversity while representing our community’s past, present and future.
STAR THEATRE
402 N. Coast Highway
"The Beauty of the Sea Will Always Be With Me"
The first Oceanside Mural Initiative mural was completed in 2017 by Skye Walker. The mural was selected by the Oceanside community with over 1,500 votes. The public art mural continues to be celebrated by visitors and locals alike. MainStreet Oceanside matched dollar for dollar to make this project a reality.
About Art that Excites
Art that Excites, previously the Oceanside Mural Initiative, seeks to install 10 curated public art projects in Downtown Oceanside. Art that Excites is a community-driven program that will integrate key partners in the Downtown Oceanside area. Through this program, Oceanside will become a destination for public art, create a model by which Oceanside and other communities can fulfill community-driven arts initiatives, act as a medium for education and community outreach, and help to define Oceanside as a community whose identity is built upon and driven by the arts.
Main Street Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, and your donation is tax deductible. For more information about Art that Excites or to inquire about stakeholder and corporate sponsorships, please contact Bobbie Mills at 760-754-4512 or bobbie@mainstreetoceanside.com
About the Oceanside Cultural District
One of California’s first 14 cultural districts and one of only three in San Diego County, The Oceanside Cultural District, located in Downtown Oceanside, was designated by the California Arts Council in 2017. Bounded by The Star Theatre to the north (Sportfisher Drive), the Oceanside Museum of Art to the east (Nevada Street), The Hill Street Country Club gallery to the south (Minnesota Avenue) and the Oceanside Pier to the west, the Oceanside Cultural District, is home to an eclectic, emerging art scene. Along historic Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean, with an iconic pier and amphitheater, you will find a unique destination with an abundance of cultural resources.
Oceanside Museum of Art is a premier regional art museum and a leader of arts and culture. The California Surf Museum connects with nontraditional arts audiences while honoring local surf culture. The historical Sunshine Brooks and Star theaters provide opportunities for all ages and introduce professional theatrical expression to thousands of schoolchildren each year.
Cultural events like the Oceanside Dia de Los Muertos Festival are varied, colorful and celebratory as well as educational, featuring dance, music and food. The district is home to MainStreet Oceanside’s Farmers Market and Sunset Market, San Diego County’s top weekly food and music street fair. Tattoo artists recognize the area’s military historical heritage with much of their work, and Artist Alley provides an interactive experience for all with practicing artists and artisans. Restaurants, wineries and breweries in the district highlight local artists and musicians.