OCEANSIDE, CA (SEPTEMBER 19, 2024) — MainStreet Oceanside is thrilled to announce the upcoming installation of a new public façade art project by San Diego-based artist Jonny Pucci at the Oceanside Transit Center Parking Structure. Pucci’s design was selected by the public as a part of MainStreet Oceanside’s Art that Excites program, which aims to install up to 10 murals in public spaces throughout downtown Oceanside in collaboration with the Oceanside California Cultural District and the City of Oceanside Arts Commission. Scheduled to begin on October 14, the mural will welcome visitors with an ode to Oceanside’s unique coastal charm and historical roots.
“We are so excited to have Jonny Pucci bring his winning design to life on the exterior of the Oceanside Transit Center Parking Structure,” said Gumaro Escarcega, CEO of MainStreet Oceanside. “Jonny’s design reflects both the cultural heritage and natural beauty of our city, and this mural will serve as a welcoming landmark for residents and visitors arriving by public transit and car.”
Jonny Pucci is a San Diego-based multi-disciplinary artist known for his colorful and dynamic murals that blend elements of social commentary with community history. His artistic repertoire includes portraiture, ink on paper, and even custom-painted bicycles. With murals in Little Italy, North Park, and South Park in San Diego, as well projects across California and in Italy, Pucci brings a wealth of experience and a distinctive Southern California aesthetic to his work. This will be his first mural in North County, San Diego.
The mural at the Oceanside Transit Center Parking Structure is thoughtfully divided into three distinct yet interconnected parts, designed to harmonize with the building’s unique, multi-shaped facade. “In my mural practice, I always strive to create images that are thoughtful and site-specific by referencing the history and culture of the place and its people,” Pucci emphasizes.
Visitors approaching the mural from the northwest corner will first encounter a pattern reminiscent of Spanish tile, a nod to the region’s architectural heritage. The design draws inspiration from the original tiles at Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego and will incorporate patterns from the original Oceanside train station built in 1946.
As the mural progresses along the exterior staircase, a school of tuna follows the visual line created by the staircase, paying homage to Oceanside’s harbor. “The symbolism of these powerful fish will act as a visual reminder of the region’s fishing history,” Pucci notes. The schooling fish appear to take flight towards the upper deck of the parking structure, creating a dynamic sense of movement.
At the far end of the building’s facade, facing the ocean, pedestrians and drivers will find themselves beneath the lip of a massive 30-foot wave, painted with flowing strokes to capture the excitement and energy of the nearby Pacific Ocean. “The loose and energetic paint strokes of the massive wave will communicate the energy and excitement of the Pacific Ocean just a few blocks away,” said Pucci.
Installation of the public façade art project will begin on October 14, 2024, and is expected to be completed by October 31, 2024, at 301 Seagaze Drive. The Oceanside Transit Center Parking Structure mural is funded and supported by the Oceanside California Cultural District (OCCD), MainStreet Oceanside, and the City of Oceanside Arts Commission. Upon its completion, the mural will serve as a new cultural landmark for both residents and visitors, enriching Oceanside’s vibrant art scene and celebrating its rich history and coastal beauty.
For more information, visit https://www.mainstreetoceanside.com/artthatexcites
About MainStreet Oceanside
Established as a nonprofit corporation in 2000, MainStreet Oceanside is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and sustainable Downtown Oceanside. Initially organized in the early 1990s as the Downtown Business Association, it evolved into a certified California Main Street community. The organization supports economic development through historic preservation, unique attractions, and community events. MainStreet Oceanside generates its funds from operations like the Farmers Market and Sunset Market, supplemented by memberships, sponsorships, and grants. Guided by the Four Point Approach—Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring—MainStreet Oceanside promotes a pedestrian-friendly community with a mix of daytime and evening activities for both residents and visitors. For more information, visit https://www.mainstreetoceanside.com/
