Welcome to our 2025 Q1 newsletter! As we are well into the new year, we have some exciting updates and opportunities to share. Discover the latest progress in our projects and get ready for upcoming events aimed at building a stronger, more connected community. There's plenty to explore and enjoy this upcoming month—dive in to see what's new!
HERE ARE SOME THINGS WE DID
Transforming Strawberry Village: A Collaboration with Edens
We’re thrilled to announce our second project collaboration with Edens, bringing more stunning public art to Strawberry Village! This initiative celebrates creativity, color, and community by featuring murals from three incredibly talented artists, each transforming the shopping center into a vibrant outdoor gallery.
Meet the Artists Behind the Murals
🌸 Nora Bruhn [@konorebi]Nora’s ethereal, nature-inspired designs bring a sense of flow and tranquility to Strawberry Village. Her work seamlessly blends organic forms with soft gradients, inviting visitors into a dreamlike visual experience.
💎 Nicole Mueller [@nicolemariemueller]Nicole’s bold, abstract compositions fill the space with movement and energy. Her expressive use of color and layering techniques create depth and vibrancy, turning walls into dynamic canvases.
🌈 Erin Fong [@erinlovescolors]Erin’s joyful approach to color theory transforms spaces into uplifting experiences. Her work radiates positivity, bringing bright hues and playful patterns that make every visit to Strawberry Village a little more magical.
A Creative Partnership
This project marks our second collaboration with Edens, a team dedicated to enhancing community spaces through art and cultural engagement. By supporting public art, we’re helping to make Strawberry Village not just a shopping destination, but an inspiring place to gather, connect, and celebrate creativity.
Be sure to stop by, explore the murals, and share your experience on instagram and tag @abgprojects and all the artists. We can’t wait to see how these vibrant artworks bring new life to the space!
NBA All-Star Weekend, San Francisco Chinatown Mural x BAMP
Sorell Tsui, aka Xiao Rui artist for the mural celebrating the Lunar New Year and the NBA All-Star 2025 at 736 Washington St. in Chinatown, San Francisco on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.
In the heart of Chinatown, artist Tsui overcame incredible odds to complete a monumental mural blending Chinese American heritage with basketball culture. Originally commissioned by Chase Center and the NBA, the project faced last-minute hurdles when the original site fell through, forcing organizers to secure a new location on a Chinese herb store wall near Portsmouth Square.
With just a week to complete a piece that would normally take a month—amid rain delays and a relentless schedule—Tsui and his team pushed through. After three 12-hour days and one grueling 16-hour session, the mural was finished just in time.
Despite the challenges, Tsui calls it a labor of love. "To have a large piece like this in the heart of Chinatown is really special for me," he said, his voice hoarse from the grind. He hopes the mural will stand for at least five years, serving as a tribute to resilience, community, and the unifying power of art and sport.
This kind of artistic perseverance is what BAMP of Oakland champions—elevating public art and culture across the Bay Area. Like Tsui, BAMP artists push creative boundaries, transforming urban spaces into visual narratives that reflect history, identity, and passion.
Stay tuned for more collaborations and events that celebrate the intersection of art, community, and cultural storytelling.
Exploring Oakland Through Art: A New Mural by The Artist Elliot at The Lark Uptown
Oakland is a city rich with culture, history, and an ever-evolving artistic identity. As part of our five-part art package for The Lark Uptown, we’re thrilled to unveil the latest addition: a stunning still-life mural by The Artist Elliot—a vibrant collage celebrating the essence of Oakland.
A Mural Full of Oakland Stories
Located at 2359 Harrison, this mural isn’t just a visual treat—it’s an intricate storytelling piece woven with Easter eggs that capture the heart and soul of the city. Every layer, texture, and color in this artwork reflects the energy of Oakland—its resilience, creativity, and deep-rooted community spirit.
Whether you’re an art lover, a local, or just passing through Uptown, we invite you to experience this mural in person. See if you can spot the hidden details—from iconic landmarks to subtle nods to Oakland’s past and present.
This project is part of a larger effort to bring public art to The Lark Uptown, transforming spaces with bold, thought-provoking works that engage and inspire.
Go See It for Yourself!
📍 Location: 2359 Harrison, Oakland, CA📷 Tag us when you visit! We’d love to see your favorite details—share your photos and thoughts on Instagram.
Rotten City Cultural District: A New Hub for Art, Culture, and Community
ABG Art Group was chosen to produce the Rotten City Cultural District for the City of Emeryville. Emeryville has long been a city of transformation—evolving from its industrial roots into a dynamic hub for creativity and innovation. At the heart of this evolution is the Rotten City Cultural District (RCCD), an initiative dedicated to fostering public art, cultural programming, and community engagement.
Why "Rotten City"? A Nod to History
The name Rotten City is a reclaimed badge of honor. Once described as a haven for gambling, speakeasies, and other underground activities in the early 20th century, Emeryville has since transformed into a thriving, creative enclave. The Rotten City Cultural District pays homage to this gritty, rebellious past while celebrating the vibrant, artistic present that defines the city today.
Building a Cultural Destination
The Rotten City Cultural District is more than just a geographic area—it’s a movement to support local artists, create public art experiences, and bring the community together through cultural programming. Our vision is to establish Emeryville as a premier destination for creative expression, where art is not confined to galleries but integrated into the very fabric of the city.
What’s Happening at RCCD?
The district is bringing year-round arts programming, including:
🎨 Public Art Installations – From murals to sculptures, RCCD is committed to turning Emeryville’s streets into an open-air gallery featuring both emerging and established artists.
🎭 Community Events & Festivals – Monthly events, art walks, and large-scale marquee events will activate the district, providing residents and visitors with opportunities to experience art in new and unexpected ways.
🎶 Live Performances & Pop-Up Experiences – Music, dance, and theater performances will be integrated into the district’s programming, ensuring a multi-disciplinary approach to cultural engagement.
🤝 Collaborations with Local Businesses & Organizations – RCCD is building strong partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits, and cultural institutions to create a sustainable and inclusive arts ecosystem.
The Future of RCCD
As RCCD grows, so does its impact. The district is not just about creating beautiful spaces—it’s about fostering a sense of belonging, pride, and cultural identity within Emeryville. By investing in the arts, we are investing in the future of the city, creating a place where artists, residents, and visitors alike can experience the power of creativity in everyday life.
Get Involved
The Rotten City Cultural District is for the community, by the community—and we invite you to be a part of it! Whether you’re an artist looking to showcase your work, a local business interested in partnering, or a resident passionate about supporting the arts, there are many ways to engage.
🌎 Learn more & stay updated: RottenCityCulturalDistrict.com
📷 Follow us on Instagram: @RottenCityCulturalDistrict
Join us as we build a bold, creative future for Emeryville!
Announcing the 2025 RCCD Residency Program!
We are excited to introduce the 2025 Rotten City Cultural District (RCCD) Residency Recipients! This year’s talented lineup of artists will bring their creativity to Emeryville, showcasing their unique artistic voices and engaging the community through exhibitions, workshops, and live activations. Our first showcase, features Eugene Tssui.
Eugene Tssui is an American architect noted for his use of ecological principles and "biologic" design, a term coined by Tssui himself in the 2010 issue of World Architecture. Come check out his Opening e Reception on Saturday, March 8th 6:00pm at the RCCD HQ at Bay Street Emeryville.
A Look Back at the Emeryville Film Festival
The inaugural Emeryville Film Festival was an incredible success, bringing together filmmakers, storytellers, and our vibrant community for a day of thought-provoking cinema and meaningful conversations. If you joined us—thank you for making this event so special! If you missed it, we hope to see you next year!
We are grateful to our partners who helped bring this festival to life: The City of Emeryville, AMC Theatres, and Bay Street Emeryville. A special thank you to our curators—Blake Bauman, Ricke Tejada, Isabella Miller, Jess Alvarenga, Sean Johnson, and Theresa Fortune—for shaping such a compelling lineup of films.
🎬 A Huge Thank You to Our VolunteersThis festival wouldn’t have run as smoothly without the incredible help of our volunteers, Cole Sexton and Joel Franco. Your dedication and hard work were invaluable in making the event a success—thank you!
📸 Festival Photos Now Available! Relive the moments and see highlights from the festival in our photo gallery by amazing photographers Nick Beymer LINK and Adam Dexter LINK Feel free to download and share your favorites, tag your friends, RCCDEmeryville, the Film Makers, Curators and photographers!
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We can’t wait to bring more films, conversations, and experiences to Emeryville!
Welcome to Our Artist Co-Working Space: Guild 1308
For years, our vision has been to create more than just a studio and production space—we wanted to build an artist resource hub that fosters creativity, collaboration, and career growth. A space that provides access to workspaces, professional development, creative direction, and new opportunities for artists.
It’s happening.
With the help of Weinstein Local, we’ve brought this vision to life, shaping a space where artists, makers, and innovators can connect, create, and thrive together. And now, with an incredible team of partners helping to anchor this community, we’re ready to open our doors.
Meet the Community
This space is already alive with creative energy, thanks to the amazing artists and organizations calling it home:
🎨 @wolfepack_studios has expanded into the space, bringing the same passion and energy that Rachel Wolfe and her team cultivated in their previous studio.
🎤 @kinglangbang will be hosting comedy nights while continuing to build his entertainment empire, alongside @negusinnature by day.
🦷 @goldteethgallery is now taking appointments for those looking to elevate their style with one-of-a-kind gold teeth designs.
🌿 @bayarearedwood has transformed the entire space into a sustainably sourced showroom, showcasing their beautifully crafted wood pieces.
📚 @theguild1308 will continue hosting artist development workshops, with a focus on professional growth and community partnerships, working closely with cultural movers and shakers.
Why You Want to Be Here
This space isn’t just about renting a desk—it’s about being part of something bigger. It’s a home for Oakland-based creatives looking for a space to work, network, and take their careers to the next level.
If you’re an artist, producer, designer, filmmaker, or creative entrepreneur looking for a place to build, collaborate, and grow, this is where you want to be.
Stay tuned for upcoming events, workshops, and opportunities to get involved. The doors are open—come create with us.
OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Mural Artists: Lafayette Downtown Mural Program
Are you a mural artist looking for an opportunity to make a lasting impact on a thriving downtown community? The Lafayette Downtown Mural Program, in collaboration with ABG Art Group, is seeking talented artists to contribute to a four-year public art initiative that will transform the heart of Lafayette.
About the Lafayette Downtown Mural Program
Approved by the Lafayette City Council in June 2023, this multi-year project will bring four large-scale outdoor murals to the city’s business district, fostering a vibrant, creative atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. The program is led by the Lafayette Public Art Committee, in partnership with ABG Art Group, and is designed to include comprehensive community input in the selection and approval process of each mural.
Murals have the power to:🎨 Inspire and captivate through artistic expression🏙️ Enhance the vibrancy of Lafayette’s downtown❤️ Foster a sense of pride and belonging within the community👥 Create opportunities for shared artistic experiences
Mural Themes & Artist Selection Process
To guide the vision of the program, the City Council has approved four broad thematic categories for murals:🌿 Landscape🌀 Abstract🌺 Botanical📜 Historical Representation
Once a mural location is selected, ABG Art Group and the Lafayette Public Art Committee will invite pre-qualified local and regional artists to submit proposals. Artists will develop their designs based on the approved themes and property owner’s statement of interest.
🖌️ Key Process Highlights:
Artists will be selected from a vetted list curated by the Public Art Committee.
A stipend will be provided to artists who are invited to submit design proposals.
Public input will be gathered before final selections are made.
The property owner will have the right of refusal for final mural designs.
Approved artwork will be submitted to the City Council for final approval.
The Public Art Committee and ABG Art Group will oversee permitting, logistics, and mural production.
Each mural will be maintained for a minimum of 10 years, with the potential for five-year renewals. Property owners also have flexibility in case of sale or major renovations.
How to Apply
Interested muralists are encouraged to apply now by filling out the Lafayette Artists Form at:👉 https://www.abgartgroup.com/opportunities
Additional details and project updates will be available soon!
📢 Want to Learn More?For frequently asked questions and program details, visit:🔗 Lafayette Public Art Committee Mural Page
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the artistic landscape of downtown Lafayette—apply today and be part of this transformative public art initiative!
Thank you for being part of our creative community! Stay tuned for more updates, artist highlights, and exciting projects in the coming months.
Visit our website to learn more: abgartgroup.com and follow us on Instagram @abgprojects.
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