ABG in April
- Erica Enriquez
- Apr 29
- 7 min read
Updated: May 6
Welcome to this month’s edition of the ABG Art Group newsletter! We’re excited to share the latest updates from our artists, projects, and creative collaborations. From vibrant public art installations to upcoming exhibitions and community-driven initiatives, our work continues to be fueled by connection, culture, and creativity. Dive in to see what’s blooming this season and how we’re building moments of beauty and meaning—one project at a time.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS WE DID
San Leandro 14th & Callan Project Comes to Life
We’re thrilled to celebrate the completion of the Callan project in San Leandro—a vibrant new mural at the corner of 14th & Callan, created in collaboration with artist Jet Martinez and our client, Martin Group. This project has been years in the making, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see it come to life in such a bold and beautiful way. Over the course of a month, Jet and team transformed the site into a striking visual landmark that reflects both the spirit of the neighborhood and his signature floral style rooted in Mexican folk art. Big thanks to Martin Group for trusting our vision and helping bring color, culture, and creativity to the community.
SOMETHING WE ARE WORKING ON
1510 Webster Public Art Project in Oakland
We’re excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at our latest collaboration with 1510 Webster Project, a new residential housing build in Downtown Oakland, fulfilling the city’s 1% public art requirement. This project features original work by two incredible local artists—Shido, representing Oakland, and Isadora Gullov-Singh, representing Berkeley—whose distinct voices bring powerful creative energy to this evolving space. Currently in the design, fabrication, and production planning phase, the artworks are being thoughtfully integrated into the development to reflect the cultural richness of the community. Scroll through for a first look at progress photos and renderings that showcase what’s to come!
OUR COMMUNITY DOING COOL THINGS
Happy 1 Year Anniversary to 3319 Marche!!!
Founded in 2024, 3319 Marche offers a fresh take on the contemporary retail experience—where fashion, art, and culture collide. Located in the heart of Oakland’s Lakeshore district, this dynamic space blends curated vintage finds with modern streetwear, while also serving as a platform for emerging artists, musicians, and DJs. Designed and installed by ABG Projects, the space itself is a reflection of creative vision—an immersive, ever-evolving environment that feels both curated and lived-in.
In just one year, 3319 Marche has become a signature collision of all things cool in Oakland, where street style meets fine art, underground music alongside curated racks, and every visit offers something unexpected. With its steady stream of community-driven events, bold collaborations, and a deep commitment to elevating local voices, it continues to shape—and be shaped by—the cultural heartbeat of the city. This is more than a store; it's a movement in the making.
3319 Lakeshore Ave
Oakland, CA 94610
Film Screening of "Who is Micheal Jang?"
Last week the new HQ of Roast and Post— known for their top-tier work in color, sound, and creative finishing for Disney, Netflix, HBO, and many others, created the perfect atmosphere for this cultural moment. This creative post-production studio tucked into a converted warehouse next to Emeryville City Hall—hosted an intimate screening of Who Is Michael Jang?, a compelling documentary about one of San Francisco’s most enigmatic photographers. Shot by local talent, Emeryville based cinematographer Tyler McPherron, the film follows Michael Jang’s decades of overlooked street and portrait photography and his powerful return to public art during the pandemic through wheat-pasted installations across San Francisco.
Capturing Jang in action was no ordinary assignment—McPherron had to stay constantly on his toes, keeping pace with the artist’s spontaneous and often unpredictable creative process. Tyler was always ready to spring into action, documenting Jang’s guerilla-style wheat-pasting missions with urgency, curiosity, and empathy. The result is a film that feels alive and unfiltered—mirroring the energy of its subject.
Set against this dynamic and purpose-built space, the screening brought together a cross-section of artists, creatives, and neighbors to reflect on Jang’s exploration of identity, family, and resilience. The film resonated deeply as both a personal excavation and a public act of art, memory, and protest—made all the more powerful by the collaborative spirit of the space it was shown in.
Photos courtesy of : Rachel Valdivia, Dean Snodgrass and Tyler McPherron
🌙 Dream State: Exploring the Legacy and Fragility of Dreams
Dream State lead by Spencer Tsang is a collaborative impact project that delves into a powerful and deeply human question: how are dreams shaped across generations? Through art, immersive exhibitions, site-specific installations, film screenings, and dynamic artist programs, Dream State invites audiences into spaces of reflection, storytelling, and connection.
The work brings together intergenerational voices to examine how aspirations are inherited, reimagined, and sometimes abandoned in the face of shifting cultural, political, and personal landscapes. As we look ahead to the upcoming flagship exhibition at the Asian Art Museum on June 1, 2025, the event lends toward an even more intimate inquiry: what do we do when our dreams begin to fall apart?
This moment marks both a celebration and a reckoning—a call to examine not only the hopes we carry but how we rebuild when those hopes are challenged.
Guild 1308 has hosting the workshops, gatherings, and creative sessions. This space has become a vital hub where artists, storytellers, and community members come together to build, break, and reimagine what dreaming looks like—together.
The Guild 1308 featured: Figure Drawing and Holy Ground Comedy
Earlier this month, our artistic co-working space, Guild 1308, came alive with two vibrant community events led by our anchor tenants. Rachel Wolfe of Wolfepack Studios hosted a figure drawing workshop with a live model, creating a warm and focused environment for artists to sharpen their skills and connect through the practice of observational drawing. Charcoal-covered hands and expressive sketches filled the room as participants explored the human form, line, and shadow in real time.
Meanwhile, Langston returned with another packed edition of Holy Ground, the beloved monthly comedy night that continues to build community through laughter, storytelling, and bold performances. From quiet study to uproarious applause, Guild 1308 remains a space where creativity takes many forms—and everyone is invited to join in.
RCCD Artist Residency - April
Thank You for Celebrating Robert Ortbal’s April Residency
We’re filled with gratitude to everyone who supported and took part in Robert Ortbal’s April Artist Residency—an unforgettable month that invited us deep into a world of wonder, curiosity, and playful surrealism. Robert’s work continually blurs the boundary between the imagined and the unimaginable, and this residency was no exception.
Throughout April, Robert transformed our space into a living studio of experimentation and storytelling. His residency culminated in a spectacular artist procession and parade—an immersive, public art performance that embodied his fantastical universe. The event featured an array of miniature Samaritan sculptures, hand-crafted in delicate detail, as well as elaborate costume designs and a series of expressive masks, including a fleet of oversized bunny heads. A dazzling, bedazzled alligator, a stoic dog head, and other imaginative creatures brought delight and curiosity to all who encountered them.
This celebration was a testament to the joy of artistic exploration and communal creativity. We are deeply thankful to Robert for sharing his process, and to all the volunteers, collaborators, and attendees who helped bring this parade of dreams to life.
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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