ABG in June
- Erica Enriquez
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
Spring is out and Summer is here, and so is a new season of creativity, collaboration, and community. This past month, we're celebrating fresh projects, exciting partnerships, and the artists who continue to inspire us.
Here’s what we’ve been up to—and what’s ahead.
HERE ARE SOME THINGS WE DID
New Public Art at 1510 Webster Street
We’re thrilled to share the completion of two new public art installations at 1510 Webster Street in Downtown Oakland, created by artists Shido and Isadora Gullov-Singh. Both artists participated in the City of Oakland’s Cultural Strategist in Government (CSIG) workshop—an 8-month program championed by the City to elevate local artists into the public art sector.
Traditionally painters, Shido and Isadora used this opportunity to push their practices into new territory, creating their first three-dimensional works: a striking metal wall piece by Shido and a dynamic, multi-dimensional wood installation by Isadora. The CSIG workshop not only demystified the public art process but also opened doors for artists to realize their work beyond the canvas. These permanent installations stand as a powerful testament to the City's investment in artist development—and the incredible creativity that emerges when artists are given the tools, guidance, and belief to dream bigger.
Honoring an Oakland Legend Through Art
We’re thrilled to share the completion of a powerful new mural honoring the legendary baseball icon and Oakland native, Rickey Henderson. Painted by the incredibly talented Kalani Ware, this tribute piece was completed over the course of nearly two weeks and now stands as a bold and beautiful reminder of Henderson’s impact on the game—and on Oakland.
This project was made possible through a continued partnership with the Oakland Ballers, and we’re proud to have collaborated with them once again to bring meaningful public art to the community.
The mural, painted at ABG's Creative Co-working Space, "Space 1308". It now lives as a vibrant piece of Oakland culture, created for the fans, the family, and the city that helped shape a legend. Projects like this showcase the power of art to tell stories, build community, and honor legacy.
San Leandro Utility Box Project Complete!
We’re excited to share that the latest phase of San Leandro’s Utility Box Art Program—launched in January 2023—is now officially complete, just in time to celebrate the city’s Sesquicentennial (150th anniversary)!
This round featured six incredible Bay Area artists: John Patrick Thomas, Ashley Cousin, Casey Rickey, Gregory Thomas, Chonto, and Yi Zhong. Each artist was commissioned to create artwork centered around themes like Industry & Manufacturing, Historic Buildings, and Cultural Diversity, reflecting San Leandro’s unique history and identity.
The artwork now enlivens utility boxes across the city:
John Patrick Thomas – Fairway/Garfield (2 boxes, Paint)
Ashley Cousin – Westgate Parkway (2 boxes, Paint)
Casey Rickey – Estudillo Plaza (Tree) (3 boxes, Wrap)
Gregory Thomas – Bancroft/Sybil (2 boxes, Paint)
Chonto – Hesperian/Thornally (2 boxes, Paint)
Yi Zhong – SLB/St. Leander Gym (2 boxes, Paint)
Each piece was either hand-painted on-site or installed as a vinyl wrap
Since 2013, ABG Art Group has proudly partnered with the City of San Leandro to administer art calls like this one—bringing public art to everyday spaces and offering opportunities for local artists to shape the city’s visual culture.
Space 1308
JUKE JOINT at 1308 – A Night to Remember
On June 20, Wolfepack brought the house down with Juke Joint—a brass and blues-inspired celebration that transformed 1308 into a pulsing, soulful throwback. Featuring some of the Bay Area’s finest talent in live music, poetry, dance, and DJ sets, the night was a nonstop flow of performances that had the crowd on their feet from start to finish. Everyone came dressed in theme, adding to the immersive, speakeasy-style vibe. It was one of the biggest and most electric nights we’ve hosted at 1308—and proof that when community and culture collide, magic happens. Major props to Wolfepack for curating an unforgettable night!
Holy Ground Comedy – Bay Laughter, Big Energy
Holy Ground Comedy lit up the space with a powerhouse lineup of the Bay’s funniest comedians. It was standing room only as the crowd packed into 1308 for a night of sharp wit, honest stories, and non-stop laughter. From up-and-coming voices to seasoned pros, the talent onstage delivered a night that felt both intimate and electric. This isn’t just a comedy show—it’s quickly becoming a staple in the local scene. We’re still buzzing from the energy and can’t wait to welcome everyone back next month for another night of joy, jokes, and some of the Bay’s best.
1308 first GAME NIGHT 7/31/2025
ABG Art Group is hosting game night at Space 1308, featuring games by local gamemakers: Unwind, laugh, and create with Wabi Blobi, a recent Kickstarter “Project We Love” Chill out with the Anti-Anxiety Card Game *Name the next big thing with Brand Name from Oakland-based creative studio, Relatable Content Food + drink, fun + games, you + the crew — it's your move ✌️
Rotten City Culutral District
RCCD Artist Residency: Fernanda Martínez – August 2025
We’re thrilled to host visual artist Fernanda Martínez as our August Artist-in-Residence at RCCD. Fernanda, the creative force behind La Tinta, is known for her vibrant, nature-inspired abstract work that explores the connection between the internal and external world. During her residency, she will experiment with upcycled materials to bring her art practice into a new dimension—creating large-scale, 3D sculptural interpretations of her organic forms. Rooted in intuition and bold use of color, Fernanda’s work invites viewers into an expressive, botanical universe that celebrates growth, resilience, and transformation.
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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