Jonny Pucci, 2024
This mural by Jonny Pucci is designed in three distinct yet cohesive sections, embracing the OTC parking structure’s unique 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.
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 MainStreet Oceanside Art that Excites program.
Jonny 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.
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.
Visitors approaching the mural from the northwest corner 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 incorporates 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 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 communicate the energy and excitement of the Pacific Ocean just a few blocks away,” said Pucci.
Installation of the public façade art project began on October 16, 2024, and was completed ahead of schedule on October 23, 2024 at 301 Seagaze Drive. The Oceanside Transit Center Parking Structure mural was funded and supported by the Oceanside California Cultural District (OCCD), MainStreet Oceanside, and the City of Oceanside Arts Commission.