“Art Near BART”
Vacant Storefronts Turned Canvases:

A unique and exciting community public arts project is transforming North Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood. Hines, owners of MacArthur Commons, and the Temescal Arts Community (TACo), an artist-led gathering, have come together in a landmark public/private partnership to activate a vacant commercial space through the power of art.

Hines has opened the ground floor windows of its building at 540 40th Street, just steps from the MacArthur BART station, to fifteen local artists from TACo. Their vibrant and thought-provoking artwork will fill the empty storefront windows, adding creative energy and visual interest to the street.

This project is a triple win:
1. Local artists gain a high-visibility platform for their work in a central and accessible location.
2. Hines enhances the appeal of its commercial property while demonstrating its commitment to community engagement.
3. The Temescal neighborhood gains a new public arts experience that fosters pride, creativity, and connection. “With so many vacant storefronts,” TACo’s Deborah Samia said, “I wish our city could support creative ways to bring life into unused spaces. We felt like we climbed over unnecessary hurdles to make this happen even though it would seem like a no-brainer.”

The reception celebrating this noteworthy accomplishment, called “Art Near BART”2 is scheduled for Saturday, August 23 from 1:00pm to 4pm in the MacArthur Commons Courtyard, 540 40th Street, just East of the MacArthur BART Station. The public is encouraged to stop by and experience the transformation of this commercial space into a temporary public gallery. This collaboration reflects a growing movement to use art as a tool to activate underutilized spaces, celebrate local talent, and foster a sense of belonging and place.