Something Exciting is Coming to Downtown Ontario: “The People’s Storefront” Public Art Arrives Fall 2026

Press Contact: Dan Bell, Communications and Community Relations Director
Phone Number: (909) 395-2400
Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Something Exciting is Coming to Downtown Ontario:  “The People’s Storefront” Public Art Arrives Fall 2026

Visit unique artworks along the Euclid corridor as we celebrate local artists through a new public art initiative in Downtown Ontario’s vibrant Arts District.

ONTARIO, Calif. - The City of Ontario’s Museum, Arts & Culture Department and the Downtown Ontario Improvement Association partnered to bring new temporary public art along the Euclid corridor, invigorating the downtown landscape with unique artworks from local artists. “The People’s Storefront” is a pilot initiative, formed to create opportunities for local artists, help local businesses gain visitors, increase civic pride and invite people to spend more time in Downtown Ontario.

New art will be installed at five locations throughout Euclid Avenue, transforming vacant storefronts into vibrant canvases for local artists that visitors can tour, take photos of, and enjoy as they walk through Downtown Ontario. The artworks are made from vinyl and installed on the front facing windows of vacant buildings. Each window will feature artwork by a different artist, highlighting various media and artistic styles, reflecting the diversity of expression happening in the Southern California arts scene. 

Selected artists contributed unique artworks that reflect a wide range of subject matter from Ontario’s rich history to its present arts, culture, and community. 

• Ontario-based photographer Michael Graves commemorates regional SoCal history through nostalgic photo landscapes of Route 66.
• Painter Manuel LeGaspe, lives in Fontana, honors Ontario’s science and agricultural legacy through paintings of citrus groves, science exploration, and aviation.
• Pomona visual artist Cheyne Ellett offers a whimsical interpretation of the Art Deco era during which Granada Theatre was built, paired with imagery of the famous bandstand on the Euclid Avenue median. 
• Los Angeles muralist and artist Daisuke Okamoto focuses on vibrant regional flora and fauna, spotlighting the City flower, the Armstrong rose, and the swallowtail butterflies common to the area.
• Los Angeles painter Paul Juno captures the rich textures of colorful oil paint through close-up views of his palette.

“The mission of the City’s newly established public art program is to integrate art into Ontario’s daily life, strengthen opportunities for artists, and contribute to a resilient and prosperous creative economy,” said Marissa Kucheck, Director of Museum, Arts & Culture for the City of Ontario. “The People’s Storefront reimagines building facades as sites for public art experiences that invite residents and visitors to see and engage with art in their everyday surroundings.”

“This project is about honoring Downtown’s history while creating new opportunities for artists and businesses to collaborate in meaningful ways,” said Ish Arias, Downtown Improvement Association Executive Director. “Public art has the power to transform everyday spaces into experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage exploration, and foster civic pride.”

The project title pays tribute to the City’s historic “People’s Store” founded in 1888 by Hickman “Mike” Phillips. The store became the city’s largest mercantile establishment and a beloved downtown destination rooted in supporting local businesses and community connection. Inspired by this legacy, “The People’s Storefront”, reimagines storefronts as spaces for community expression, creativity, and cultural engagement. 

The colorful installations will be available for public viewing beginning early October. A community unveiling will occur on Saturday, November 21, followed by a walking tour with participating artists, who will share insights into their creative processes. Community members are encouraged to celebrate by touring the installations during the quarterly Ontario Art Walk on Saturday, November 21, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

This temporary art program is hosted by the Downtown Ontario Improvement Association and supported by the City of Ontario’s Museum, Arts & Culture Department. 

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Additional Information
The City of Ontario’s Department of Museum, Arts & Culture advances an understanding of regional history and art through museum exhibits, collections stewardship, educational programs, annual arts festivals, and public art. The Ontario Museum of History & Art was founded in 1979 and is located on tree-lined Euclid Avenue in a historic building that originally served as Ontario’s second City Hall. In 2022 Ontario’s City Council established the Public Art Program and the Museum department was expanded to encompass Museum, Arts & Culture. The department’s programs enhance knowledge and understanding of our community through dynamic and vibrant experiences that reflect pride in who we are, where we live, and our legacy. In 2023, the Museum achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums.

For more information call (909) 395-2510, email museuminfo@ontarioca.gov, visit OntarioMuseum.org or follow @OntarioMuseum_ArtsCulture on Instagram.

About The Downtown Ontario Improvement Association 
The Downtown Ontario Improvement Association is a public benefit corporation whose primary function is to administer the Downtown Ontario Community Benefit Improvement District. Our goal is to keep Downtown Ontario clean, safe, and family-friendly, while also maximizing community benefit for business owners, property owners, and residents of the area. We plan to beautify the area, improve its functionality, and create a positive space in the city. For more information visit DowntownOntario.org, call (909) 706-7877 or follow @DowntownOntario.DOIA on Instagram.

About the City of Ontario
The City of Ontario is enhancing the quality-of-life by creating urban lifestyle districts that create sustainable places to live, work and play.  Located just east of Los Angeles and Orange counties, the City of Ontario is ideally situated as a gateway to Southern California. With major freeways, rail transportation and an International Airport, Ontario invites the rest of the world to be a part of a culturally diverse community with rich history that is well positioned for quality development and economic sustainability for its residents. Complementing its business and residential core, Ontario offers premium entertainment venues such as the Ontario Convention Center, Toyota Arena, ONT Field and Ontario Mills. To learn more about the City of Ontario, visit OntarioCA.gov  or call (909) 395-2000.