murals.jpgA quick post from the road…

Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit the Mission District in San Francisco. This area of the city is well known for its many dramatic and beautiful murals that grace the walls of buildings.

A walk down the famous Balmy Alley (pictured) will bring you face to face with illustrations of history, cultural personalities, and political struggles throughout various periods of time and in regions around the world. Mural painting became a tradition in the area during the 1970s with the increase in Latino population and the Chicano Art Mural Movement which was inspired by famous Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera. The murals here depict themes such as the spread of aids, economic hardships, the joy of freedom and the bounty of the land.

The most impactful part of the murals to me is that the Mission District is a community where people have chosen to communicate their emotional and political views through art for all to see. Whether the onlooker agrees with the position of the work or not, they immediately become connected to the emotion and realness of the issue being expressed. The art itself is an outward expression that adds value to the neighborhood and garners local pride in the artistry and history of its residents.

If you find yourself in the area you should be sure to check it out. You can also sign up for a tour with Precita Eyes. “As an inner city, community-based mural arts organization, Precita Eyes Mural Arts Association seeks to enrich and beautify urban environments and educate communities locally and internationally about the process and the history of public community mural art.”

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