Robots made from apartment buildings, Latino film stars, angels, cowboys, farm laborers, immigrants, religious icons, and much, much more. The walls of Balmy Alley, in San Francisco’s Mission, have art.
Click above to see Walls Have Art II, my 2nd in a series of street art videos.
This one-block residential thoroughfare has some of the most moving street art in the city. Folk art and professional creations stand side-by-side. From cartoon to photo-realism, vibrant colors and cultural icons cover the walls.
The first murals were painted in 1971 by Maria Galivez and the children from a daycare center in a Balmy Alley apartment. In the ’80s, murals were painted to celebrate Central American cultures and unjust actions committed against many Central American citizens. Some of those murals are still maintained. New paintings have been added. Most of the new murals depict long-time Mission residents being evicted from their homes to make way for the Mission’s gentrification.
Balmy Alley Murals are located between 24th and 25th in Mission District. The murals are painted on houses, garages, and apartments. It is a residential block where residents have made their homes canvases for community art.
The middle of the day is the best time for viewing. A guided tour of the murals is available on Saturday and Sunday. Read more about each mural and artist at mural detail.
When in San Francisco, GO to Balmy Alley for an outdoor gallery like no other.
Thanks for stopping by,
MaryGo