Client: SF Recreation and Parks & Illuminate the Arts
Location: San Francisco, CA, United States
Completion date: 2022
Project Team
Organizer
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department
Organizer
Ben Davis
Illuminate the Arts
Curator + Producer
Shannon Riley
Building 180 + Paint the Void
Community Manager
Atlix Pacheco
Building 180 + Paint the Void + Artist
Mural Contributor
American Indian Cultural District
Organizer
David Hatfield
Illuminate the Arts
Organizer
Patricia Suflita Wilson
Illuminate the Arts
Muralist
Addendum24
Bella Donna Artiste
Muralist
LE BohemianMuse
Bella Donna Artiste
Muralist
Strider Patton
Muralist
Nicole Hayden
Muralist
Matley Hurd
Muralist
Max Ehrman
Muralist
Josue Rojas
Muralist
Rachel Znerold
Muralist
Seibot
Muralist
Lady Henze
Muralist
ChiChai
Muralist
The Association of Ramaytush Ohlone, Jonathan Cordero, Ph.D.
Overview
In the fall of 2022 Building 180 and Paint the Void played an integral part in curating and producing murals for The Golden Mile Project. The Golden Mile Project, located in the heart of San Francisco’s majestic Golden Gate Park, is a 1.5-mile stretch of road that has been transformed into an urban oasis bursting with art, music, and joy. Previously one of San Francisco’s most dangerous roads for pedestrians and bikers, the community now has a safe place to gather and view art. The road enjoyed a complete transformation over three months beginning in the fall of 2022. More than a dozen massive murals are painted directly upon the former roadway.Goals
This extraordinary transformation, funded through private philanthropy, served to reveal the promise of this former road, turned urban oasis. It is credited with motivating San Francisco voters to overwhelmingly pass Proposition J in November 2022, which permanently closed a section of the road (JFK Drive) to vehicles.
Process
With San Francisco-based arts nonprofit Illuminate leading the way in partnership with SF Rec Park, the road enjoyed a complete transformation over three months beginning in the fall of 2022. More than a dozen massive murals are painted directly upon the former roadway, large-scale sculpture installations adorn the mile as creative totems to community solidarity, two grand pianos sit ready for open play, live music permeates the air from two different stages, a beautifully restored vintage caravan pours locally roasted coffee, circus performers emerge and vanish again as organically as the naturally occurring elements, a storyboard walk educates minds young and old on the history of the park, children’s games can be found in plain sight.
Additional Information
This project played a pivotal role in reshaping legislation and transforming the way the community engages with a public space. It effectively utilized public art as a catalyst for positive change, significantly benefiting the city.