Dozens of Berkeley neighbors spent Friday painting a colorful sanctuary-themed street mural on the 1700 block of Virginia Street.
Artists David Solnit and Jen Bloomer, who live in the neighborhood, designed the mural with direction from the community. Solnit said it celebrates Berkeley’s status as a sanctuary city and is a call to “protect our neighbors.” Images of squash, corn and beans —which are known as the “three sister” plants as they grow better when planted in close proximity than alone — reinforce the idea that community is beneficial. It was created with environmentally friendly paint and will likely be washed away during the next significant rainfall, said Bloomer.
“It’s a day off from school for kids so some of the parents were excited to have a kid-participatory activity,” Solnit added.
Sarah Ranney, who lives nearby, said the local neighborhood group has been getting together more regularly recently, spurred on by a desire to support each other in a challenging political climate. The idea to paint the mural was hatched at one of those meetings.
By around 3 p.m. the mural was largely complete and those who worked collectively to make it happen lay on the street around the painted sections so that neighbor Alok Singhal could put his new drone to use taking aerial footage of the artwork. The mural was finished in time to greet that night’s trick-or-treaters.
Credit: Tracey Taylor/Berkeleyside
Credit: Tracey Taylor/Berkeleyside
Credit: Tracey Taylor/Berkeleyside
Credit: Tracey Taylor/Berkeleyside
Credit: Tracey Taylor/Berkeleyside
The mural seen from the air once it was completed. Credit: Alok Singhal /@alok.x.singhal for Berkeleyside
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Tagged: Central Berkeley, Home: highlight, Home: lead, Murals
Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside, the nonprofit parent to Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Before launching Berkeleyside, Tracey wrote for…
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