Mission District – Balmy Alley

 Posted by on July 2, 2011
Jul 022011
 
Balmy Alley
Inspired by Huichol Indian Yarn Paintings by Mia Gonzales, Susan Cervantes and Others 1991

This is the beginning of Balmy Avenue.  It is runs between 25th and 24th streets in the Mission District, between Harrison and Treat.  This block long alley is one of several great alleys in San Francisco with a highly concentrated collection of murals. The murals began in the mid-80’s as an outlet for artists’ outrage over human rights and political abuses in Central America. Today the alley contains murals on a myriad of styles and subjects from human rights to local gentrification and Hurricane Katrina. The alley is best viewed on foot.  If you plan ahead, you can get guided tours by Precita Eyes.  The alley is constantly changing so repeat visits are always fun.

Naya Bihana, Painted by Marin Travers of Precita Eyes in 2002
“Una ley immoral nadie tiene que cumplirla,”  “No one must comply with an immoral law.” Romero was “urging us to think for ourselves, to consider what we’re doing. We shouldn’t blindly comply with something we know is not right, Romero fought the military government for the rights of the poor in El Salvador, he was murdered in 1980. But his presence is still felt here with two murals on Balmy Alley.
A Tribute to Archbishop Oscar Romero – 2001
listed as both unknown artist, and attributed to Jamie Morgan
Victorion by Sirron Norris – A Giant Robotic Victorian House
Sirron Norris was born in Cleveland, Ohio and settled down in San Francisco in 1997.  Initially, Sirron worked as a production artist in the video game industry. Sirron received his first artist in residence from the De Young Museum. That year, Sirron’s career propelled into the limelight and today is known as one of San Francisco’s most notable artists.
Sun and the Moon by Frances Valesco
Valesco received her BA from UCLA and her MA from California State University, Long Beach.  She teaches at City College of San Francisco, the San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco State University, and UC Berkeley.
Those We Love, We Remember by Edythe Boone – 1997
Edythe is a 72 year old arts educator.  Another great mural she worked on was the The Women’s Building in the Mission District of San Francisco.
Indigenous Eyes by Susan Kelk Cervantes
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  7 Responses to “Mission District – Balmy Alley”

  1. Kim, USA says:
    July 2, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    I love murals. I could see a lot of emotion to some of them. Happy weekend!

    Colors

  2. Linda Makiej says:
    July 2, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    Really wonderful straight out of the camera shots!! 🙂

  3. Dianne says:
    July 3, 2011 at 2:47 am

    Beautiful vibrant murals!
    “Adelaide and Beyond”

  4. Jan says:
    July 3, 2011 at 3:52 am

    This is so cool. Thank you for the virtual visit.

  5. edenhills says:
    July 3, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    Those murals are wonderful! What a great topic.

  6. Genie -- Paris and Beyond says:
    July 3, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    Your blog is beautiful and although I claim to know SF, you are showing me places I have never seen.

    Bises,
    Genie

  7. Nikki . says:
    July 3, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    Amazing street art. Love the photos. http://nicolettenotebook.blogspot.com/

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