This Saturday, Precita Eyes Muralists, headquartered at 2981 24th Street (near Harrison), will mark 40 years of creating community art.
The Mission-based nonprofit will celebrate with a 40th anniversary gala that includes an art auction, live entertainment, and catering from food incubator La Cocina.
“We didn’t know it would last 40 years," said founder Susan Cervantes, who yesterday received the city's Latino Heritage Legacy Award.
Susan Cervantes receives @sfgov Latino Heritage Legacy award. #LatinoHispanicArtist #HispanicHeritageMonth@HillaryRonen @MCCLA_Mission pic.twitter.com/HL3OSIWkAS
— PrecitaEyesMuralists (@PrecitaEyesLove) September 26, 2017
Precita Eyes started in 1977, when a group of artists—including Margo Bors, Judy Jamerson, Cervantes, and the late Tony Parrinello—signed their first collaborative mural “Precita Eyes Muralists,” which was created for the Leonard R. Flynn Elementary School on Cesar Chavez Street.
Inspired by the work of Mujeres Muralistas, an all-female group of Latina and Chicano artists that pioneered local mural projects in the 1960s and '70s, Cervantes (who was also married to the late artist Luis Cervantes) was inspired to continue the practice and involve the community.
"I used to go and watch them," recalled Cervantes. "It was amazing to see five women on scaffolding painting. When I saw how they respected each other and integrated their designs, I thought that was pretty fantastic."
Cervantes soon had an opportunity to paint with Mujeres Muralistas. "When I was invited to paint by Pacos Tacos with them," she said, "I realized it was something I wanted to take over to Precita."
After seeing more murals crop up, interest continued to grow and commissions started coming in. Today, the organization is just one of a few arts mural organizations in the country.
Community groups and schools contact Precita to create murals, a process that can involve anywhere from 30 to 100 participants. It takes an average of 65 hours for artists to work through an initial concept design, before planning, and executing the actual painting.
Cervantes—who was also involved in painting The Women's Building on 18th Street—described the creation of a mural as "telling a story," with artists and participants ultimately "deciding what that story will be."
From its original location on Precita Avenue, the nonprofit began offering classes in the '70s, then tours of the Mission murals in the '80s while continuing to accept commissions.
An assignment to paint the McDonald's at 24th and Mission was particularly meaningful, said Cervantes. The funds from that installation allowed the group to purchase new space on 24th Street, a move necessitated by an eviction from part of the previous space at Precita Ave.
"We still needed $15,000 at the time," said Cervantes, "and all the money [from that commission] went into purchasing this building [at 24th]. That was a blessing."
Today, the group maintains a small studio space on Precita Ave, in addition to its main visitor center on 24th Street.
When the group’s studio space on Precita Avenue again came under threat of eviction last year, community partners like the Mission Economic District Agency (MEDA) and other members joined efforts to raise funds so the group could ultimately purchase the building.
Now, Precita Eyes maintains both buildings and ensures that rent for its other tenants remains affordable.
The group continues to offer tours, classes, and discounted paint supplies to support the local art community. Private mural tours (by request on weekdays) and public ones (on weekends) attract more than 7,000 people annually.
Last year, the group completed a project called the "Wall of Respect" at Philz Coffee at Folsom and 24th Streets that honors some of the many locals who have contributed to the Mission over the past several decades.
“When you invite [people] to put their hands on it, they understand it is for everybody, not just one community or individual," said Cervantes.
To support Precita Eyes Muralists and attend its upcoming 40th Anniversary gala, purchase tickets here.
