Client: SF Recreation and Parks & Illuminate the Arts

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.