Committee backs landmark status for two Mission District murals

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on Dec. 11 voted to forward two ordinances that would designate the Carnaval mural at Fourth Street and South Van Ness and the Chata Gutierrez mural as City landmarks.

Madison Tam, representing Supervisor Ronen’s office, and Pilar LaValle of the Planning Department described the murals’ history and the Historic Preservation Commission’s unanimous recommendation. Planning staff noted the Carnaval mural (painted in 1983 by lead artist Danielle Galvez) and the Chata Gutierrez mural (painted in 2015 by Carlos “Cookie” Gonzalez in collaboration with youth artists) meet the local criteria for landmarking based on artistic value and community association.

Muralist Daniel Galvez, who spoke for the Carnaval mural, said he anchored the work in the neighborhood by depicting real people and businesses and that the community embraces the piece. “I put my heart and soul in that mural,” Galvez said. Rodrigo Duran, executive director of Carnaval San Francisco, told the committee the festival draws “over 400,000 people every year” and that the mural reflects decades of Latinx cultural life in the Mission. Multiple advocates, including the San Francisco Latino Historical Society and neighborhood organizations, urged the designation to protect cultural heritage from demolition or obstruction by new development.

The committee approved the motions to send both ordinances to the Board with positive recommendations; the clerk recorded three ayes from the members present. The measures will appear on the Board agenda for further action.