Photos by Rink
When the historic Hope for the World Cure mural was revealed in 1998, it was widely praised for its theme in finding a cure for HIV/AIDS, for honoring artists who worked on the mural who had HIV/AIDS, and for how it brightened the backside of the now-closed Bagdad Café at 16th and Market Streets. During the course of a number of years, however, the mural was the victim of repeated graffiti tagging and other damage, including a fire that ignited in an adjacent space. The damage in 2021 was particularly bad, with much of the mural defaced.
A GoFundMe campaign along with support from the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District, Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, and other community leaders allowed for restoration work. A leader in the effort has been Susan Cervantes, the Founder and Executive Director of Precita Eye Muralists.
Artist Deidre Weinberg from the Hunters Point Shipyard Artists community was one of those who worked on the restoration for three months, beginning in June 2022. In addition to professional artists like Weinberg, volunteers aided in the effort.
Check out the results here and in person, and view additional images of the acrylic on brick mural at:
Published on August 25, 2022
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