Work Begins (and Artists Wanted) for New Bernal Library Mural

If you visited Cortland Street this weekend, you might have noticed the new scaffolding that surrounds the Bernal Heights Branch Library. The remuraling of the library is now set to get underway:

The waiting is over! Implementation of Phase One will proceed as follows:

JUNE 8-9 set up scaffolding

JUNE 11 City building maintenance crew will start the three-week job of prepping and painting the exterior walls facing Andover, Cortland, and Moultrie.

FIRST WEEK OF JULY Artist Rueben Rude will commence work on the Moultrie Street mural.

END OF AUGUST Moultrie Street mural will be completed.

JULY AND AUGUST Precita Eyes will install the tile and bronze artwork on the Cortland Street (front) wall. The logistics of creating tiles and bronze foundry work make it impossible to be absolutely precise about the timeline of this installation, but Precita Eyes is doing everything possible to finish by the end of August.

HELPING The Task Force is working with the artists to identify opportunities for the community to participate. If you’re interested in helping out, let us know by email. And we will also be back in touch when we have more information from the artists.

Meanwhile, Neighbor Brandon tells us that the Bernal Library Art Project has issued an invitation for artists to submit proposals for the southern, playground-facing side of the library building:

Seeking proposals for exterior artwork on the playground side of the Bernal Heights Branch Library in San Francisco (500 Cortland Avenue).

The library was constructed in 1939 and is a significant landmark in the community. Interior renovation of the library was completed last year, and all the facilities are new and enlarged. During the last year, new artwork has been designed for the front façade and Moultrie side of the library and will be installed this summer.
The final exterior artwork for the playground wall of the library should be visually compelling and dynamic, preserve the aesthetics of the building, express the values of the community, and enhance the experience of the programs and resources offered by the library.

The new artwork will incorporate themes of social justice, inclusion, Bernal history, represent the whole community and be reflective of the artist’s particular interpretation. The new art will be designed to create a balance between the artwork and the facade—freestanding, mural, or some other combination. It will use media that requires little or no maintenance, such as painted tile, mosaic, or metal work. It will also need to create a dialogue with the artwork on the front and Moultrie side of the library.

For an application email bernallibraryartproject@gmail.com

PHOTO: Telstar Logistics

9 thoughts on “Work Begins (and Artists Wanted) for New Bernal Library Mural”

I’m glad a compromise could be reached and it still saddens me that the architectural integrity of our wonderful library could not be preserved in its entirety.

Yippee! As another poster said when this was “decided”, the library will now have its own tramp stamp! (Cortland Facade)

I haven’t been paying attention.. What architectural integrity isn’t being preserved?

The mural facing the playground should reflect social justice, inclusion, bernal history etc?? What ever happened to painting a mural facing the PLAYGROUND that is for the KIDS not the adults? I dont think that a cute little 5 year old really cares that this was a busy working neighborhood during WW2! Maybe some kids holding balloons or something fun and colorful instead of making the back side some political statement? Btw, who do we email if we want to help out?

Thanks!
Moultrie st neighbor.

You can contact the task force at bernallibraryartproject at gmail dot com. We’ll be happy to hear from you!

There hasn’t been a selection of artist or artwork for the playground façade, but we hope that the design will inspire Bernalites of all ages and spur the curiosity of young people to learn more about the incredible neighborhood where we live.

It bothers me that we are not bringing this beautiful building back to its original facade. Yet, I can’t say anything because I didn’t attend any meetings to voice my opinion. Well, nothing is permanent. Hopefully it will be taken down at some point.

So what do you mean about “not bringing this beautiful building back to its original facade”? Do you mean you’d prefer to not add the new mural? Or is there something else that is not original? Again, I haven’t been paying attention.