Welcome to Oakland’s Laurel District. We have over 50 public art pieces, many of which are featured on the official tour. Enjoy exploring the murals and learning more about the artists as you go. We welcome you to stop into our local shops, restaurants, and services found along MacArthur Boulevard while you’re in the neighborhood.

BACKGROUND ON MURALS IN THE LAUREL
The Laurel District Association helped to facilitate the creation and promotion of murals found throughout our vibrant commercial corridor which spans Oakland’s MacArthur Boulevard from 35th Avenue to High Street. Mural projects were supported using the business district’s “identity budget,” Assessments (annual fees paid by property owners), grants secured from Visit Oakland and Center for Biological Diversity, and some private contributions from business owners. In some cases, our involvement was simply introducing a business owner to a local artist, and they took it from there.

Enough property owners supported our vision of a district immersed in large-scale visual art that it helped the initiative to gain momentum and encourage other owners, businesses, and artists to participate. The Laurel believes that art is needed — not just to spruce up a community — but to give it a unique, artistic identity that celebrates diversity and cultural expression. From live music, street festivals, and visual arts, supporting creative expression helps inspire and grow the district.

ARTIST INTERVIEWS AND MURL LOCATIONS BELOW.
Video interviews with artists were created by YouthBeat, an organization that helps undeserved Oakland youth reach for their dreams and succeed. They educate, empower, and employ teens and young adults, creating a career pipeline for low-income youth of color in the media industry. Find out more at youthbeat.org.

CAN YOU HELP BRING MORE ART TO THE LAUREL?

 

MURAL TOUR MAP

Use the Map or scroll down for in-depth info on each mural and its artist(s) organized from 35th Avenue to High Street as you explore MacArthur Boulevard in The Laurel.

Note: Some of the murals will be on the side of the building indicated.

 

3525 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 

Fernando “Rush” Santos Ortiz
MURAL NAME: Civil Rights
MURAL DATE: 2021

Fernando “Rush” Santos Ortiz grew up in Oakland and works as a visual artist, muralist, and is the founder of Beast Oakland clothing.

Civil Rights memorializes Oakland-native Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu, Gonzalo and Felicitas Méndez, and John Lewis; all leaders who stood up for others and for the civil rights of us all.

Muralist Fernando Santos Interview - Oakland Civil Rights

 

3647 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 

Pancho Pescador
MURAL NAME: Offering Of Peace, Love & Abundance
MURAL DATE: 2024

Pancho is a visual artist and muralist, originally from Chile. He has created over 200 murals in Oakland.

Created in the style of magic realism, this mural honors female energy and the connectedness of life and nature. It is a testament to the spiritual and ceremonial roots of Latin American culture. 

This mural was supported by AVA COMMUNITY ENERGY.

Your local not-for-profit electricityprovider is a proud sponsor of this mural.

Muralist Pancho Pescador Interview - Offering of Peace, Love and Abundance

 

3814 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 
 
 

Day Pollini
MURAL NAME: LAUREL DISTRICT CITYSCAPE
Mural date: 2024

The concept was to highlight the small businesses in The Laurel District within the context of greater Oakland, represented by the city skyline, and surrounded by mountains, greenery and the neighborhood homes.

Muralist Day Pollini Interivew - Laurel District Cityscape

 

3900 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 

Fernando “Rush” Santos Ortiz & ROGER PEET
MURAL NAME: A BEAR-SHAPED HOLE
MURAL DATE: 2017

Fernando “Rush” Santos grew up in Oakland and works as a visual artist, muralist, and is the founder of Beast Oakland clothing.

Roger Peet is an artist in Portland, OR. He coordinated the Endangered Species Mural Project for the Center for Biological Diversity, of which these murals are a part.

A Bear-Shaped Hole depicts the absence of the California Grizzly — a majestic species which is featured on the California flag — but has been eliminated from the state.

Muralist Fernando Santos Interview - A Bear-Shaped Hole

 

3901 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 

Robin Gibson
MURAL NAME: JAzzsWINGS

Muralist Robin Gibson Interview - JAZZSWINGS

 

4055 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 
 
 

Xochitl Nevel Guerrero
MURAL NAME: Our Future is in the Hands of Mother Earth
MURAL DATE: 2024

Xochitl was raised in Oakland and is an artist of fine arts, crafts, and murals. One of her earliest murals was a collaboration with her father, Raymundo “Zala” Nevel, in Oakland’s Fruitvale District. Zala ran the Galeria Teocalli in the early 1970's in the Laurel District. Xochitl founded her art business, Taller Xochicura, in 2013.

This work honors Mother Earth and emphasizes the need to focus on what's important in life: preservation of the Earth, the natural elements, and the future of our children and all humanity.

Muralist Xochitl Nevel Guerrero Interview - Our Future is in the Hands of Mother Earth

 

4055 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 
 
 

ROBERTO GUERRERO
MURAL NAME: HEROES
MURAL DATE: 2024

Roberto was born in Newark, California and moved to Oakland in the 1970's where he studied art at several local colleges.

Roberto memorializes some of his personal heroes, including his father-in-law, Raymundo “Zala” Nevel; Greg Morozumi, co-founder of Eastside Cultural Center; Marcus Holder, activist and longshoreman; indigenous Californians; Han Wong; the new multicultural generation; and his nephew, Cesar Sopelario.

Muralist Roberto Guerrero Interview - Heroes

 

4100 MacArthur Blvd.

AZTEC DANCER

VIVE Y DEJA VIVIR

 
 

Pancho PeScador
MURAL NAME: Aztec Dancer
MURAL DATE: 2019

MURAL NAME:  Vive y deja Vivir
MURAL DATE:  2020

Pancho is a visual artist and muralist, originally from Chile. He has created over 200 murals in Oakland.

The Aztec dancer and Dia de los Muertos adorned woman honor Mexican culture and the color and vibrancy these influences bring to Oakland.

 

Muralist Pancho Pescador Interview - Aztec Dancer

 

4166 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 
 
 

Roberto Gonzalez and William Kavner
MURAL NAME: Feathered Serpent
MURAL DATE: 2022

Last Ones is a collective of artists with an extensive background in graffiti, street art, murals, branding, and design.

Feathered Serpent represents the abundance of life and the importance of cultural and spiritual relevance in our community, emphasizing healthy food sources and choices for Oakland.

Muralists Roberto Gonzalez Interview - Feathered Serpent

 

4173 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 

Francisco “AMEND” Sanchez & MIKE TYAU
MURAL NAME: STANDING TALL
MURAL DATE: 2021

Amend is a multi-disciplinary self-taught artist from Oakland California and works predominantly with the aerosol medium.  Amend’s style is influenced by traditional Mexican Muralism, yet maintains the grit and raw nature of his Urban Graffiti Roots.

Amend is also a part of TDK Collective. TDK is nationally and internationally respected, known for both their mural projects and  dedication to Aerosol Art.

The intention for this mural is to give the viewer an interactive piece to engage with. Using perspective, the artist created a feeling of standing with the trees. That said, once a mural is complete, the interpretation is left to the viewer.

Muralist Francisco “Amend” Sanchez Interview - Standing Tall

 

4233 MacArthur Blvd.

 
 

John “Prime” Hina
MURAL NAME: HUMMINGBIRD
MURAL DATE: 2010

Prime has been an artist for over 50 years and now resides in Hawaii. He has created several murals in Oakland.

Hummingbird is the representation of an old story of a hummingbird doing its part to put out a fire drop by drop while others look on and mock. He equates it with the importance of every life doing what they can to help, the resiliency of Oaklanders and their day-to-day struggles.

Muralist Jhon “Prime” Hina Interview - Hummingbird