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Joseph Schell
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The first of many eye-catching garage doors on Lilac Alley.
San Francisco is full of graffiti, so when I received the assignment to photograph artsy garage doors around town, I didn't really bat an eye. But as I soon found out, it took a bit of searching (I won't lie, I actually had to zig-zag through several neighborhoods, combing the streets for graffiti), digging online and turning an attentive eye on my daily city travels. I also found there is an extensive little-seen community that keeps tabs on walls, alleys and buildings all around the city -- and they know exactly what's going on where in the street art world. This is a somewhat closed community that guards their privacy and don't like people asking questions. After dealing with an unwilling few, several talked.
For wall murals and alley art, S.F.'s Mission District really is the central hub of activity. One could put together a very interesting art walk centralized around the massive amount of color, expression and creativity found in the Mission alone.
Enjoy.
Lilac Alley
Just a half block east of Mission on 24th, Lilac Alley is right behind McDonald's. Don't stop gazing where the first alley ends, the art continues for three blocks in this ongoing project. Much more of a smorgasbord of art and style, Lilac gives you a full range of Mission alley art:
Shotwell Street
Just off of 24th on Shotwell, this phoenix-esque dove is displayed on
two garage doors facing west.
Clarion Alley
Clarion Alley connects Mission and Valencia between 17th and 18th. This well used alley offers a grittier selection of art. A little bit less refined than the other Mission alleys, Clarion features a morphing selection of more contemporary art with an edgier aesthetic.
22nd and Folsom Streets
Folsom and 22nd is the last place you would expect to find a swamp scene. But this is the beauty of these garage door painting, art where you would least expect it.
Piercing eyes and a head of snakes. Where's the Mission's Medusa? You can find this dark beauty on 22nd and Folsom.
Balmy Alley
Brick lined and floral filled; Balmy Alley is a great art excursion on the south side of 24th between Treat and Harrison. With a bit more of a Hispanic influence-you can find depictions of Frida Kahlo and stories of immigrants.
