SFMOMA’s Proyecto Mission Murals

Amalia Mesa-Bains Oral History

This is an oral history interview of curator, critic, author, visual artist, and educator Amalia Mesa-Bains. She reflects upon her interactions with Mujeres Muralistas, her work as arts commissioner, her MacArthur Foundation fellowship, and her partnership and life with her husband, Richard, and the influence of her friendships with Luis Valdez and Ralph Maradiaga.

Consuelo Méndez Oral History

This oral history explores Méndez’s early life in Venezuela, her upbringing in the United States, her relationship with her parents, her work shaping and creating art as one of the founders of the legendary art collective Las Mujeres Muralistas, and her role in preserving and amplifying Latino heritage in San Francisco's Mission District, in Venezuela, and elsewhere.

Eduardo Pineda Oral History

This is an oral history interview of Peruvian American artist, educator, and curator Eduardo Pineda. In addition to describing the public art he has generated through the years, Pineda discusses his early life in Peru, his work in the visual arts world, and his educational projects, as well as his curatorial assignments.

Frances Valesco Oral History

This is an oral history interview of artist and educator Frances Valesco. Valesco delves into her personal life and upbringing and goes into her work as a muralist and educator, especially related to her past and present work on the Disability Mural. She also discusses her teaching life and her current doctorate.

Michael Ríos Oral History

In this oral history interview of pivotal Chicanx artist Michael Ríos, the personal and political reasons for Ríos's focus on muralism are clarified as he takes us, mural by mural, on a journey through the expanse of public art he has generated throughout the years.

Susan Kelk Cervantes Oral History

This is an oral history interview of Susan Kelk Cervantes—muralist, artist, and cofounder of Precita Eyes Muralists. The artist describes her childhood in Texas and details her participation in Mujeres Muralistas, as well as her creative collaborations with her late husband, artist Luis Cervantes, and lifelong dedication to sharing mural making with current and future generations.

Brooke Oliver Oral History

This is an oral history interview of lawyer Brooke Oliver. She reflects on how her law career placed her at the forefront of visual arts legislation in the United States and discusses the cases she has defended in front of the Supreme Court; her law practice; and social justice issues related to race, sexual orientation, and gender expression.

Daniel Galvez Oral History

In this oral history interview of muralist and artist Daniel Galvez, the artist details the public art he generated and activism he participated in throughout the years. Galvez reflects on his role in preserving and amplifying his Chicano heritage and carving out his own legacy through the arts.

Ester Hernández Oral History

This is an oral history interview of visual artist Ester Hernández. She delves into her Mexican and Yaqui roots, her rural upbringing, and her work as a muralist, visual artist, and educator. Hernández also reflects on the influence of Japan in her work and her time with the Mujeres Muralistas.

Irene Pérez Oral History

This is an oral history interview of Irene Pérez, visual artist and founding member of Mujeres Muralistas. Pérez discusses her early life in the East Bay, her work in forming and creating art as a founding member of the collective, identifying as lesbiana, and the important role Mexico plays in the imagery of her work.

Nancy "Pili" Hernandez Oral History

This is an oral history interview with artist and activist Nancy "Pili" Hernandez. She details her foray into murals and street art and also discusses her more recent work as an activist, especially related to her activism with the Resist banner in Washington, DC, after the 2016 US presidential election.

Ray Patlán Oral History

In this oral history interview, Ray Patlán, Chicanx artist, educator, and cofounder of PLACA, delves into his early life in Chicago that led to his career as an artist, including his trips to México since he was a kid, and details his foray into visual art, his educational projects, as well as his teaching life.

Yolanda López Oral History

In this oral history interview, Chicana artist and activist Yolanda López reflects on what led to her career as an artist and reviews the expanse of public art she generated throughout the years. She also details her work as an activist, especially related to Chicano Park and Los Siete.

Carlos "Kookie" Gonzalez Oral History

This is an oral history interview of muralist and artist Carlos “Kookie” Gonzalez. He delves into his career as an artist and probation officer, and also talks about his friendship and work with muralists Susan Cervantes, Michael Ríos, and Ray Patlán. Gonzalez describes the importance of music in his life and his current projects after retirement.

Dewey Crumpler Oral History

This is an oral history interview of Dewey Crumpler, muralist, artist, and educator. Dewey reflects on his early life and trips he took to his native Arkansas while growing up, witnessing the erasure of Black history from his education, and discussing how that motivated him to create art that examines racism in the United States.

Estria Miyashiro Oral History

This oral history delves into Miyashiro’s personal life and his work as an artist. He shares his experience of moving from Hawaii to San Francisco, his initial interest in mural making, and what he learned from other artists. He discusses the expanse of public art and activism he generated throughout the years, his role in preserving and amplifying his own Hawaiian heritage, and how he carved out his own legacy through the arts.

Mia Galaviz de Gonzalez and Ana Montano Oral History

This oral history interview delves into the facets of art educator Gonzalez’s and lawyer Montano’s early lives and their upbringings. They also speak of their personal and political reasons for establishing Balmy Alley as an arts space. Gonzalez and Montano also reflect on their roles in preserving and amplifying Chicanx and Latinx heritage in San Francisco and beyond.

Patricia Rodriguez Oral History

This is an oral history interview of muralist and educator Patricia Rodriguez. She talks about the beginnings of Mujeres Muralistas, her depictions of everyday women and people from the community in her murals, and her role in preserving and amplifying Chicanx and Latinx heritage in San Francisco’s Mission District and beyond.

Xochitl Nevel-Guerrero Oral History

This is an oral history interview of muralist, artist, and educator Xochitl Nevel-Guerrero. She discusses her work in the Nosotros venceremos mural and her collaboration with the Mujeres Muralistas, including her work on the MaestraPeace mural in San Francisco’s Women’s Building. Nevel-Guerrero also expands on her role in helping preserve and amplify Chicanx and Latinx heritage in the Bay Area and beyond.