The Box Shop Partners with San Francisco MTA – in a Mutual Press Event and Art Opening on April 3rd to Celebrate New Art and Safety Measures

In early March, SFMTA contacted the Box Shop to see if we could support their project to develop a quick-build installation of cement K-rails along Hunters Point Blvd. to improve safety. SFMTA and local organizations such as (Hunter’s Point Shipyard Studios and the African American Art & Cultural District) coordinated local neighborhood artists to paint murals along most of the K-rails and asked if the Box Shop could be home base for them to work and store their materials. The Box Shop promptly agreed to support this effort.

SFMTA, in partnership with Livable City (the nonprofit that coordinates Sunday Streets), planned a kick-off and press event to celebrate the new K-rails and artwork and asked to host it at the Box Shop. Again, we promptly agreed!

We thought this was a ripe opportunity to host an opening event to celebrate 80+ murals commissioned and installed all around and inside the Box Shop yard. The murals have been commissioned over the past year to offer artists suffering due to the pandemic opportunities, announce and signify the Shop as a place of art-making, and increase neighborhood beautification. 

The collaboration and event was an incredible success. We were proud to host dozens of local and City-level leaders, local artists, and arts and Box Shop supporters for the day! The event allowed us to bring more awareness to the Box Shop and its artistic significance and announce and mutually rejoice in dozens of new artworks for the space and neighborhood. 

As safety measures due to Covid-19 just began decreasing, allowing more outdoor gatherings, the timing was perfect! The day’s event consisted of an opening of The Box Shop yard and art viewing from 10 AM – 4 PM, a Press Event with local and City leaders at 11 AM, and a party for the Mural Project artists at 4 PM. 

It was a fabulous day of art and connection, and we thank all involved!

We plan to offer more Mural Project openings to showcase and celebrate the beautiful new murals and amazing artists – Please stay tuned!