Clarion Alley facts for kids

Clarion Alley is a small street in San Francisco that's famous for its amazing wall paintings, called murals. It's located between Mission and Valencia Streets, and 17th and 18th Streets. These colorful artworks are created by a group called the Clarion Alley Mural Project.

A Look Back at Clarion Alley's History

This alley wasn't always called Clarion Alley. It was first known as "Cedar Lane." The name changed around the early 1900s. For a long time, Clarion Alley has been a lively spot for community activities and art. It's a place where people come together and express themselves through creative projects, especially the famous murals.

The Story of 47 Clarion

One important building in the alley was a warehouse at 47 Clarion. It was originally called the Woodmen Building. This building was a meeting place for a group called the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), who worked to improve conditions for workers. It was a place where people gathered to talk about workers' rights.

Later, from the 1960s until 2002, the warehouse became home to many artists and musicians. Sadly, the 47 Clarion warehouse was torn down in 2001. A parking lot for new apartments was built in its place. This change became a symbol of how the neighborhood was changing, a process called gentrification. Gentrification is when an area becomes more expensive, sometimes making it hard for the people and businesses who have been there a long time to stay.

Discovering the Murals of Clarion Alley

Since 1992, the walls of Clarion Alley have been covered in incredible murals. These artworks are part of the Clarion Alley Mural Project (CAMP). This project brings artists together to create art that often shares important messages about society and the world.

Some of the first murals were painted by artists who lived at 47 Clarion, like Aaron Noble and Rigo 23. They painted a mural called "Superhero Warehouse." It showed superheroes who looked a bit sad, on the side of the old warehouse. Another early mural was created by Scott Williams. His artwork showed animals that are native to the Mission District, based on research by Fred Rinne.

Clarion Alley in Books

Clarion Alley has even appeared in stories! It was featured in the first part of a fiction novel called Dog Days by John Levitt. In the book, the main character faces a challenge when one of the murals in the alley mysteriously comes to life.