Local Artists Painted 322 Utility Boxes Across San Francisco
‘Paint the City’ is a public art program led by the Civic Joy Fund, Paint The Void and Building 180, and recently they wrapped up the program’s second year, quietly painting a total 322 utility boxes across San Francisco.
Around the city, hundreds of forest green utility boxes are placed in public view on our city streets. These boxes contain necessary electrical units for our traffic signals, but they also provide an opportune target for graffiti and general blight. Through this partnership, 49 local artists have contributed to creating unique murals on these boxes, deterring graffiti and bringing public art to San Francisco’s streets.
This initiative, which began in 2023, brings color, energy, and creativity to our city streets while
providing opportunities for local artists from their respective neighborhoods to share the diverse cultural fabric of the city. In the Mission District, artist Jane Kang’s series of nine utility boxes honor her Korean heritage, similarly, artist Manuel Carmona painted six utility boxes on Valencia Street pays homage to the queer Latinx culture of the neighborhood.
“As a San Franciscan, I feel like it’s my duty as an artist to talk about our context. In this case,
the boxes were supposed to uplift the living conditions of people in the Mission which was a
working class Latino neighborhood, but it’s been changing a lot” said artist Manuel Carmona.
“Part of the aim of these boxes was to include everyone, so whoever you’re with and wherever
you’re going, if you’re going for a little walk, these make it a little more pleasant. This city
needs a lot of love and we just want to make it a little better for everyone.”
In autumn 2023 we worked with 27 local artists to paint 100 utility boxes across San Francisco.
In year two, which recently wrapped, Paint the City contracted another 22 local artists to
transform another 222 utility boxes. The murals enhance the visual tapestry of San Francisco
contributing to a renewed sense of civic pride throughout the city.
“This project isn’t just about beautifying utility boxes, it’s about celebrating the diverse voices
and stories that make our city unique.” said Manny Yekutiel from the Civic Joy Fund. “Over 50
talented local artists came together to transform everyday infrastructure into powerful works
of art, each one reflecting the culture, community, and spirit of the place it represents.”
Paint the City is just one of the many initiatives led by the Civic Joy Fund, which is dedicated
to bolstering San Francisco’s cultural and economic vibrancy. In addition to Paint the City, the
Civic Joy Fund is behind programs including Downtown First Thursdays, Clean Up the City,
and Summer of Music, all focused on the city’s recovery and revitalization.
Paint The City Participating Artists (full list)
Brandon Joseph Baker
Brittney Sundquist (Frozen Feathers)
Cameron Moberg
Christina Xu
Darin Balaban
Darnel Tasker
Ian the Meow
Jane Kang
Josh Katz
LE BohemianMuse
Lizzy Lu
Marc Wagenseil
Monica Magtoto
Rashon Dickason
Robert Casanovas
Robert Louthan
Sami See
Saunders Hildreth
Shirley Lee
Talavera Ballon
Termeh Behbahani
Val Margolin
Vida Kuang
Yijun Ge
Art Koch
Ayesha Rana
Bianca Rivera
Caitlin Goebel
ChiChai
Diego Gomez
Dilcia Giron
Duser (Ryan Stubbs)
Eli The Man
Elliott C Nathan
Helice Wen
Jewelina Acosta
Josue Rojas
Lady Henze
Manuel Carmona
Mark Harris
Max Ehrman
Messy Beck
Nancy Cato
Rhonel Roberts
Ronnie Buders
Ryan Montgomery
Sam Flores
Seibot
Serge Gay Jr.
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