In an effort to promote local artists through public art projects, the Laurel District Association will present the Laurel Mural Art Walk from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17, on MacArthur Boulevard, between 38th Avenue and Maybelle Street. 

Artists Roberto Guerrero , Xochitl Guerrero, John “Prime” Hina, Danielle Lawrence, Sophie Leininger, Jen Martin, Lea Perez, Ed Reyes, 357 and students from Bret Harte Middle School were chosen to represent the variety of cultures, ages and economic backgrounds that make up the Laurel district. Director Tommy Wong said all but Hina are local; the graffiti artist painted the first mural on MacArthur, which was the spark for this current project.

Wong said the association is hopeful the vibrant, strategically placed murals will encourage drivers to slow down on MacArthur and inspire more people to walk around the district and support the merchants and that the murals will create community pride to spread the Laurel District’s theme, “Grow.” The murals are portable and can be moved and secured to other buildings to highlight different parts of the community.

At 11 a.m., the artists will gather in front of their murals to meet and talk to interested folks; the guided tour begins at noon at 38th Avenue.

At 1 p.m., the party moves to the Oakland Community Farmer’s Market at 4215 MacArthur with Mucho Axe setting the festive tone with South American world grooves followed by DJ Jamal spinning hip-hop and reggae. There will be painting activities for kids and the Purple Lawn Café will show off its cooking prowess with demonstrations and free snacks.

Three vehicles will be painted by artists including Oakland Food Connection’s bus. Hina will transform the bus with his vision of Oakland food justice.

Wong said the Laurel District, like many neighborhoods, has an incredible amount of talented and community-minded residents and supporting them helps everyone in the community see his or her uniqueness and connect with each other.

“Now, with times being tight is the time to pull on your neighborhood resources and let them flourish, “said Wong.