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Captions by: Melody (10)
Introduction by: Melody
Photos by: Mom Joyce
More info here –> hayward-ca.gov/residents/arts-leisure/mural-program
I’ve always known that Hayward has murals. Actually, the only one I think of is the one at the theater. You probably drive past them too. But do you ever wonder, do these murals have a history? For Memorial Day this year, my family and I got a chance to get an inside glance at some of Hayward’s murals.
#2 :: Hayward Historical Society Mural by Artist Josh Powell
This was supposed to be the 2nd mural on the self-guided tour, but we saw it first because we parked our car in a parking lot nearby. This mural shows how cars changed Hayward and started an era of rapid growth in Hayward’s history.
Downtown Utility Box (diagonal from the City Gateway Mural)
There are lots of utility boxes that are decorated, just like this one, with the trees on it. You just have to look.
#1 :: City Gateway Mural by Artist Andrew Kong Knight
This one was my favorite that we saw. I liked how the artist captured the light and made so many details. It almost feels realistic!
City Gateway Mural welcomes you to Downtown Hayward, where all of the murals are located.
#3 :: Russel City Mural by Artist Josh Powell
Russel City Mural reminds people of a long-lost erof music and community.
“The city may be gone, but the memories live on.” The city of Hayward still stands strong.
Downtown Utility Box (near Russel City Mural – Artist Jean Bidwell??)
Here’s another utility box that we admired. Since it has the Grand Ole Opry on it, all of the people on the utility boxes are country singers.
#4 :: El Taquito Mural by Artist Linda Longinotti
The El Taquito Mural was outside of a restaurant, so that’s why we were in a parking lot. I like the graceful curves in this mural. If I were to paint a mural (I never will!) I would have no idea where to paint these tiles so they lined up correctly.
#6 :: Italian-Themed Mural by Artist Linda Longinotti
As an Italian themed mural, you’d expect it to have some kind of Italian etched into it, right? Well, it does. A staircase with roses beneath it, Italian-style houses…the beauty brings you straight to Italy.
#8 :: Avalon Jewelers Streetscape Mural by Artist Suzanne Gayle
The first thing I thought when I saw this mural was, “Why is there a huge soda can being dumped on this mural?” and “Why does this mural show unusual things?”
As it turns out, life isn’t always happy. There is chaos and there are unusual things, like the pet frog. But I like how this mural tells the truth: One big happy family with all of our differences. (Like the pet frog, which Emily luckily spotted first.)
#9 :: Cinema Place Parking Structure Murals by Artist Andrew Kong Knight
All of the Cinema murals are theater-themed. I liked the one below because the artist used blending. I’m an artist myself so I know how hard it is to blend. How did he make the spotlights?
#7 :: Downtown Hayward Mural by Artist Suzanne Gayle
Everybody was in awe and amazed by this one. It’s not every day that you get an inside look (with a magnifying glass) at what Hayward is made up of. Take a look and see if you can spot anything familiar!
When we spotted this door, we were excited because it showed where all of the utility boxes were, and everything! Side note: Where can you spot Cal State East Bay?
Downtown Utility Box (near Downtown Hayward Mural)
Our last photo on the list was this utility box. My favorite color is purple, so I took a picture in front of it with my sister.
We went to the car after that and drove home. It was about a 2-mile walk, not including the ones that we missed (below) so you can probably take your kids if they don’t mind walking. It was cold that day, so that’s why I have my hood up. We did the self-guided tour, but you can always reserve the guided one, too!
We only made it to 9 of the 12 murals this day. The murals we missed are #10 Hayward Main Library Book Drop Boxes, #11 Grand Terrace Sund Wall Mural, and #12 Jackson Street Southern Retaining Wall Mural. There are also dozens of utility boxes, more murals around the city on walls and under freeways, as well as murals at (almost all) the schools in Hayward.
Have you been on a local mini-adventure lately? Where did you go?
Note: Check out other activities in our Summer Series!
Moy Chronicles 