Clarion Alley
Encyclopedia
Clarion Alley is a small street in San Francisco between Mission and Valencia Streets and 17th and 18th Streets. The alley lies at what was once the center of a lagoon that covered the central Mission District area, although some historians dispute the existence of the fresh water lagoon. Originally called "Cedar Lane," the alley's name was changed around the turn of the twentieth century to Clarion Alley.
The street is notable for community and arts activity, including the Clarion Alley Mural Project
, the American Indian Center and Promotoras Latinas Comunitarias de Salud. The warehouse at 47 Clarion was originally known as the Woodmen Building with the main door at 3345 17th Street. It was an IWW
meeting hall, where Tom Mooney
once attempted to organize railway workers, Later, 47 Clarion was home to artists and musicians from at least the early sixties through 2001. Notable residents included Terry Riley
, The Cockettes, Lise Swenson of Artists' Television Access
, and two of the artists - Rigo 23
and Aaron Noble, who were founding members of the Clarion Alley Mural Project. Noble and Rigo together painted the mural "Superhero Warehouse" showing a series of depressed superheroes on the warehouse's side, as a contribution to the mural project. 47 Clarion was demolished in 2001, and a parking lot for the condominium project on 17th Street replaced it. It became a symbol of the neighborhood's gentrification
.
The Clarion Alley Mural Project
formed in 1982, inspired by Balmy Alley
and other murals and muralists of San Francisco's Mission District. One of the early murals, painted by Scott Williams
after research done by Fred Rinne
depicted native animals of the Mission District.
The street is notable for community and arts activity, including the Clarion Alley Mural Project
Clarion Alley Mural Project
Clarion Alley Mural Project is an artists' collective formed in October 1992 by a volunteer collective of six North Mission residents: Aaron Noble, Michael O'Connor, Sebastiana Pastor, Rigo 92, Mary Gail Snyder, and Aracely Soriano...
, the American Indian Center and Promotoras Latinas Comunitarias de Salud. The warehouse at 47 Clarion was originally known as the Woodmen Building with the main door at 3345 17th Street. It was an IWW
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
meeting hall, where Tom Mooney
Thomas Mooney
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Mooney was an American political activist and labor leader, who was convicted with Warren K. Billings of the San Francisco Preparedness Day Bombing of 1916...
once attempted to organize railway workers, Later, 47 Clarion was home to artists and musicians from at least the early sixties through 2001. Notable residents included Terry Riley
Terry Riley
Terrence Mitchell Riley, is an American composer intrinsically associated with the minimalist school of Western classical music and was a pioneer of the movement...
, The Cockettes, Lise Swenson of Artists' Television Access
Artists' Television Access
Artists' Television Access is a non-profit art gallery and screening venue in San Francisco's Mission District in the United States of America. ATA exhibits work by emerging, independent and experimental artists in its theatre and gallery space as well as on its weekly Public-access television...
, and two of the artists - Rigo 23
Rigo 23
Rigo 23 , born Ricardo Gouveia, is a Portuguese muralist, painter, and political artist residing in San Francisco, California...
and Aaron Noble, who were founding members of the Clarion Alley Mural Project. Noble and Rigo together painted the mural "Superhero Warehouse" showing a series of depressed superheroes on the warehouse's side, as a contribution to the mural project. 47 Clarion was demolished in 2001, and a parking lot for the condominium project on 17th Street replaced it. It became a symbol of the neighborhood's gentrification
Gentrification
Gentrification and urban gentrification refer to the changes that result when wealthier people acquire or rent property in low income and working class communities. Urban gentrification is associated with movement. Consequent to gentrification, the average income increases and average family size...
.
The Clarion Alley Mural Project
Clarion Alley Mural Project
Clarion Alley Mural Project is an artists' collective formed in October 1992 by a volunteer collective of six North Mission residents: Aaron Noble, Michael O'Connor, Sebastiana Pastor, Rigo 92, Mary Gail Snyder, and Aracely Soriano...
formed in 1982, inspired by Balmy Alley
Balmy Alley
Balmy Alley is the location of the most concentrated collection of murals in the city of San Francisco. Located in the south central portion of the Inner Mission District between 24th Street and Garfield Square....
and other murals and muralists of San Francisco's Mission District. One of the early murals, painted by Scott Williams
Scott Williams (artist)
Scott Williams is an American artist best known for his work with stencils.Williams was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in Santa Barbara. He began painting with watercolor in high school, and studied art and anthropology at Santa Barbara City College, Cabrillo College, and Sonoma...
after research done by Fred Rinne
Fred Rinne
Fred Rinne is an American visual and performance artist. His cross disciplinary approach, outsider aesthetic and overriding cultural critique defines his work....
depicted native animals of the Mission District.