40-Day ‘Revival’ Mural Unites Bay Area Community

Photo credit Bay Area Family Church, FFWPU

A major art project inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. is currently underway in the Bay Area where a team of Unificationists and other volunteers are painting a large community mural in 40 days.

The service project—a collaboration between the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP), Youth and Students for Peace (YSP) USA, and the Sobrante Park Resident Action Council (SPRAC)—honors Dr. King, who famously said, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.”

“Our theme for the mural is ‘revival,’” Gabriela von Euw of CARP, Bay Area chapter. “The mural reminds us of Dr. King’s bright spirit of serving.” 

The 40-day mural project began on January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“The fruits of all our design team efforts have really taken off!” said von Euw of CARP. “For the past two to three months, a small group of volunteers has been meeting to create a colorful design to paint the large brick wall along Sobrante Park on Edes and 105th avenues. During these 40 days we are focusing on the welcome sign.”

Prepped and primed, the group coated the wall with a bright sun-yellow backdrop where “Welcome to Sobrante Park” has been stylized in bold colorful letters across it.

Sobrante Park is one of the most crime-ridden neighborhoods in East Oakland with a strong drug and gang presence. More than a dozen volunteers from CARP, the Bay Area Family Church, and Higher Ground Church came together to paint the 300-foot long wall and beautify the eponymous park. The group also swept and picked up trash at the site and along nearby streets.

“As we painted the wall, people stopped to learn more about what we were doing and helped us paint the wall, too. People have driven by expressing their appreciation as well. It’s beautiful to see.”

Community leaders said they hope the mural can revive the spirit of residents and bring the neighborhood together.

“It’s more than just a mural,” added von Euw.

“We are painting to revive the hearts of all community members. And as we paint, we are also leaving positive messages about family, being active, and caring for the environment.”

“As someone who grew up in Sobrante Park, I’m inspired by the mural,” said SPRAC President Cynthia Arrington. “We’ve had so many people already share their appreciation; sharing how they have lived here for most of their lives with many unfortunate things happening in the area and how hopeful and inspired they are now seeing us paint the mural.”

Stay tuned for an update when the mural is finished later this month. To learn more about CARP, click here.

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