Artist Recreated Historic San Francisco Mural

Mel Waters began restoring the iconic Harlem of the West mural on Divisadero Street in late August 2026.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in African-American

Artist Recreated Historic San Francisco Mural

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In late August 2026, artist Mel Waters began recreating his Harlem of the West mural at 1233 Divisadero Street in San Francisco. The original artwork had previously stood on the same laundromat wall for 12 years before being painted over following graffiti damage.

Why it matters

Restoring this piece revitalizes a key landmark in a neighborhood known for its rich history. The project preserves a local visual legacy that had been lost after the original wall required structural repairs and fresh paint.

The mural is located at 1233 Divisadero Street on a wall adjacent to the Little Zion Baptist Church parking lot. The original artwork had remained in place for 12 years before being covered after graffiti accumulated.

The players

Mel Waters

He is a visual artist known for painting the Harlem of the West mural in San Francisco.

1AM Projects

This is a creative collective that produced a mural titled Togetherness near the Divisadero corridor.

The details

Mel Waters is painting the new iteration of the mural on the exact wall where his 2014 original stood. Additionally, a collective called 1AM Projects recently installed a separate work titled Togetherness at the corner of Divisadero and Pine Streets.

The original mural was painted in 2014.
Work to recreate the mural began in late August 2026.

Culture Shift

This project reflects the broader effort to maintain the identity of the Fillmore District through the historical preservation of San Francisco's local culture. It serves as a visual bridge between the neighborhood's past and its evolving modern environment.

Residents and visitors to the Divisadero corridor can expect to see the finished mural as part of the renewed streetscape near Little Zion Baptist Church. The project restores a visual landmark that defines the aesthetic of the immediate neighborhood.

The takeaway

Artistic restoration can play a vital role in grounding a changing neighborhood in its historical context. Community members looking to support local history can advocate for the protection and maintenance of public murals in their own districts.