Dan Fontes:

Project: Oakland Festival of the Arts Mural 1983 - 1986
Dimensions: 8' x 12' (four canvases)
Medium: Enamels on Canvas
Location: In the collection of the artist

From 1983-1986 the non-profit group “Oakland Festival of the Arts” once held a large end of the Summer festival at Estuary Park south of Jack London Square that was successful and very well attended.  Luminaries like Pete Escovedo, Bruce Foreman and Etta James would entertain thousands of people on stage around the massive lawn next to the water.

In 1983, I along with and fellow muralist Keith Sklar, were commissioned to paint a large mural celebrating the arts and culture of Oakland. After the first year I led the Festival Mural with the public’s help.  

Each panel consisted of an 8’ x 12’ portable canvas mounted on Rubar’s custom made stretcher bars.  

The murals were painted live on site and finished off in the studio for display around town.  The mural eventually measured 8’ x 48’ and was put on display in multiple locations in downtown Oakland including the Alice Arts Center (now Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts).  

In 1992 while being displayed in the lobby of the Oakland Convention Center the 2nd of four panels was stolen late at night.  That panel has never been recovered.  On display here are the first, third and fourth section.