Laney College mural students, under the guidance of instructor Fred Alvarado, have completed a bold and beautiful mural on the exterior of a District Service Center (DSC) building near the Laney football field. Located on 5th Avenue just west of East 8th Street, the once-plain structure now bursts with color, symbolism, and community pride—thanks to the vision and hard work of Alvarado’s students.
Created over several weeks this spring, the mural was designed not only to bring beauty to the area, but also to deter graffiti and reclaim public space with student-centered art. The evolving process was documented in a series of photos taken by Peralta Visual & Digital Media Specialist, Faiza Ali, capturing the energy and dedication of the muralists from beginning sketches to final brushstrokes.
Peralta Community College District Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, along with other district leaders, visited the mural site to celebrate with students and even joined them on the scaffolding to witness the work up close. Their presence underscored the district’s support for public art, hands-on learning, and the transformative role of creativity in education.
The final touches were completed just last week, and now that the scaffolding has come down, the mural is fully visible to the public. An official unveiling is planned for this fall, along with video interviews featuring the artists behind the project.
Visitors are encouraged to view the mural in person near Laney College’s football field—on 5th Avenue, just west of E. 8th Street—where it now stands as a lasting symbol of student voice, pride, and community investment.
Want to see the full transformation?
Check out a photo gallery of the mural build from start to finish: View the mural photos »