SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KGTV) - An alleyway in Hillcrest has transformed from dark and dirty to a work of art, and the revision isn’t complete yet.
Patric Stillman is the owner of The Studio Door, an art gallery positioned in front of the alleyway. He said artists have been adding their work to the walls of the alleyway and it’s now grown into its own gallery that they’ve dubbed “mural alley.”
“This was a pretty grungy space and over the past year we’ve been able to bring in some remarkable local muralists,” said Stillman.
While artists continue to work on blank walls in the area, the Hillcrest Business Association is stepping in to take the space to the next level. Benjamin Nicholls, the Hillcrest Business Association Executive Director, said they’re asking the community for donations to fund-raise and add string lights that zig zag across the top of the alleyway.
“Hillcrest mural alley is going to become a destination and it’s going to be a creative community destination,” said Nicholls.
Nicholls added that in a coronavirus era when activities are safest outdoors, they hope this space will become an outdoor entertainment and event area.
Even without the addition of the lights, it’s already catching eyes. Mother daughter duo Brooke and Linda Castro said they were walking to lunch in Hillcrest and noticed the art, then changed their route to walk by it.
“We saw this so we decided we needed to walk down the alley to see everything,” said Linda.
They said they could envision the space with lights and would welcome the addition because it would highlight the art, but also bring a level of safety.
“I think this would become a more popular area just because of the artwork and the lighting,” said Linda.
Donations to the project can be made here. Nicholls said the light project will cost about $3,500 and any leftover donations will be used to continue adding murals to blank walls in the area.
For Stillman, the addition of the outdoor space behind his business is a welcome project during a stressful time.
“I think that art always warms our hearts and for a community to have this space, I think is really important in these times that are so challenging,” said Stillman.
