Artist Recreated Harlem of the West Mural
The artwork returned to 1233 Divisadero Street after work began in late August 2026.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in African-American
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San Francisco residents will see the return of a landmark piece of local history on Divisadero Street. Artist Mel Waters has begun recreating the Harlem of the West mural that previously stood on the wall of a laundromat for over a decade.
Why it matters
The restoration brings back a visual piece of the city's cultural heritage to a wall that had been painted over following graffiti damage. It represents a significant effort to preserve local storytelling in a space long tied to community identity.
The original mural stood for 12 years at 1233 Divisadero Street before it was painted over. Restoration efforts began in late August 2026, though the timeline for final completion is not yet known.
The players
Mel Waters
The artist who painted the original Harlem of the West mural and is currently leading its recreation.
1AM Projects
A collective that created a separate new mural titled Togetherness near Divisadero and Pine Streets.
The details
Artist Mel Waters is currently at work on the site off the Little Zion Baptist Church parking lot, located between Eddy and Ellis Streets. He is using the same wall that housed the original 2014 piece to bring the design back to the neighborhood. Waters also intends to add further artwork to the wall after the primary recreation is complete.
Timeline
2014: The original Harlem of the West mural was first painted.
Late August 2026: Work began to recreate the mural.
October 5, 2026: Official update on the progress of the mural restoration.
Across the Bay
This project follows the precedent set by the original 2014 installation of the Harlem of the West mural on the same site. It marks a return to the visual landscape that defined this specific stretch of Divisadero for over a decade.
Neighbors walking by the Little Zion Baptist Church parking lot between Eddy and Ellis Streets can now see the mural recreation in progress. The site is located at 1233 Divisadero Street.
The takeaway
The restoration of this mural serves as a reminder of how neighborhood art can anchor a street corner. Residents should watch the wall at 1233 Divisadero Street for the final reveal of the painting.
Further reading
Find more stories about the city's cultural landmarks in the African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New Fillmore.
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