Matley Hurd and Paint the Void

Bringing Beauty to Our Community

When businesses erected plywood on their closed storefronts in the wake of COVID-19 and following the Black Lives Matter protests this June, the San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit Paint the Void saw a chance to create beauty. Through donations, Paint the Void has commissioned more than 80 murals to date around the Bay Area. 

Our Old Oakland cafe facade was lucky to be graced with the work of San Francisco artist Matley Hurd. He painted the first of many murals in the neighborhood inspired by Black Lives Matter. 

“I think I’m partly drawn to painting goddess-like figures because I’ve always loved sci-fi, space, and mythology,” he says.  

For this mural, he wanted to depict a powerful Black goddess-like figure with beautiful colors emanating from and surrounding her. His choice of rainbow hues is a serendipitous nod to Pride. “I wanted to create a mural that would bring some positivity and power to the street.” 

We’re honored to have been able to purchase the mural so that it can remain at our Oakland headquarters. Please also join us in supporting the work of Paint the Void.