Photo Ops
For Immediate Release
December 17, 2003

Oakland, Calif. (December 17, 2003) - On Friday, December 19, 2003 at 3:00 p.m., the Port of Oakland will install and dedicate a temporary mural at the FDR Pier at Jack London Square. The pier is adjacent to the Alameda-Oakland Ferry landing. The mural is the first completed project from the recently launched Port of Oakland Public Art Program. The mural will be in place until the work to replace the pier begins sometime in the summer of 2004.

The mural is a collaborative work between the Port and the Museum of Children's Art (MOCHA). MOCHA involved children from its Project YIELD (Youth in Education and Leadership Development) program at Cole Elementary School in West Oakland to create the 100-foot mural. Port Board Commissioner Darlene Ayers-Johnson, chair of the Port's Administrative Committee said, "This is an excellent example of what we envisioned for our Public Art Program. This was truly a community effort. The public who helped create it can now see it on display here at Jack London Square. I'm very proud to be a part of this effort."

The mural depicts the children's impression of the present and future of the Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. The park is a significant project that greatly expands bay access for the community and region. It opens up 40 acres to public access of waterfront land. The park is now partially open to the public and will be completed in 2007.

To get a waterfront perspective, the children from the Project YIELD program were introduced to the park on a field trip that included a ferry ride along the estuary and harbor areas. They were provided information about the port, the new park and their significance to the community and region. From that experience, the children created the mural being installed today.

"The mural project represents one of the many facets of our public art program," commented Harold Jones, Director of Communications for the Port responsible for oversight of the Port's Public Art Program. "The public was invited to participate in its creation. There were ferry riders who took the time to pick up a paintbrush and lend a hand, as well as holiday visitors at Jack London Square, said Jones. He added, "Here is a project that supports and articulates the work of the Port while also providing enjoyment, education, access, and a sense of the unique place that we call Oakland."

"It's about balance," said Tay Yoshitani Executive Director for the Port. "We commit to a triple bottom line by boosting the economy, creating social equity, and caring for the environment. This mural is a great example of a project that involves the community and speaks to all three of our commitments," he stated.

Contact:
Harold Jones
Director of Communications
(510) 627-1564
hjones@portoakland.com