Historic Preservation Commission unanimously backs landmark recommendation for Diego Rivera fresco at SFAI

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously 7–0 to recommend landmark designation of Diego Rivera’s 1931 fresco "Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City," located at 800 Chestnut Street on the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) campus, and forwarded the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

Planning staff described the work as a true fresco created May 1–31, 1931, painted in place on a furred-out wall and associated with SFAI’s early mural program and the Latinx/Chicanx mural tradition. "The department recommends approval of the recommendation for landmark designation of the making of a fresco," planning staff told the commission, noting a period of significance of 1931–1974 and the mural’s association with New Deal–era muralists.

The commission’s discussion focused on two central points: legal authority and ownership versus the artwork’s physical connection to the building. Andrea Risisky, Deputy City Attorney, told the commission, "Article 10 provides the Commission with the authority to designate features," and said landmarking is a regulation under the city’s police power rather than a taking. SFAI representatives had earlier submitted written objections and their interim chief operating officer, Mark Kushner, told the commission the institute does not support designation in part because "we don't believe the city has the authority to landmark this as its personal property," and that feasibility studies indicate the fresco may be movable. Kushner added that the SFAI board is not planning to move the mural at this time.

Public commenters and historians urged designation, stressing the mural’s artistic and community significance and its connection to later San Francisco mural movements. Anne Cervantes, speaking for the San Francisco Latino Historical Society, argued the fresco is an essential part of Latino mural history in the city. Architectural historian Catherine Petrin and others emphasized the mural’s ties to Coit Tower artists and the educational role of SFAI in training muralists.

Staff clarified the draft character-defining features recommended for the designation: the structural supports and construction system (furred-out wall, layers of lath and plaster), the mural’s size, shape and placement relative to the double-height pedimented interior wall, and the relationship of the mural to surrounding room features. Pilar LaValle, planning staff, said those features are intended to preserve the mural's visual setting while noting that the 1926 building already carries an earlier landmark designation.

Commissioners debated whether ownership or the possible movability of the panels should block designation. One commissioner said legal questions about ownership could be resolved in a separate forum and moved to proceed with the recommendation "with your one amendment" to include social and racial equity language; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously on roll call.

The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action. The commission’s vote was 7–0 in favor; no commissioners recorded a no vote or abstention. The staff report, letters from the public and the SFAI attorney’s letter were entered into the record and will accompany the referral to the Board of Supervisors.

Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will consider the commission’s recommendation; the commission noted future landmark nominations may follow for other Diego Rivera murals in the city.