Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
Bhutan • 11 days, 10 nights
Festivals & Temples of Bhutan
from
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
18 days ago
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
19 days ago
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
21 days ago
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery
22 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States California Oakland Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project
AO Edited

Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project

A series of vibrant murals celebrate the culture and community of Oakland.

Oakland, California

Added By
pavlovs dog
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
“Bob” from OSH Mural #2   Dianne Yee
“Bob” from OSH Mural #2   Dianne Yee
A portion of OSH Mural #2   William Newton
Center portion of OSH Mural #2   William Newton
A portion of OSH Mural #2   William Newton
A portion of OSH Mural #3   William Newton
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Bursts of bright colors and whimsical designs can be seen adorning several of Oakland, California's, formerly dreary underpasses. These grand pieces of public art are the work of the Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project, an effort that seeks to involve youth in effecting change in their communities and rejuvenate the city they call home.

Creating larger-than-life murals (up to 4,000 square feet!) takes a lot of collaboration, but not just in the way one might expect. The project, led by the Attitudinal Healing Connection of Oakland, enlists the help of not just artists, but also area residents and local school children to dream up designs and bring them to life. With a body of work currently totaling six unique murals, students all the way from elementary to high school levels have led the conceptual designs of the pieces that now line their neighborhood's streets.

There's a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, but when it comes to these murals, that may be putting it lightly; each piece has its own set of characters with detailed backgrounds and story lines created by students that represent visions of their own hometown superheroes. For instance, mural #4's D-Bow Jalapeño has powers that he uses to pick up trash and put out fires; in mural #3, twins Planteen and Solar ensure that water is clean and abundant. Though the characters and the topics addressed in the paintings are diverse and varied, a common theme is there: they all represent students' responses to the problems they see in their community and their visions for change.

The project represents a hope for the future, engaging students in a collaborative effort to reimagine their communities and utilize public art as a tool to craft solutions.

Related Tags

Black History Art Outside Murals

Know Before You Go

Mural #1 is located under the I-580 underpass on San Pablo Avenue between 35th and 36th Street. Mural #2 is located under the I-580 underpass on Market Street between 35th and 36th Street. Mural #3 is located under the I-580 underpass on West Street between 35th and 36th Street. Mural #4 is located under the I-580 underpass on West Street between 35th and 36th Street.

Community Contributors

Added By

pavlovs dog

Published

July 12, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://westoaklandmuralproject.org/
Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project
West Oakland
Oakland, California, 94608
United States
37.827028, -122.278651
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Big Daddy's Complete Rejuvenating Community Garden

Emeryville, California

miles away

Kinetic Steam Works

Oakland, California

miles away

It's All Good Bakery

Oakland, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Oakland

Oakland

California

Places 30
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Big Daddy's Complete Rejuvenating Community Garden

Emeryville, California

miles away

Kinetic Steam Works

Oakland, California

miles away

It's All Good Bakery

Oakland, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Oakland

Oakland

California

Places 30
Stories 7

Related Stories and Lists

8 Public Displays of Black Art

List

By Jonathan Carey

12 Murals Dedicated to Local Heroes

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • Savannah, Georgia

    ‘Black Holocaust Memorial’

    Papier-mâché folk art recognizing horrors of slave trade.

  • Phoenix, Arizona

    David Bowie Mural

    This mural of the late David Bowie features eight colorful panels showcasing Bowie’s various alter egos.

  • Kaunas, Lithuania

    Kiemo Galerija (Courtyard Gallery)

    An open-air art gallery that aims to share the stories of the people who live around it.

  • The ‘E Pluribus Unum’ Mural at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus.

    Stevens Point, Wisconsin

    ‘E Pluribus Unum’ Mural

    This massive 286,200-tile mosaic was the largest mural of its kind in the United States and is an early example of computer-generated art.

  • Orihuela, Spain

    Murales de San Isidro

    A working-class suburb has become an open-air art museum dedicated to a local poet and hero of the Spanish Civil War.

  • The mural at night.

    Hanamaki, Japan

    ‘Future City Galactic Earth Railway’

    A fantastical glow-in-the-dark mural inspired by the city’s most famous writer, Kenji Miyazawa.

  • Copenhagen, Denmark

    Happy City Birds Mural

    Famous for his giant trolls, Thomas Dambo's lesser-known early work is a creative 3D mural with sustainable birdhouses.

  • De Berenkuil

    Eindhoven, Netherlands

    De Berenkuil

    A bike traffic circle showcasing the works of local graffiti artists.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.