Coronavirus kindness: Bay Area artists create murals on boarded storefronts to uplift local communities

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KGO) -- When you walk down the streets of San Francisco, you can't help but notice the boarded storefronts as non-essential businesses remain closed.

Local artists are bringing life and beauty to our streets, sending messages of love to people in their community.

Within the last few days, one artist has painted three murals filled with hearts.

"Right now, it is so important for people to feel love so it doesn't look like Armageddon has happened and to provide some sort of comfort for people," said Duser, a visual artist and music producer.

Art agency "Building 180" and nonprofit "Art for Civil Discourse" are teaming up in an effort called Paint the Void.

It brings murals to shuttered businesses while providing a stipend for artists who have been affected by COVID-19.

Paint the Void is pairing artists with businesses in their local community to avoid unnecessary travel.

Meredith Winner is making the connections between businesses and artists.

"We thought that beautifying the streets with murals would be a good place for people who are still working the frontlines and getting out there everyday," said Meredith Winner, Organizer of Paint the Void Project. "We wanted to bring hope into the community and inspire people."

Artists are experiencing hardship, from canceled gigs, art shows and festivals. Paint the Void helps alleviate financial stress to artists who are struggling to pay rent for their art studios and not having a space to create.

Amos Goldbaum plans to use a canvas as an homage to the influenza pandemic that happened a century ago.

"It is showing us that history repeats itself," said Amos Goldbaum, San Francisco Artist. "It might seem crazy and unprecedented but there are lessons that we can learn in the past," he said.

Paint the Void has received an outpouring of support from the local community and artists. Once the shelter in place order is lifted many artists plan to auction their murals and donate to those in need.

"We are seeing a lot of participation with businesses and artists. It is amazing how people have come together," said Winner. "When we get out of this there will be a lot of great art to look at," she said.

To comply with the shelter-in-place order, artists are creating murals in their homes and art studios. Some artists will be creating the art in a timely manner at off hours with personal protective gear.

You can donate or participate in Paint the Void by clicking here.

If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.

Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here

RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US, around the world
• Coronavirus data: See how the curve of COVID-19 cases is bending in each Bay Area county
• Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
• Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
• Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
• WATCH: ABC7's interactive town hall 'Race and Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation'
• What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
• Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
• Coronavirus and the new normal of living in the San Francisco-Bay Area -- COVID-19 Diaries
• Happy hour goes virtual as people try to be sociable while social distancing during COVID-19 crisis
• Coronavirus Outbreak: Here's why you should practice 'social distancing'
• DRONEVIEW7: What the Bay Area looks like during the coronavirus shelter-in-place
• ABC7's drive around San Francisco shows empty streets, businesses shuttered
• Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
• List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
• Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
• Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
• How to maintain learning during school closures
• No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
• Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
• Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19