Behind the Scenes: Bringing the SF Public Library Atrium Mural to Life

When art meets engineering, remarkable things happen.
The San Francisco Main Library Atrium Mural Project, commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission and designed by Belén Islas, stands as a powerful example of creativity brought to life through collaboration and precision.

The Production Week – Printing Meets Art

Before installation could begin, Production Lead Alberto Vidaurre and the VIVAS production team spent an entire week printing, laminating, and quality-checking every vinyl panel.
The mural spanned nearly 40 feet wide and 23 feet high, requiring seamless color continuity and exact registration across multiple sections.
Each piece was carefully prepared and labeled for a smooth on-site application.

Sunday, October 12th – Scaffolding Setup

At 5:30 pm, the VIVAS crew arrived at the Hyde Street loading dock, coordinating with SFPL Engineering for safe access.
After the removal of the handrailing, scaffolding was assembled over the course of five hours, finishing late that night—ready for installation the next morning.

Monday, October 13th – Installation Day

Under the direction of Project Manager Jefferson Vertiz, the VIVAS installation team began work at 9:00 am.
Piece by piece, the vinyl mural was applied with careful alignment and flawless adhesion.
By mid-afternoon, the Library’s atrium wall had been transformed into a vivid statement celebrating the transmission of knowledge and cultural connection.
By evening, the scaffolding was dismantled and the space reopened—revealing a stunning addition to one of San Francisco’s most visited public spaces.