Established in memory of Grateful Dead guitarist and founding Rex board member Jerry Garcia (1942-1995), this award is designed to honor and support individuals and groups that work to encourage creativity in young people. As Jerry was himself a visual artist as well as a musician, and a native of San Francisco with a special relationship with the Mission District, it is altogether appropriate that San Francisco's Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center is the first honoree.

Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center, a non-profit community center located in San Francisco's Mission district, works with artists, muralists, community organizations and individuals to produce murals that inspire and beautify the city. The mission of Precita Eyes is to make art accessible through creating murals on the streets, conducting walking mural tours of the Mission District, and coordinating weekly art classes at the center for toddlers, kids, youth and adults.

For over 19 years, Precita Eyes has been accomplishing its mission with volunteer leadership and low-paid staff. The Center has achieved national recognition for its approach to the mural process, interactive teaching methods, and for classes and projects that integrate learning and job skills for underprivileged youth. Through its mural tour program and hands-on projects, Precita Eyes has encouraged cultural awareness of the mural tradition in the Mission community. The Center brings together young and old committed to self- exploration, and community-building through the arts.

For Further Information contact:
Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center
348 Precita Ave., San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 285-2287