Volunteers help put the final touches to the mural on the south wall of Virginia Bakery.

Today, July 10, the final lick of paint and sealant will be applied to Berkeley’s newest mural. The foodie mural, being painted by an entirely voluntary crew of Berkeley residents, artists, community organizers and chefs on the south-facing wall of Virginia Bakery at 1690 Shattuck Avenue, is nearing completion as can be seen in the photographs here.

Artist David Stern-Gottfried has been directing the effort — also on a voluntary basis — and says he is pleased with how the artwork has turned out. He organized the project like a giant Paint-by-Numbers, so that even the most inexperienced painters could contribute to the mural under his guidance.

Stern-Gottfried is leaving town in a couple of days, but the hope is that he will return for an official unveiling and celebration to be held at some point, possibly with the participation of local restaurants in Gourmet Ghetto.

Artist David Stern-Gottfried, center, takes a moment to survey the mural.
Few of the mural painters were artists, but they worked under Stern-Gottfried's guidance.
The mural was painted using a Paint by Numbers approach with donated paint.

Photos: Tracey Taylor.

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Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside, the nonprofit parent to Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Before launching Berkeleyside, Tracey wrote for...