Muralist Laura Campos is raising funds to paint a mural honoring Father Richard Purcell, a Franciscan priest who founded Marty's Place, a shelter for homeless people dying of AIDS. The mural features a Tree of Life inspired by Frida Kahlo, with donors' names embedded into the design.
Chapters
My name is Laura Campos, and I'm a muralist here in the Mission District in San Francisco. I was asked to do a mural to honor my friend, Father Richard Purcell. 2 days before he died of Lou Gehrig's disease, he asked for this mural to be painted in his memory. I'm deeply honored and grateful to be able to fulfill this wish. I really hope that you will join me to make this a reality. Your donations are needed to buy acrylic paints, brushes, sealers, etc. With your donations, we will make this project come true. Father Richard, a Franciscan priest, came to San Francisco from Arizona in 1980 after finding out his younger brother died of AIDS. That's when he decided to open up a home named Marty's Place honor his younger brother. This became a shelter for all the homeless people that were dying of AIDS and had nowhere else to go. He gave love and compassion to all, a place where they could belong. Richard really had a great sense of humor. People liked being around him. Last year for his birthday, there was a huge line just to get to see him. This mural is inspired by Frida Kahlo's work, one of Richard's favorite artists. Frida Kahlo tends to paint with very rich, powerful colors. On the top of the tree, you see a chest that's opened up as a heart shape that was representing of the love and passion that Richard had towards others. On the bottom of the tree, there is a dead person. Even in death, he's still giving life, just like Richard used to. Join me Please donate and make this project complete. With your donations, we will be embedding your name into the Tree of Life so you too can be part of this mural project. Please donate. Thank you. Thank you.
