Pacific Pinball Museum Will Celebrate Late Oakland Muralist With Public Memorial

OAKLAND, CA — Dan Fontes, a beloved Bay Area artist who died from cancer in April, will be honored with a public memorial at the Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda on Friday.

The memorial, which is open to the public, will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. and will honor the Fontes' "life, brilliant career and lasting legacy," according to organizers.

"Dan gave so much color and joy to Oakland and the Bay Area," Kristine Holohan and Julie Lucchesi, who are hosting the event, said in a statement shared with Patch. "Let’s gather to remember him the best way we know how, with community, music, pinball, and love."

Along with the memorial, the city of Oakland will honor Fontes' impact on "the culture, beauty and vibrance of the city he loved so much," according to organizers.

Fontes was best known for his public installations, such as his most famous work, "Giraphics," which transformed the underbelly of the I-580 into a vibrant nature scene with giraffes and zebras. Another colossal work, "Emergent Sea Turtles," was done off the I-880.

He was also an avid pinball collector, Lucchesi said, and served on the Board of Directors at the Pinball Museum.

The beloved artist had been struggling with his health for some time, and his health began deteriorating early in the year.

Although he appeared to be getting "a little better each day," around March, Luchessi, Fontes' partner, previously told Patch.

The Pacific Pinball Museum announced his death in late April. Fontes was 67.

Dan's work can be found here.

The Pacific Pinball Museum is located at 1510 Webster St.