The Fine Art of Painting Walls: Grand, Broadway

Muralists are brightening up the streetscape in business districts close to Piedmont.

The "Venice" mural is on Davidson Way, an alley off Grand Avenue between Weldon Avenue and Mandana Boulevard (across the street from , 3601 Grand Ave., Oakland). It's believed to be the work of Oakland artist Peter Lee, whose paintings also adorn the , Holy Land Restaurant and Gan Mah Tov preschool at Beth Jacob Congregation.

Artist Stefen created two murals near the intersection of Broadway and Pleasant Valley Road (51st Street) for Broadway Pet Hospital, 4920 Broadway, Oakland. The large mural at the corner depicts cats, dogs and other animals at Lake Merritt. The other, next to the hospital's offices, features the Oakland Hills.

For East Bay oldtimers, is the artist who painted the long-gone "Dutch Boy" mural at the corner of Milvia Street and University Avenue in Berkeley. After a three-year run, it was removed by a new restaurant that moved into the building.

You can learn more about Stefen at the artist's website.

For a look at murals on Piedmont Avenue, see .