Virginia Benavidez, 57, left Mission District legacy of art and altars over decades

By Lauren Rubin

Famed local artist Virginia Benavidez passed away October 22, 2009, a few days after completing her contribution to SOMArts’s Dia de los Muertos exhibit.

Benavidez was known around the Mission for her upbeat attitude, warm personality, and fabulous artwork. She was born on December 25, 1951, and passed away just over two months shy of her 58th birthday. She leaves behind 10 siblings, 21 nieces and nephews, and an entire community of friends and loved ones.

She began contributing to SOMA’s Dia de los Muertos exhibit in 1980, and has been dedicated to filling the walls of the cultural center with exhibits, including Moments in Time From the 20th Century, featuring local members of the gay and lesbian community.

While she is best known for her photography, she also created other forms of art such as paintings, sculptures and, commonly seen in October, altars honoring loved ones who had passed on, including her mother Consuelo L. Hidalgo, brother Salvador Benavidez and nephew Antonio Orozco Jr.

Benavidez grew up in Stockton, California, hailing from a large family. She moved to the Mission to further her love of art, choosing one of the most culturally diverse sections of the city to call home.

Art is displayed in many shapes and sizes in the Mission from murals painted on many of the buildings the buildings themselves. The Mission is full of life and history, and she spent her days capturing this art and culture so that generations to come will be able to view existence in the mission through her eyes, dating back to the 1970’s.

Donations may be made in Virginia's name to the SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan ST, S.F., CA 94103.