Hoovers Students Help Design MLK Banners
Students from Hoover Elementary School help design banners on Martin Luther King Jr. Way.
Last week our student-designed banners were installed on Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland. The students' involvement in the community banners project has been in development since January of 2019. The project was presented to AHC by the San Pablo Area Revitalization Collaborative (SPARC). It presented AHC with the opportunity to lead a beautification project that would have a lasting legacy in the Hoover-Foster community. The first and original theme of the banners was centered on community identity, whereas the second and final installment of banners pay homage to the great social justice activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The first set of banners were installed on San Pablo Avenue, between Brockhurst and 29th Street. The second set of banners are installed on Martin Luther King Jr. Way,
between 32nd and 29th Street.
San Pablo Avenue & 31st Street
The MLK banners were student-designed and led with the support of community members of Resident Action Council (RAC), primarily Ms. Annette Miller. The students from Hoover Elementary were offered the opportunity to submit an artistic rendition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an entry to win the opportunity to convert the artwork into a banner to be installed on MLK Jr. Way. Over forty student submissions were retrieved. A winner was selected unanimously by RAC.
Martin Luther King Jr. Way & 32nd Street
With the additional support of Gold Metropolitan Media and the City of Oakland, the MLK banners
were installed the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, just in time to celebrate and remember the
many teachings of one of the world's most iconic civil rights leaders. One year later, the entire process
has expanded and strengthened the community as a whole. Collaborative efforts were exercised and generational connections were established for years to come. - Eduardo Escobedo, ArtEsteem Instructor
ArtEsteem ArtMobile at the Lunar New Year Bazaar
The Lunar New Year Bazaar is an annual Oakland event. Through the ArtEsteem ArtMobile, AHC was able to be out in the streets, connecting with the community directly during the celebration.
AHC was excited to participate in the 2020 Lunar New Year Bazaar. Through the ArtEsteem ArtMobile, we were able to be out in the streets, connecting with the community directly during this annual celebration. The Lunar New Year Bazaar is a free annual event hosted in the heart of Oakland's Chinatown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. There is a cultural entertainment stage with live performances and over 80 vendors selling traditional new years decorations, flowers, candies, and gifts.
According to Chinese zodiac, 2020 is the year of the Metal Rat. AHC was able to customize an art project for the event; a temporary 5’ x 15’ mural featuring a metal rat, dragon and red Chinese lantern symbols. There was also face painting and coloring book activities for youth.
The holiday is traditionally a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. It is also a time to bring family together for feasting. The main Chinese Lunar New Year activities include: putting up decorations, eating reunion dinner with family on New Year's Eve, fireworks, and gifting red envelopes filled with money.
The ArtEsteem ArMobile is a fully-equipped mobile art classroom, and an extension of our award-winning arts education program, ArtEsteem. The vehicle has allowed us to extend our services outside the classroom and directly into the neighborhoods that need access to arts education. Since the launch of the ArtEsteem ArtMobile, we’ve been able to participate in over 41 community-based events, offering customized projects involving table crafts, painting, drawing, large murals, face painting and much more. With our knowledgeable staff and on-board sound system we can make your next school event, festival or private party one to remember!
Click here to book. - Jamie Sanitate, ArtMobile Manager
Check out the ArtEsteem ArtMobile in action at festivals, schools and
community-led conferences.
IMAGINARY WALLS Screening at AHC
Racism is a complex issue and at times seems irreparable. The new documentary, Imaginary Walls, explores how how our founders, Kokoman and Aeeshah Clottey, have successfully helped people move beyond racism in their own lives.
Thank you for joining us at our private screening of IMAGINARY WALLS at our space in West Oakland. It was a packed house, and we enjoyed the dialog
the film sparked within our community.
Racism is a complex issue and at times seems irreparable. IMAGINARY WALLS explores how how our founders, Kokoman and Aeeshah Clottey, have successfully helped people move beyond racism in their own lives. For over 30 years, the couple has lead racial healing circles, where a diverse group of people can gather, with the specific intention of discussing their experiences and feelings about race. Aeeshah and Kokomon provide an environment that is safe, open-minded, and free from judgment. They stress that racism is a construct of an ill society; a mass delusion, and no one need feel guilt or shame about what they have felt or done in the past. The past is just that: the past. It can be released, let go, and participants can move forward in their lives.
IMAGINARY WALLS was produced by Anita Casalina and initially released in November 2019. If you would like to watch the film, you can request a copy for private viewing through their website.
We hope the documentary engages the audience and inspires them to find a new outlook on their own lives and feelings. By supporting this film, you are supporting the idea that we can all have a healthier, happier state of mind.
You can participate in a racial healing circle the last Wednesday of every month at 7pm. Check out the event page for details.
❤️ AHC
After the screening, Aeeshah and Kokomon Clottey took questions from the audience. Photos by Martin Backhauss Sol Gate Studios.
Ending Gun Violence, an ArtEsteem and Vision Quilt Collaboration
Vision Quilt and ArtEsteem have come together because they believe that through the act of art-making and public expression Oakland youth can both heal from the trauma of gun violence and contribute to its prevention.
Health is inner peace. Healing is letting go of fear. This is one of the Principles of Attitudinal Healing, created by mental health professionals in Tiburon in the 70s to help children with life threatening illnesses use their minds to heal their bodies. For decades, ArtEsteem has utilized the power of these principles in art classes in Oakland to help young people address and heal from the life-threatening presence of racism and violence in their communities.
Students learn the 12 Principles of Attitudinal Healing. (click to enlarge)
Today, gun violence is a national epidemic, and the United States is suffering deeply from its wounds. Every year, nearly 3,000 children and teens (ages 0 to 19) are shot and killed and approximately 15,600 are shot and injured. On average, 51 American children and teens are shot every day. In a recent national poll, 75 percent of high school students aged 15 to 17 cited mass shootings as a primary source of stress, and more than one in five reported that the possibility of a shooting at the school is a source of stress on a day-to-day basis. In a time when our children are needed to create a better future for their communities and the world, they are traumatized and anxious for their safety. How can young people embody things like hope and peace when they are busy recovering from trauma and their future is so uncertain? Can our youth use their minds to heal not just their minds and bodies, but their communities from the root causes of gun violence?
Members of the non-profit Vision Quilt work on design samples for students
Vision Quilt and ArtEsteem have come together because they believe that through the act of art-making and public expression Oakland youth can both heal from the trauma of gun violence and contribute to its prevention. Daytime art sessions are taught by seasoned artists with the aid of circles, talking pieces and the Principles of Attitudinal Healing. We have chosen the collaborative quilt as the form to follow, for its association with family, comfort, community, nurture, protection and recovery. The textile curriculum offers exposure to art and craft techniques like applique, lettering and portraiture, as well an encounter with the great talent of American quilters like Oakland's own Marion Coleman (recently deceased), Faith Ringgold, Jesse Telfare, and Bisa Butler, whose quilts tell stories, honor individuals, and send urgent messages.
The youth learn design fundamentals
Student cuts out her first design (West Oakland Middle School)
We are also grateful to have the support of local activists, such as Marilyn Washington Harris from the Khadafy Washington Foundation. Ms. Harris lost her son to gun violence in West Oakland almost 20 years ago, and created the Khadafy Washington Foundation out of an urgent need for resources serving victim’s survivors. During her visit, we learned that nearly 70% of students enrolled in our program had directly been affected by gun violence. They shared their stories and were given space to strategize solutions. Our Oakland students will be delivering their stories and messages to the nation when their school quilt is exhibited locally, and nationally with other Vision Quilt art submissions across the country.
Marilyn Washington Harris from the Khadafy Washington Foundation visits our program
Ms. Nan writes down suggestions from our students…“Protect Our Youth” and “Secrets Don’t Help People”
Keep your eyes on Vision Quilt. It was born of inspiration from the 54 tons of quilts created during the AIDS epidemic, and is actively accepting commissions of quilt panels on the subject of gun violence prevention from artists of all ages. Through this national organization our youth have an opportunity to join forces and voices with the many youth around the country that have mobilized to effect change in public policy, gun ownership laws, gun safety efforts and help to create ways.to encourage a culture of acceptance and watchfulness in school communities to help prevent school shootings.
Right: Images curtesy of Vision Quilt
If you are local to the East Bay you may recognize the work of ArtEsteem for the beauty and creativity that their students, with support from OUSD and the City of Oakland, have brought to our streets in the form of storytelling murals under the freeway at San Pablo, Market and West Streets in West Oakland at the Emeryville border. ArtEsteem has been offering art classes and workshops to students in the Bay area for over 20 years. Their programs promote personal empowerment, a deepened understanding of the structural challenges of racism and violence in our communities, and help our youth to create a path to personal and collective healing and a toolkit for problem solving and prevention.
Part of the ArtEsteem Mural (click to enlarge)
ArtEsteem student with self-portrait
Nan Eastep, October 2019
Nan is a teaching artist and board member of AHC. She brings expertise and experience in fiber arts, textiles, handcraft tailoring and industrial design. Eastep is also co-founder of City Slicker Farms in West Oakland.
Thank You to the Cultural Funding Program for making this work possible. To find out more visit the CFP Grant page.
West Oakland Youth Advocate for Environmental Justice
We're excited to start our fourth year of West Oakland Legacy Project. This year, we'll be starting off at the Bioneers Conference; a yearly environmental gathering featuring activists, artists, musicians, and environmental specialists.
The youth watched teen environmental activist Greta Thunberg give a passionate speech to the United Nations last Tuesday.
We're so excited to start our fourth year of West Oakland Legacy & Leadership Project! This year, we'll be starting off at the Bioneers Conference; a yearly environmental gathering featuring activists, artists, musicians, and environmental specialists from around the world. Advocating for environmental justice is crucial for our community, as we know that residents of West Oakland are subjected to almost 3 times the average
air pollution in the bay area. We will be presenting a workshop titled Self
as Super Hero, Dream City Edition. The workshop is based on
Self As Super Hero, Handbook on Creating the Life-Size Self-Portrait
by AHC Executive Director Amana Harris.
We will also be bringing the ArtEsteem ArtMobile to the conference, creating a space for screen printing youth-made designs relating to environmental justice.
From top: “We Stand On The Shoulders of Giants…We Grow Their Seeds.” Design example for the Bioneers screen printing project. •Nirali Bhakta returns to WOLLP for a second year • College students from
CCA help out for the day.
After the Bioneers bonanza, we will be moving into our ROOTS unit, where students will explore their own ancestry, elders' stories, and histories of the land they live on. Throughout this interdisciplinary program, our students will root themselves more deeply in who they are and where they came from, so their activism and identities can be grounded in the stories of people who love them. We will be producing a final multi-media digital art piece, featuring interviews that youth conducted with community and family elders.
We are also excited to begin on our garden, which has become very overgrown since we last worked on it during the summer. Our garden will address a very real issue in our community; the lack of exposure to fresh foods and sustainable practices. With a population of over 25,000 and only 2 full-scale grocery stores in the neighborhood, West Oakland has long been classified as a food desert. We will be weeding 6 ft. tall grasses, and bolted crops to make space for new seeds in our vegetable garden! Students will choose culturally relevant foods, asking their families what they used to grow, in order to inform our crop plan for the garden. This truly does round out our ROOTS curriculum, as we will be putting literal roots in the ground, as we grow food in the ways our ancestors did.
Chard, kale and flowers in our garden located at City Slicker Farms.
Neeka Salmasi, October 2019
Neeka is the head coordinator for West Oakland Legacy & Leadership Project (WOLLP). She can be reached at neeka@ahc-oakland.org
Thank You, ArtEsteem Exhibition 2019
Thank you for gracing us with your presence, smiles, cheers and accolades at AHC's 21st Annual ArtEsteem Exhibition! ArtEsteem students put their heart and soul into their artwork and we had one of our most successful exhibition openings to date.
ArtEsteem students from Hoover Elementary School in Oakland.
Friends, families and community allies!
Thank you for gracing us with your presence, smiles, cheers and accolades at AHC's 21st Annual ArtEsteem Exhibition! ArtEsteem students put their heart and soul into their artwork and we had one of our most successful exhibition openings to date. We are so appreciative of AHC volunteers who worked with passion to engage our young people and make this event a success!
ArtEsteem instructor “Mr. Justin” with family
Life-sized self portrait by ArtEsteem student Isabella Alonzo, “Let Us In”
WOLP Celebrates Mother Earth
Students were all smiles on Saturday’s Earth Day event at DeFermery Park where they spoke to crowds on the some of the environment’s most pressing issues.
West Oakland Legacy Project (WOLP) students were all smiles on Saturday’s Earth Day event at DeFermery Park where they spoke to gliding crowds on the some of the environment’s most pressing issues. WOLP students have gained much knowledge on local, national and global environmental catastrophes that has damaged the Earth’s health and with that, human and creatures alike.
Earth Day served as a wonderful opportunity for students to raise awareness on some of the issues they felt most passionate of and build confidence while doing so. The WOLP students have greatly improved in public speaking over the year and events such as these ones provide students like Enoch, pictured above, to showcase their growing skills.
CSCE Family Adds To Their Garden
This past Saturday at The Community School for Creative Education (CSCE) we got our green thumb on for the Annual Garden Clean-Up that was led by AHC and CSCE Board of Directors, and Dr. Oberman.
This past Saturday at The Community School for Creative Education (CSCE) we got our green thumb on for the Annual Garden Clean-Up that was led by AHC and CSCE Board of Directors, and Dr. Oberman. CSCE families and students planted new vegetation such as kale, lettuce, and tomatoes.
Staff member Malcolm, pictured to the right, assists a student shoveling new fertilizer into the planters-box.
Pictured here are students and volunteers planting some new veggies into the planter-box.
Another wonderful day for our students to learn the fundamentals of urban farming and the importance of learning how to nurture living things that can in-turn nurture and nourish ourselves. The students can now carry this knowledge with them for years to come, to practice and to share with others.
Mindful Drumming Circles at AHC
Mindful Drumming is a way to connect straight to the heart. The ancient art of synchronistic rhythms and sounds can be used for healing and for unleashing the spirit of human potential. Benefits include:
Increased Productivity and Wellness
Improved Communication
Effective Stress Reduction
Self Esteem Building
The last Friday of every month we host Mindful Drumming Circles at AHC. No prior knowledge is required and drums will be provided. This is a free class, but we appreciate donations. Check our upcoming events page to keep up to date.
If you are interested in private sessions or team building contact AHC by calling 510-652-5530 or email info (at) ahc-oakland.org.
Super Heroes in Progress
We are more than halfway through the Super Heroes project at AHC. Students have been studying social justice issues that are important to them, and designing life-sized self portraits that relate to their cause. Each painting exists not only as an art piece, but as a call for social change.
The finished pieces will be on display at our upcoming ArtEsteem Exhibition on May 18th. The annual ArtEsteem Exhibition is always one of our highlights of the year. You can see the full details on our event page.
ArtEsteem instructor Justin Mullon teaches some basic illustration techniques.
