Fremont High Healthy Cafeteria Mural In the Works

The Health and Wellness Center at Fremont High recently reached out to The Community Rejuvenation Project about painting a mural in the cafeteria. Desi W.O.M.E. and The CRP have embarked on painting the cafeteria with a design that incorporates people and cultures indigenous to Oakland. The mural includes affirmative messages about health and wellness, as well as figures participating in a variety of activities. The verbal and visual messages are meant to be easily digestible, and the piece is meant to be finished by tomorrow in time for the opening of Summer School.

Artists involved are Desi W.O.M.E., Beats737, Pancho, Dave, Ente, and Mike360. Stay tuned for pictures of the final work!

Matilda Cleveland Mural with Redwood Day School

Photos by Jen Ammenti and Redwood Day Students

Redwood Day School students have been volunteering in the Garden at the Matilda Cleveland Center throughout the year. The students decided that they wanted to contribute a mural to the site as well. So on Friday, June 3, the group meet up with CRP to create a mural in 2 hrs. The students had never spray painted before but they were quick to pick up the basics. We started by blending colors to create a sunset. Then we utilized a technique taught by Lavie Raven of the University of Hip-Hop of tracing the students on the wall and drawing in silhouettes. Finally we drew in the words "Matilda Cleveland" at the center and added some plant life at the bottom. Everyone was amazed by how quickly the mural was produced and happy with the results.

60th & MacArthur - Day 5

Photos by Desi and Salma

Today was the last official day of the Arrow-Soul Council program. Everyone in the class seemed to feel a greater sense of purpose and urgency because the entire group stepped up and remained on task for the entire session. The group has begun feeling a sense of the entire project and their ownership of it. I (Desi) have maintained a mainly hands off approach throughout the project, allowing the youth to do their own styles, make their own mistakes and learn through experience. Its hard not to step in when the going gets tough or when the task appears too far beyond their experience level. Still, the Council stepped up in all cases, overcoming their fears despite the initial whining and crying. Looking back at the first days of the program, it was easy to see that we have come a long way.

Saturday is the final day for the project and we will be there as long as it takes. Come through if you can and check us out.

One.

Desi W.O.M.E.
Facilitator, Arrow-Soul Council