Back Row: Alexandria Cuevas, Emily Esperanza, Jose Ramirez, Blue Aerial Bergen, Kaitlyn Rose, Jessica Morits, Justin Carlisle-Angrad III. Front Row: Alexander Wesley, Monserrat Armendaris-Ibarraia, Tony Luangrath, Tessa Cruz, Breama Bennett. Seated: Beante Young, Draya Hale-Hunter. Not Pictured: Avery Clifton, Danielle Glick-Scroggins, Niles Washington, L. Woods.

The Fox Courts mural project was a very invigorating and enriching experience. Our class learned many valuable lessons on not only mural making, but on teamwork and cooperation. We started the process by studying historical and tribal symbols and patterns. Learning about symbols and visual interpretation allowed us to appreciate these icons present in our daily lives, and taught us how to inject them in our artwork.

Through this project we discovered how collaborating with others can serve as a useful source of inspiration and social learning. Some of the challenges we faced involved the enlargement of small images, the importance of composition, the distribution of color and shadow, and discretion for an appropriate audience.

As an art school OSA is thankful for this enlightening journey of teaching our class the art of mural making. We now know how much thought and hard work goes into producing murals and can now appreciate and cherish these crucial and beautiful works of public art.

- Emily Esperanza, Tessa Cruz

The mural theme harnesses the creativity of young artists from the School for the Arts and draws inspiration from the Fox Court’s role as an anchor in the revitalization of the Uptown neighborhood. The theme combines the spirit of the apartment residents, the artistry of the arts tenant, the Fox Theater, OSA, and the cultural traditions of Oakland residents.

The project presents an extraordinary opportunity to involve young artists in a meaningful art education experience. Studio workshops held at OSA in April and May 2009 developed the initial designs. Students learned basic composition and contributed original designs to a public mural in their multicultural community. Students experienced the monumental scale of public art and learned the mystery of enlarging designs by assisting in the production of pounce patterns to be used to transfer the final design directly on the wall in July and August 2009.

Community muralists Eduardo Pineda and Joaquin Alejandro Newman directed the project and worked with OSA teachers Andrew Junge and Heidi Cregge. The project sponsors are Resources for Community Development and Pyatok Architects, Inc.