California Partnership for the Future of Learning Art Gallery
In Spring 2021, California Partnership for the Future of Learning commissioned eight artists from around California to create original work to spark the public’s ability to reimagine the power and potential of schools to be hubs of opportunity, healing, and learning for all. Working in a variety of mediums, our artist partners uplifted their dreams and visions for a racially just school system that meets the unique needs of every student, family, and community. This artwork is a powerful representation of the Partnership's campaign to Reimagine and Rebuild our schools so that every student, family, and educator thrives
About the Artist
Brandie Bowen is a Bay Area artist, community organizer, educator, and writer. She is also a proud Auntie and is deeply inspired by the radical love and imagination of her nieces, nephews, and students. She hopes the joy and reckoning behind her art sparks action toward liberating possibilities in our everyday lives, communities, and systems.
Artist Statement
These pieces are inspired by Partners for Learning's deep commitment to fighting for racially just schools. In the face of a public education system that has historically marginalized BIPOC students and severely underfunded their education, these illustrations imagine the joyful ascension that can occur when schools become transformative places for youth to thrive and abolish the oppressive limits set out for them. This kind of healing and transformative change begins with the power and voices of students and families. Safe returns to campuses give us a chance to reimagine our schools better than how we left them and to move towards recovery and restoration. These pieces call forth schools that foster unbridled BIPOC imagination and build spaces for deep learning, connection, and equitable opportunities.
Social Media:
Instagram @brandiefull
About the Artist
Brandie Bowen is a Bay Area artist, community organizer, educator, and writer. She is also a proud Auntie and is deeply inspired by the radical love and imagination of her nieces, nephews, and students. She hopes the joy and reckoning behind her art sparks action toward liberating possibilities in our everyday lives, communities, and systems.
Artist Statement
These pieces are inspired by Partners for Learning's deep commitment to fighting for racially just schools. In the face of a public education system that has historically marginalized BIPOC students and severely underfunded their education, these illustrations imagine the joyful ascension that can occur when schools become transformative places for youth to thrive and abolish the oppressive limits set out for them. This kind of healing and transformative change begins with the power and voices of students and families. Safe returns to campuses give us a chance to reimagine our schools better than how we left them and to move towards recovery and restoration. These pieces call forth schools that foster unbridled BIPOC imagination and build spaces for deep learning, connection, and equitable opportunities.
Social Media:
Instagram @brandiefull
About the Artist
Brandie Bowen is a Bay Area artist, community organizer, educator, and writer. She is also a proud Auntie and is deeply inspired by the radical love and imagination of her nieces, nephews, and students. She hopes the joy and reckoning behind her art sparks action toward liberating possibilities in our everyday lives, communities, and systems.
Artist Statement
These pieces are inspired by Partners for Learning's deep commitment to fighting for racially just schools. In the face of a public education system that has historically marginalized BIPOC students and severely underfunded their education, these illustrations imagine the joyful ascension that can occur when schools become transformative places for youth to thrive and abolish the oppressive limits set out for them. This kind of healing and transformative change begins with the power and voices of students and families. Safe returns to campuses give us a chance to reimagine our schools better than how we left them and to move towards recovery and restoration. These pieces call forth schools that foster unbridled BIPOC imagination and build spaces for deep learning, connection, and equitable opportunities.
Social Media:
Instagram @brandiefull
About the Artist
Adrienne is a community organizer and artist based in Fresno, CA and the co-founder of Expresarte Cultural Wellness Collective. She was raised in the Coachella Valley and moved to the Central Valley in the middle of 2016. Although not a native to the area, she considers the Central Valley her home just as much as the Desert. She advocates for her community to move forward together through transformative justice, healing and abolition. No stranger to technology, she is also an advocate for digital organizing, as a great addition to traditional grassroots organizing.
Artist Statement
It’s no secret that the public school systems have failed so many of our youth. It continues to fail them throughout the course of the pandemic. Students have suffered a collective trauma after already being subjected to an inequitable system. So, allowing healing to happen is the first step. Here in Fresno, there is a huge disparity across the district, and a complete overhaul of the system is so needed. Racism runs rampant through administration and the most affected students are denied the services they need and continue to fall behind.
Social Media:
Instagram: @adzca
About the Artist
Adrienne is a community organizer and artist based in Fresno, CA and the co-founder of Expresarte Cultural Wellness Collective. She was raised in the Coachella Valley and moved to the Central Valley in the middle of 2016. Although not a native to the area, she considers the Central Valley her home just as much as the Desert. She advocates for her community to move forward together through transformative justice, healing and abolition. No stranger to technology, she is also an advocate for digital organizing, as a great addition to traditional grassroots organizing.
Artist Statement
It’s no secret that the public school systems have failed so many of our youth. It continues to fail them throughout the course of the pandemic. Students have suffered a collective trauma after already being subjected to an inequitable system. So, allowing healing to happen is the first step. Here in Fresno, there is a huge disparity across the district, and a complete overhaul of the system is so needed. Racism runs rampant through administration and the most affected students are denied the services they need and continue to fall behind.
Social Media:
Instagram: @adzca
About the Artist
My name is Bianca and my artist profile name on Instagram is Samruvian. I am a first generation college student who was raised in Los Angeles. I am a student by day and UPS loader by night. I have a heavy interest in music, specifically hip hop and a heavy interest in street art. These are two elements that have surrounded me growing up that inspire me. I take pride in being Samoan and Peruvian. I hope to continue to learn from my cultures and portray them throughout my artistic journey.
Artist Statement
My two original pieces that I have submitted, reflect hybrid learning, positive messages and the importance of participation. I depict that we are capable of growth and shining our knowledge amongst our community. Gloria Anzaldua and RZA have both written inspiring books that I have quoted in one of my pieces. My hope is to rekindle the light in all of us so that we can be beacons of light in our community. Positive energy will motivate our youth and leaders to voice their needs and promote positive reform in our school system that benefits each community.
Social Media:
Instagram: @ Samruvian
About the Artist
My name is Bianca and my artist profile name on Instagram is Samruvian. I am a first generation college student who was raised in Los Angeles. I am a student by day and UPS loader by night. I have a heavy interest in music, specifically hip hop and a heavy interest in street art. These are two elements that have surrounded me growing up that inspire me. I take pride in being Samoan and Peruvian. I hope to continue to learn from my cultures and portray them throughout my artistic journey.
Artist Statement
My two original pieces that I have submitted, reflect hybrid learning, positive messages and the importance of participation. I depict that we are capable of growth and shining our knowledge amongst our community. Gloria Anzaldua and RZA have both written inspiring books that I have quoted in one of my pieces. My hope is to rekindle the light in all of us so that we can be beacons of light in our community. Positive energy will motivate our youth and leaders to voice their needs and promote positive reform in our school system that benefits each community.
Social Media:
Instagram: @ Samruvian
About the Artist
Chamina Dormitorio is a high school student studying Digital Media at the Orange County School of the Arts. She is a third-generation Filipino-American with an affinity for the humanities and the arts, and hopes to see a future where members of marginalized communities have equitable access to an education that serves their varied needs.
Artist Statement
For my two pieces, I wanted to depict two aspects that I believe are crucial to the development of a bold and inspiring future. The first of those aspects was groundedness— having the presence of mind to know who you are and where you came from. I chose to emphasize the theme of community and nature in this piece. The second of those aspects was innovation— having the courage to create new and radical ideas to better suit the needs of the people. I chose to emphasize the theme of student-centeredness and space in this piece.
Social Media:
Instagram: @blewseas
About the Artist
Chamina Dormitorio is a high school student studying Digital Media at the Orange County School of the Arts. She is a third-generation Filipino-American with an affinity for the humanities and the arts, and hopes to see a future where members of marginalized communities have equitable access to an education that serves their varied needs.
Artist Statement
For my two pieces, I wanted to depict two aspects that I believe are crucial to the development of a bold and inspiring future. The first of those aspects was groundedness— having the presence of mind to know who you are and where you came from. I chose to emphasize the theme of community and nature in this piece. The second of those aspects was innovation— having the courage to create new and radical ideas to better suit the needs of the people. I chose to emphasize the theme of student-centeredness and space in this piece.
Social Media:
Instagram: @blewseas
About the Artist
Chelsea Chhem grew up at the heart of Long Beach, California. As the daughter of refugee parents, her art is linked to her identity as a Cambodian American. Throughout high school, she was part of Khmer Girls in Action. A grassroots organization for Southeast Asian youth to fight racial, gender, and economic justice. For Chelsea, one of the most instrumental moments was giving her the opportunity to design their campaign logo and the first volume of their coloring book. Her art continues these core principles. For her, art must be political, representative, and insinuate a culture of change and progress.
Artist Statement
The first image depicts a school identification card of a young student. Rather than relying on barcodes and numbers, the student is identified by their hopes, wants, and needs. This speaks to a larger issue of acknowledging the student voice in the school system in order to create a genuine change. The second image is of a student falling out of her school from the sky as she metaphorically graduates. In the fall comes out all the things she has learned in school. What comes out are elements hoping to reshape the framework of traditional school and inspire future change.
Social Media:
Instagram: @chhelseabearca
About the Artist
Chelsea Chhem grew up at the heart of Long Beach, California. As the daughter of refugee parents, her art is linked to her identity as a Cambodian American. Throughout high school, she was part of Khmer Girls in Action. A grassroots organization for Southeast Asian youth to fight racial, gender, and economic justice. For Chelsea, one of the most instrumental moments was giving her the opportunity to design their campaign logo and the first volume of their coloring book. Her art continues these core principles. For her, art must be political, representative, and insinuate a culture of change and progress.
Artist Statement
The first image depicts a school identification card of a young student. Rather than relying on barcodes and numbers, the student is identified by their hopes, wants, and needs. This speaks to a larger issue of acknowledging the student voice in the school system in order to create a genuine change. The second image is of a student falling out of her school from the sky as she metaphorically graduates. In the fall comes out all the things she has learned in school. What comes out are elements hoping to reshape the framework of traditional school and inspire future change.
Social Media:
Instagram: @chhelseabearca
About the Artist
Innosanto Nagara is a long-time activist graphic artist and the founding member of Design Action Collective, a graphic design and visual communications studio that serves the movement for social change. He is also an author and illustrator of children’s books, including A is for Activist and his most recent book, Oh, the Things We’re For!. Inno is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, and now lives in Oakland, California. He is a parent to an OUSD middle school student.
Artist Statement
In 2020, Californians for Justice student action research asked 1,000 high school students in Long Beach, Fresno, Oakland, and San Jose. 87% of those surveyed identify as students of color to share what matters most to them now and in their long-term vision for schools. Working with interviews, focus groups and vetted by a diverse group of families, educators and school staff, researchers, and civil rights and equity advocates, the results were distilled to these six recommendations: Restorative Restart, Mental Health and Wellness, Student Voices, Racial Equity in Curriculum & Teaching, Relationships Between Students and Staff, and High School Redesign. These demands and the specific policy recommendations identified to support them are what I’m hoping to amplify through this series of posters.
Social Media:
Instagram: @innosantonagaraca
About the Artist
Innosanto Nagara is a long-time activist graphic artist and the founding member of Design Action Collective, a graphic design and visual communications studio that serves the movement for social change. He is also an author and illustrator of children’s books, including A is for Activist and his most recent book, Oh, the Things We’re For!. Inno is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, and now lives in Oakland, California. He is a parent to an OUSD middle school student.
Artist Statement
In 2020, Californians for Justice student action research asked 1,000 high school students in Long Beach, Fresno, Oakland, and San Jose. 87% of those surveyed identify as students of color to share what matters most to them now and in their long-term vision for schools. Working with interviews, focus groups and vetted by a diverse group of families, educators and school staff, researchers, and civil rights and equity advocates, the results were distilled to these six recommendations: Restorative Restart, Mental Health and Wellness, Student Voices, Racial Equity in Curriculum & Teaching, Relationships Between Students and Staff, and High School Redesign. These demands and the specific policy recommendations identified to support them are what I’m hoping to amplify through this series of posters.
Social Media:
Instagram: @innosantonagaraca
About the Artist
Innosanto Nagara is a long-time activist graphic artist and the founding member of Design Action Collective, a graphic design and visual communications studio that serves the movement for social change. He is also an author and illustrator of children’s books, including A is for Activist and his most recent book, Oh, the Things We’re For!. Inno is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, and now lives in Oakland, California. He is a parent to an OUSD middle school student.
Artist Statement
In 2020, Californians for Justice student action research asked 1,000 high school students in Long Beach, Fresno, Oakland, and San Jose. 87% of those surveyed identify as students of color to share what matters most to them now and in their long-term vision for schools. Working with interviews, focus groups and vetted by a diverse group of families, educators and school staff, researchers, and civil rights and equity advocates, the results were distilled to these six recommendations: Restorative Restart, Mental Health and Wellness, Student Voices, Racial Equity in Curriculum & Teaching, Relationships Between Students and Staff, and High School Redesign. These demands and the specific policy recommendations identified to support them are what I’m hoping to amplify through this series of posters.
Social Media:
Instagram: @innosantonagaraca
About the Artist
Innosanto Nagara is a long-time activist graphic artist and the founding member of Design Action Collective, a graphic design and visual communications studio that serves the movement for social change. He is also an author and illustrator of children’s books, including A is for Activist and his most recent book, Oh, the Things We’re For!. Inno is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, and now lives in Oakland, California. He is a parent to an OUSD middle school student.
Artist Statement
In 2020, Californians for Justice student action research asked 1,000 high school students in Long Beach, Fresno, Oakland, and San Jose. 87% of those surveyed identify as students of color to share what matters most to them now and in their long-term vision for schools. Working with interviews, focus groups and vetted by a diverse group of families, educators and school staff, researchers, and civil rights and equity advocates, the results were distilled to these six recommendations: Restorative Restart, Mental Health and Wellness, Student Voices, Racial Equity in Curriculum & Teaching, Relationships Between Students and Staff, and High School Redesign. These demands and the specific policy recommendations identified to support them are what I’m hoping to amplify through this series of posters.
Social Media:
Instagram: @innosantonagaraca
About the Artist
Innosanto Nagara is a long-time activist graphic artist and the founding member of Design Action Collective, a graphic design and visual communications studio that serves the movement for social change. He is also an author and illustrator of children’s books, including A is for Activist and his most recent book, Oh, the Things We’re For!. Inno is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, and now lives in Oakland, California. He is a parent to an OUSD middle school student.
Artist Statement
In 2020, Californians for Justice student action research asked 1,000 high school students in Long Beach, Fresno, Oakland, and San Jose. 87% of those surveyed identify as students of color to share what matters most to them now and in their long-term vision for schools. Working with interviews, focus groups and vetted by a diverse group of families, educators and school staff, researchers, and civil rights and equity advocates, the results were distilled to these six recommendations: Restorative Restart, Mental Health and Wellness, Student Voices, Racial Equity in Curriculum & Teaching, Relationships Between Students and Staff, and High School Redesign. These demands and the specific policy recommendations identified to support them are what I’m hoping to amplify through this series of posters.
Social Media:
Instagram: @innosantonagaraca
About the Artist
Innosanto Nagara is a long-time activist graphic artist and the founding member of Design Action Collective, a graphic design and visual communications studio that serves the movement for social change. He is also an author and illustrator of children’s books, including A is for Activist and his most recent book, Oh, the Things We’re For!. Inno is originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, and now lives in Oakland, California. He is a parent to an OUSD middle school student.
Artist Statement
In 2020, Californians for Justice student action research asked 1,000 high school students in Long Beach, Fresno, Oakland, and San Jose. 87% of those surveyed identify as students of color to share what matters most to them now and in their long-term vision for schools. Working with interviews, focus groups and vetted by a diverse group of families, educators and school staff, researchers, and civil rights and equity advocates, the results were distilled to these six recommendations: Restorative Restart, Mental Health and Wellness, Student Voices, Racial Equity in Curriculum & Teaching, Relationships Between Students and Staff, and High School Redesign. These demands and the specific policy recommendations identified to support them are what I’m hoping to amplify through this series of posters.
Social Media:
Instagram: @innosantonagaraca
About the Artist
Jada Wong is an San Jose based artist with focus in using art to initiate change and reform. She believes art is universal and the perfect vehicle to voice her opinions as well as others in the community that are less heard. Jada is an aspiring illustrator and hopes to diversify the stories told for the next generation, because everyone deserves to see themselves represented and know they belong.
Artist Statement
In these pieces, I wanted to emphasize that schools should be accessible and welcoming to all, and enough resources and support should be available to all kids no matter their race, income, or disability. Lessons should be able to be adapted to students' needs. Not everyone learns the same but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have the capability to learn. School should be a building that houses community, safe spaces, and a free environment for kids
Learning is Inclusive - Learning is inclusive so why aren't our schools? Children should imagine with others that are different than them. Especially with differently abled kids, it is beneficial for typical and non typical students to have combined play and learning time. School should be a place where all abilities are welcomed and celebrated.
Social Media:
Instagram: @jadawongg
a print example is also available for download here
About the Artist
Jada Wong is an San Jose based artist with focus in using art to initiate change and reform. She believes art is universal and the perfect vehicle to voice her opinions as well as others in the community that are less heard. Jada is an aspiring illustrator and hopes to diversify the stories told for the next generation, because everyone deserves to see themselves represented and know they belong.
Artist Statement
In these pieces, I wanted to emphasize that schools should be accessible and welcoming to all, and enough resources and support should be available to all kids no matter their race, income, or disability. Lessons should be able to be adapted to students' needs. Not everyone learns the same but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have the capability to learn. School should be a building that houses community, safe spaces, and a free environment for kids
School: A Place For All - Every child deserves to have a place to explore and grow their mind no matter their race, disability, or income. All kids have potential so why do we not give them the resources they need? If we truly care about the kids of the future let’s enrich and protect the place we send them to every day.
Social Media:
Instagram: @jadawongg
About the Artist
Zou is a Sudanese/Nubian-American writer, spoken word poet, MC, and community organizer from West Oakland. His art is strictly based on true events and mostly aims at addressing real problems within his community. He seeks to shed light on injustices that plague the places he calls home. All the while speaking from his personal point of view on maneuvering adolescence growing up in West Oakland. His dream is to uplift his community and inspire change with the aid of his artistic expression
Artist Statement
Poem One: “Outta Pocket”
I wrote this poem to speak on the different forms of neglect that I've witnessed in the Oakland Unified School District. From neglecting the infrastructure to neglecting the children. It speaks on the lack of teachers coming from the same communities as the youth they are teaching and the effects it has on the youths' education. It brings attention to excessive force used on students of color. It speaks on inner city schools being overcrowded with students and police while simultaneously being robbed of proper funding.
Social Media:
Instagram: @Mekzzou
About the Artist
Zou is a Sudanese/Nubian-American writer, spoken word poet, MC, and community organizer from West Oakland. His art is strictly based on true events and mostly aims at addressing real problems within his community. He seeks to shed light on injustices that plague the places he calls home. All the while speaking from his personal point of view on maneuvering adolescence growing up in West Oakland. His dream is to uplift his community and inspire change with the aid of his artistic expression
Artist Statement
Poem Two: “I Say”
I wrote this poem to explore solutions on how to better our school system. It’s about having schools run as extensions of the community instead of as pieces of an institution. That means trading neglect for attention. Adding more services that cater to the needs of the students and not just the school system. It discusses the lack of hope ingrained in youth coming from socio-economically deprived communities. It also brings attention to the criminalization of young students of color. When school is treated like a burden, students don’t want to attend. This poem brings attention to the necessary questions that need to be asked. Will we continue to fail the youth? Or will we make a change?
Social Media:
Instagram: @Mekzzou
Share this page via Social media:
Sample post:
"This year’s Back to School season is a huge opportunity to take advantage of the unprecedented funding available to reimagine and rebuild our education system to be racially just. See the work of 8 CA based artists who created original pieces that reimagine what it looks like to create schools where every student, family, and educator thrives."