The "WOMS Living" Collection: Creation Process & Exhibition Debut

Not many middle schoolers can say that they have designed their own home goods product line, but the ArtEsteem students at West Oakland Middle School (WOMS) can proudly add that feat to their list of accomplishments. Teaching Artist Etty Alberto led students on a journey of native ethnobotany, geometric compositions, and designing their own showrooms.

With the support of volunteer Julia Gamble’s expertise as a home product designer at Room Creative, students used this knowledge to create nature-inspired pattern designs. These original pieces will be curated in a home goods collection, “WOMS Living”, available for purchase starting on Apr 28, 2023. The samples from the collection can also be viewed in a showroom at the 25th Annual ArtEsteem Exhibition on May 6, 2023!

Students began this semester learning about the environmental significance of California native plants. While studying the physical differences of each plant, they learned to recognize radial designs and symmetry in how they grow. For their first project, they brought leaf cuttings from their neighborhoods to be used in a leaf relief pattern print. Learn more about the process here.

At City Slicker Farms, students had the chance to have a hands-on approach to their lessons in native ethnobotany. CSF educators engaged students in the cultural significance of native plants and environmental factors currently threatening them. Students planted native milkweed and California poppies to bring back home and encourage native pollinators. Ms. Etty then led them through a lesson on silhouette impressions using crayons and floral plants such as pineapple sage and rosemary. This lesson would inform their understanding of positive and negative space in art.

Shifting towards the design process of their nature-inspired art, WOMS students visited the ArtEsteem Gallery to observe patterns and composition in the artwork of previous ArtEsteem students. The class was joined by Lead Teaching Artist Angel Perez to complete their geometric design screenprints. The positive and negative space of their prints highlighted their original color palette. Learn more about their visit here.

Hear what one student, Zaniya Watts, had to say about her screen printing piece titled Color: “This piece represents my mood and how they change in the process. I learned how to paint and how to mix different materials together. I really enjoyed making this piece.”

West Oakland Middle School Students Tour & Screen Print at The Center for ArtEsteem Gallery

West Oakland Middle School students continued their native plant textile unit this month with Lead Teaching Artist Etty Alberto by visiting our very own ArtEsteem Gallery. This is their second field trip in a series to deepen their understanding of product design.

Class started with an opening circle around a radial mandala mural Etty completed last year. She explained, “I made this, and it’s my job. You can do art as a career!” In this unit, students are developing skills to support their future entry into the visual arts workforce. Whether it’s murals, apparel, or home goods, students saw how art is found everywhere, and there is an artist behind each piece of work. 

In a previous lesson, students used watercolors to demonstrate their understanding of color palettes. Students were then able to build on this project at the gallery in a screen printing demonstration with Teaching Artist Angel Perez. Angel guided the students through the chemical process of silk screen printing. Another guiding presence, volunteer Julia Gamble, was present to teach the students. Julia brings years of experience in product design and development to the class, and is helping to inform the trajectory of their textile unit projects. She designed the geometric screen print design that would go over their watercolor pieces, and emphasized how the negative and positive space of the geometric print highlights the watercolors’ composition.

One particular student, Robert, seized the opportunity to print the geometric design on his own sweatshirt. When it was complete, Julia told him, “No one in the world has this piece of art, except you. It is a one-of-a-kind sweatshirt.”

For the second part of gallery activities, Etty led students on a scavenger hunt around the space. Students observed the artwork and made deductions from the artist statements. By seeing past ArtEsteem students’ work, as well as understanding what inspired them, WOMS students can reflect on how they want to design their final project.

This unit will culminate in a field trip to IKEA, in which students will be able to take their knowledge in surface pattern designs and explore how it can be applied to home good collections and showrooms. 

Black History Month ArtMobile Event at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary

Three classes from Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary's after school program weathered the cold to celebrate Black History Month with the ArtMobile! Led by teaching artist Jamiani Gray, the students collaborated on a quote-mural, encouraging them to be proud of the color of their skin, their culture, and where they come from.  

The lesson started with learning the history of the Pan-African flag by Marcus Garvey. Ms. Jamiani tells the class what each color means. “Red for the blood of our people, black for our beautiful skin, and green for the bountiful riches of our motherland.” Students were then split into groups to create shading and designs on stars that correlated with the flag colors. The creativity of their designs ranged from geometric shapes, to flowers, to self-portraits. 

Students then chose from 100+ quotes by prominent Black historical and modern-day figures to be glued on top of their star. Each student was able to add their completed star to the mural in the corresponding color area. Together, these stars represent both the students’ unity and individuality in their identities.

Ms. Jamiani ended the ArtMobile session by calling up students to read a quote from the mural. Each quote was met with applause from their fellow classmates, but the class especially erupted in uproar when one student read a Martin Luther King Jr. quote. 

Celebrating the Black History Month through art is a chance for youth to recognize the strength of their people and inspire them to continue building on their legacy. Ms. Jamiani and other AHC staff sought to uplift their creative curiosity and confidence through their collaboration on this mural.

Oakland Legacy Project Higher Education and Financial Literacy Panel

The Center for ArtEsteem is dedicated to building creative and sustainable communities through artistic empowerment and youth development. One way the agency fosters autonomy and leadership in youth is by further developing the skills necessary for navigating young adulthood. On December 8th, the Legacy Project after school program hosted a Higher Education and Financial Literacy panel for students and their families. Participants met with professionals in their fields to receive tools for managing personal finances and prepare for college readiness. 

Dante Rojas, the Assistant Branch Manager at Self-Help Federal Credit Union, started the evening event with a crash course on money management. The audience learned about  building credit, budgeting, and the differences between CUs and banks. Fifteen percent of Oakland families do not have a bank account, which is twice the national average. Legacy students received their first stipend check for the program. Encouraging our high school students early on to create a bank account not only teaches them to save their money but also the important responsibility of managing their finances.

Afterwards, the audience received presentations from Senior Admissions Counselor Magaly Arias-Lobatos from St. Mary’s College, as well as Assistant Director LGBTQ+ Community Liaison Naseem Salim from University of California Berkeley. They covered the topics of private-versus-public school differences, college application processes, and the relevancy of Legacy Project to the campus’ mission. As representatives of their alma mater, our college guest speakers were also able to share their personal insight for first year students.  including financial aid opportunities and struggles, finding community through affinity groups, and campus resources to take advantage of. Along the intersections of race, class, disability, citizenship, and gender, both colleges provided financial and academic support for students with marginalized identities.

Our guest speakers held bilingual presentations to accommodate our Spanish-speaking families, and were able to answer their questions during the post-tabling session. Students were excited to learn that they could receive letters of recommendation from the Legacy Project leadership team when applying to colleges in the future. Having representatives who reflect the identities of our students is important for encouraging them to take up space in these institutions that have historically shut them out.

Hoover Elementary students are planting seeds of change at City Slicker Farms!

This month, Hoover Elementary 1st graders had the opportunity to visit City Slicker Farms (CSF), and for many of them it was their first time. Just as they tend to vegetables in their garden, CSF provided enrichment for the students’ creativity during this field trip and helped their seeds of curiosity grow.

In addition to providing interdisciplinary STEM and arts integration in the classroom, AHC exposes Hoover students to the intersections of the arts, environmental awareness, local history and community advocacy through the Oakland Legacy Project program. The Center for ArtEsteem has partnered with CSF since 2016 to bring environmental education to underserved Oakland schools such as Hoover through outdoor enrichment, introductions to gardening, and access to green spaces.

Since 2001, CSF has been in the vanguard of the food justice movement. CSF empowers community members to meet basic needs for fresh, healthy food through skills training, community building, direct service, and a commitment to social, economic and racial justice. CSF organizes low-income communities to achieve equal access to fresh, healthy, organic food through sustainable urban gardening, ecology, environmental stewardship and more. In 2016, City Slicker Farms opened a previously vacant industrial lot at 28th and Peralta Street as an Urban Park and Farm that includes lawn space for running and playing, a vegetable growing area, a community garden, fruit orchard, chicken coop, beehive and dog run.

CSF educators Gianna Zamora and Jay Hill led Hoover students through a tour of the farm. First sitting at the gazebo, students were asked about their knowledge of plants and gardening, which was limited for many of them. They discussed how food is grown and ends up on their dinner table. The educators then brought the students to the community garden, where they practiced appreciating the plants with their eyes and noses. One student, Elizabeth, was excited when she was able to correctly identify brussel sprouts and tomatoes growing in the garden beds. The tour continued into the greenhouse, where they learned about how some plants need to stay warm to survive the winter. While walking through the main gardening plot, students said hello to the resident rabbit and a visiting stray tabby cat.

The final destination of the tour was the chicken coop. Although several students were afraid of the chickens hurting them, they faced their fears and were able to pet or feed the chickens. “They’re so soft!” one student exclaimed.

Students were able to play on the playground during their remaining time. At the end of the field trip, AHC Program Director Ms. Phyllis Hall refocused the students with somatic exercises, calling their attention to thank nature for all that it offered them today. She ended the exercise by asking the students, “The essence of our being is?” All the students instinctively responded with “love”, completing the first attitudinal healing principle.

When it was time to depart, parent chaperone Katba Korin expressed, “I had no idea this place existed in our neighborhood!” When told that CSF was open to the public, she set intentions to bring her family to the farm in the future.

The 1st grade students not only left the farm with fragrant flowers for their classroom, but also the knowledge of respectful boundaries with those around them, responsible land stewardship, and newfound accessibility to green spaces.

Cycle of Gratitude Fundraiser (11/12)

AHC is kicking off this season of giving with an interactive fundraiser!

Have tons of fun with us at our Cycle of Gratitude fundraiser, where our stellar team of teaching artists will be there to guide you through a selection of ArtEsteem activities: radial mandala painting, Japanese ink marbling, and screen printing!⁠

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH - 3111 WEST STREET - 2:00 PM

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GUIDELINES:

• All of our staff are vaccinated. We strongly recommend wearing a mask and receiving vaccination before entering the fundraiser.

  According to Alameda County Public Health: “Wearing masks is strongly urged in indoor settings and required in certain high-risk settings. You may choose to wear a mask in outdoor crowded settings, and in non-public indoor settings, like a private residence, when you are around people who may be unvaccinated, elderly, or immunocompromised. While fully vaccinated people are well-protected from severe illness due to variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, they may get asymptomatic or mild infections. To protect everyone, wear a mask to help slow the spread of the virus.“

• Be mindful of social distancing; respect everyone’s space.

PRESS RELEASE: Sustaining Roots and Developing a Legacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SUSTAINING ROOTS and DEVELOPING A LEGACY

WHAT: Building the Center for ArtEsteem Pre-Groundbreaking Ceremony 

WHEN: October 5, 2022 @ 2:30PM

WHERE: 3111 West Street, Oakland, CA 94608

CONTACT: Amana Harris, 510-652-5530/amana@ahc-oakland.org

The Center for ArtEsteem, also known as Attitudinal Healing Connection (AHC - Oakland) invites the public to the “Building the Center for ArtEsteem” Pre-Groundbreaking Ceremony celebrating its recent property and land acquisition, plans for the city, and capital campaign achievements as it prepares for renovations during Phase I. 

With Special Guest Mayor Libby Schaaf joined by Councilmembers Reid, Sheng, Taylor and a representative from Councilwoman Fife’s office, the event will engage the community in offering their blessings while serving as a testament to the kind of BIPOC community resiliency needed in Oakland. 

As waves of displacement continue, BIPOC communities again are experiencing the catastrophic footprints of inequity from the onslaught of development, tech takeovers, and gentrification. Recovery from real estate policies from the urban redevelopment era of the 50’s that redlined and marginalized communities of color never had the chance to effectively take root. While these systematic practices have devastatingly curbed the tide of progress, for BIPOC communities and artists an opportunity for atonement arises.

The “Building the Center for ArtEsteem” Capital Campaign and Building Project will transform and beautify 5,000 square feet of land and property in West Oakland. Taking place in two phases, AHC will assume site ownership, renovate an existing building, and move organizational operations to its new home at 3111 West Street during Phase I. During Phase 2, AHC will construct a new studio, exhibition, and community event space at 3115 West Street. This effort will provide arts and healing opportunities for children, youth and families for decades to come.

As a longtime West Oakland resident and native I’ve seen so many changes that have not been 

in our best interest. Knowing that The Center for ArtEsteem will be able to continue and grow 

its vital arts and healing work through this important capital project brings hope and a 

sense of reciprocity that will better the lives of the people in our community. 

– Paul Cobb, Oakland Post Publisher

Since its founding in 1989, AHC has operated from the ground floor of a duplex, an industrial warehouse, and an office building, making for a pattern of location instability that set the organization's board and leadership on a critical mission to own its destiny. This project is a testament to and model for Oakland BIPOC residents and organizational leaders.

The mission of The Center for ArtEsteem is to empower individuals to be self-aware and inspired through art, creativity and education; to make positive choices to break the cycle of violence for ourselves and our communities.

Building the Center for ArtEsteem: Pre-Groundbreaking Ceremony (10/5)

The Attitudinal Healing Connection is Building the Center for ArtEsteem!

This capital campaign and building project will transform and beautify 5,000 square feet of land and property in West Oakland, taking place in two phases. During Phase 1 in 2022, AHC will assume site ownership, renovate an existing building, and move organizational operations to our new home at 3111 West Street. During Phase 2, AHC will construct a new studio, exhibition, and community event space at 3115 West Street.

As we enter the final stretch of our Phase I goal, we invite you to join us at our upcoming Pre-Groundbreaking Ceremony!

Special guests include…

Drumming performance from Tacuma King of Bay Area Youth Arts!

Messages of support from Mayor Libby Schaaf, District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife’s representative, District 4 Councilmember Sheng Thao, District 6 Councilmember Loren Taylor, and District 7 Councilmember Treva Reid!

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5TH - 3111 WEST STREET - 2:30 PM

/ / /

GUIDELINES:

• All of our staff will be masked and are vaccinated. We strongly recommend wearing a mask and receiving vaccination before entering the ceremony.

  According to Alameda County Public Health: “Wearing masks is strongly urged in indoor settings and required in certain high-risk settings. You may choose to wear a mask in outdoor crowded settings, and in non-public indoor settings, like a private residence, when you are around people who may be unvaccinated, elderly, or immunocompromised. While fully vaccinated people are well-protected from severe illness due to variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, they may get asymptomatic or mild infections. To protect everyone, wear a mask to help slow the spread of the virus.“

• Be mindful of social distancing; respect everyone’s space.

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Since our founding in 1989, AHC has operated from the ground floor of a duplex, an industrial warehouse, and an office building. No matter the location, we have always been ready to serve our community members to provide healing through art. While this pattern of location instability has not deterred our spirits, it has limited our programmatic capacity and laid obstacles for staff duties and strategic planning. 

We set off on this journey to accommodate the expansion of ArtEsteem programming and the subsequent need for more space because we recognize that there is a continuous need for safe spaces of creative expression. In 2017, AHC mustered up the courage to move from our flat at the corner of 33rd and West. The city of Oakland, reflecting the symptoms of our economic system, is becoming impossible to afford and artists–especially BIPOC artist communities–face displacement. We are building The Center for ArtEsteem to meet the need for ongoing healing, education, and positive systemic change to continue to transform lives and set forth the next generation of critically minded creators and culture-shapers.

Once we begin to operate from our new home, The Center for ArtEsteem will foster sustainability and identity in the neighborhood where we originally planted seeds, developed roots, and bore the fruits of creative labor.

Gratitude to our sponsors and collaborators for believing in our vision for Oakland!

andrews + chang

Community Bank of the Bay

Conscious Construction

Kaiser Permanente

Mechanics Bank

Plantain Studio

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The Center for ArtEsteem featured in Oaklandside’s Arts & Community Spread

‘Born out of this community’:

How 2 West Oakland arts nonprofits spotlight Hoover-Durant

by Ricky Rodas

“Center for ArtEsteem and Bay Area Mural Program’s San Pablo Avenue murals represent the neighborhood’s history and culture.”

We're Hiring!

Join Our Team

Attitudinal Healing Connection is a 30+ year-old, community-based youth and public art, healing and advocacy organization. We work with the arts to inspire and educate the children and youth in our community, creating support and continuity from grades TK-12 and beyond, engaging with them in their contexts of culture, family, friends, school, the larger communities within the cities of Oakland, San Francisco and beyond. AHC promotes a culture of creativity, and of unity within diversity.

AHC seeks to hire teaching artists—trained, practicing artist and teachers—with a passion for education and building healthy, safe communities. An excellent candidate loves working collaboratively, is trained and experienced to teach in-person, is familiar with best practices in classroom settings, and is committed to racial, economic, and environmental justice.