The image of The Oakland Tree begins to emerge. Project Leads, Lupe and Dulce and Artistic Directors Lesely and Carlos, guide the project along to completion.

American Steel Studios is happy to be partnering with the Ralph J. Bunche High School Art students for the creation of a Living Mural.

The concept, simply, was “how do you envision Oakland?” The answers began to emerge in dozens and dozens of sketches over the Fall semester.

The Oakland Tree is a recurring theme, along with the concepts of education, health and prosperity which are growing on the tree itself. The teens expressed that this is their vision for their own future.

Art Director, Lesly, works with another student on the Living Mural.

Below the healthy canopy however, another type of reality is depicted; images from headline stories about Oakland and a much less healthy present reality portraying guns, violence, crime and prostitution. This is the landscape of the neighborhood many of the students live in, and are universally hoping will change.

The mural is scheduled to be completed and on exhibit for the RJB 2014 Open House, and installed at American Steel Studios in time for a Grand Opening to coincide with the annual “Art+Industry Exhibit” in May. Please stay tuned for details!