A Massive New Oakland Mural Inspires Lasting Friendships and New Life Callings
A Legendary Mural From the 1980s Has Been Repainted in East Oakland
The Paint Is Dry on Banksy’s Nine Days of Animal-Themed London Street Art
Player sponsored by
window.__IS_SSR__=true
window.__INITIAL_STATE__={
"attachmentsReducer": {
"audio_0": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_0",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background0.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_1": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_1",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background1.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_2": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_2",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background2.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_3": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_3",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background3.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_4": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_4",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background4.jpg"
}
}
},
"placeholder": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "placeholder",
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"small": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 32,
"height": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 50,
"height": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 64,
"height": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 96,
"height": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 128,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
}
},
"arts_13992970": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13992970",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13992970",
"found": true
},
"title": "260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL",
"publishDate": 1787164501,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1787168554,
"caption": "Ernesto Cortes hugs fellow student Kiana Tondre from Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course as they gather to see their completed mural in Oakland on Aug. 14, 2026. The class worked together to create the mural on a Peralta Community College District warehouse.",
"credit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"altTag": "Two student artists, an older man and a younger woman, hug in front of a colorful wall.",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-wide": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1-1200x675.jpg",
"width": 1200,
"height": 675,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"npr-cds-square": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1-600x600.jpg",
"width": 600,
"height": 600,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13983757": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13983757",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13983757",
"found": true
},
"title": "MES4690",
"publishDate": 1763136926,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 13983670,
"modified": 1763137072,
"caption": "The original ‘OAKLAND IS PROUD’ mural on E. 12th Street in Oakland, painted by Del Phresh.",
"credit": "Oakland Wiki",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/MES4690-160x105.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 105,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/MES4690.jpg",
"width": 480,
"height": 316
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"arts_13962686": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "arts_13962686",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13962686",
"found": true
},
"title": "A new artwork by Banksy has appeared at the entrance of London Zoo, depicting a gorilla setting animals free. This is the ninth new artwork in nine days in London by the elusive street artist.",
"publishDate": 1723669896,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 13962685,
"modified": 1723669976,
"caption": "A new artwork by Banksy has appeared at the entrance of London Zoo, depicting a gorilla setting animals free. This is the ninth new artwork in nine days in London by the elusive street artist.",
"credit": "Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-2048x1365.jpg",
"width": 2048,
"height": 1365,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/08/GettyImages-2166077148-scaled-e1723669934254.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
}
},
"audioPlayerReducer": {
"postId": "stream_live",
"isPaused": true,
"isPlaying": false,
"pfsActive": false,
"pledgeModalIsOpen": true,
"playerDrawerIsOpen": false,
"liveAudioPlayStartedAt": 0,
"liveAudioPlayContext": ""
},
"authorsReducer": {
"byline_arts_13962685": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_arts_13962685",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_arts_13962685",
"name": "Brian Melley, Associated Press",
"isLoading": false
},
"ogpenn": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11491",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11491",
"found": true
},
"name": "Pendarvis Harshaw",
"firstName": "Pendarvis",
"lastName": "Harshaw",
"slug": "ogpenn",
"email": "ogpenn@gmail.com",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"arts"
],
"title": "Community Engagement Reporter",
"bio": "Pendarvis Harshaw is an educator, host and writer with KQED Arts.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/972b77ee8e3f346ae2b00622661187fbfabd059b5693bbdc1475ea7a722fd4cd?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": "ogpenn",
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "hiphop",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Pendarvis Harshaw | KQED",
"description": "Community Engagement Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/972b77ee8e3f346ae2b00622661187fbfabd059b5693bbdc1475ea7a722fd4cd?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/972b77ee8e3f346ae2b00622661187fbfabd059b5693bbdc1475ea7a722fd4cd?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/ogpenn"
},
"blaberge": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11667",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11667",
"found": true
},
"name": "Beth LaBerge",
"firstName": "Beth",
"lastName": "LaBerge",
"slug": "blaberge",
"email": "blaberge@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Photographer, News",
"bio": "Beth LaBerge is a visual journalist for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news\">KQED News\u003c/a>.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce49ecd7a1306685637b45a1f6f5dedfc4ae9481966eb596fea5160466dd6319?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": "https://www.instagram.com/bethlaberge/",
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor",
"manage_categories"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor",
"edit_plugins",
"manage_categories"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor",
"contributor",
"author",
"manage_categories"
]
},
{
"site": "perspectives",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Beth LaBerge | KQED",
"description": "Photographer, News",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce49ecd7a1306685637b45a1f6f5dedfc4ae9481966eb596fea5160466dd6319?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ce49ecd7a1306685637b45a1f6f5dedfc4ae9481966eb596fea5160466dd6319?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/blaberge"
}
},
"pagesReducer": {
"arts_tag_street-art": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22268",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22268",
"score": 9.104233
},
"name": "street art",
"slug": "street-art",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "street art Archives | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 22280,
"isLoading": false,
"title": "street art",
"pageMeta": {
"site": "arts",
"WpPageTemplate": "page-topic-editorial",
"currentPage": 1
},
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "kqed/post-list",
"attrs": {
"layout": "cardArticle2",
"query": "posts/arts?tag=street-art",
"seeMore": false,
"paginated": true,
"page": 1
}
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad"
}
]
}
},
"pfsSessionReducer": {},
"postsReducer": {
"stream_live": {
"type": "live",
"id": "stream_live",
"audioUrl": "https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio",
"title": "Live Stream",
"excerpt": "Live Stream information currently unavailable.",
"link": "/radio",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "KQED Live",
"link": "/"
}
},
"stream_kqedNewscast": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "stream_kqedNewscast",
"audioUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1",
"title": "KQED Newscast",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "88.5 FM",
"link": "/"
}
},
"arts_13992975": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13992975",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13992975",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1787576400000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "oakland-mural-5th-avenue-laney-peralta-colleges",
"title": "A Massive New Oakland Mural Inspires Lasting Friendships and New Life Callings",
"publishDate": 1787576400,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "A Massive New Oakland Mural Inspires Lasting Friendships and New Life Callings | KQED",
"labelTerm": {},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/findingyourpeople\">Finding Your People\u003c/a>, a series celebrating the Bay Area’s meetups and subcultures that bring people together IRL in an increasingly online world.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s a new gigantic work of art on 5th Avenue in Oakland, and it’s as colorful as the community that created it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Sorbet-like shades of yellow and red provide a background for an array of flora. An Iranian dancer in orange strikes a fierce pose on one side. And on the other, a young Aztec dancer with piercing eyes holds a drum. Double meanings and secret messages are interlaced throughout the piece.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Painted on a Peralta Community College District warehouse, the mural centers the four school mascots from the network of East Bay junior colleges: a Merritt College black panther, a Berkeley City College owl, a College of Alameda cougar and a Laney College eagle.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992971\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes (left) and instructor Fredericko Alvarado touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course in Oakland. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Roughly 20 students and a handful of volunteers painted the murals as part of \u003ca href=\"https://laney.edu/news/unity-through-diversity-mural-celebrates-oakland-education-community\">Laney’s Art 129 summer course\u003c/a>. It covers the broadside of a nondescript building, visible to a steady flow of thousands of daily commuters on 5th Avenue and Interstate 880.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This undertaking shows the power of individuals coming together in pursuit of a simple lesson in art. When they signed up for the class, they knew they’d create a gigantic mural. What they didn’t realize was that they’d also walk away with cross-cultural connections and lasting bonds with dope artists that go beyond paint on a wall.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Mural making is a cross-section between labor, psychotherapy, art making and community work,” says instructor \u003ca href=\"https://fredalvaradoarchives.space/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAae14fUv8GL1aoaws95Lc4vfKaUaVlLIo8WvWSMBoxZy4vGRxISkLOIpMlyalg_aem_vFPtRnB2d61orrWem_4YVA\">Fredericko Alvarado\u003c/a>, who has taught the class for the past four years. All of this happens at once, he stresses while painting in the sun. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s labor-intensive and heavy on the body,” adds Alvarado, a longtime muralist himself, “especially at the scale that we were working.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992958\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(From left) Ernesto Cortes, Fredericko Alvarado and Emilio Hernandez look at the mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course after a fence blocking it from view was removed in Oakland on Aug. 18, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Yet according to his students, the hard work pays off.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m finally giving myself permission to go to art school,” says Malena Mayorga, standing on a patch of grass near the sprawling mural. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mayorga, a longtime Oakland resident originally from El Salvador, contributed a tree that represents the original people of this land, the Ohlone people. Her painting of a large oak has cultural references etched into the bark. There’s a Chinese dragon, Brazilian flags and an Aztec Quetzalcōātl, as well as a Palestinian keffiyeh, Filipino markings, West African Adinkra symbols, Ethiopian embroidery, a Mayan figure that represents the universe and more.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992969\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes speaks with fellow student Malena Mayorga from Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course as they gather to see their completed mural. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Looking at the bigger picture, Mayorga professes, “We need to be changing the world [and moving] in the direction we want to see.” For her, the mural embodies that idea.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The artists had to first agree on what the mural would collectively depict, and then design their individual contributions before placing them on a wall. They made minor miscalculations and adjusted them along the way.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"13992955\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992955\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sketches for a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"13992954\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992954\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A completed sketch of the mural. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The end result is a towering community collage that illustrates the importance of community college. It stands about a paint bucket-toss from the Peralta District headquarters, a place that has recently dealt with a storm of budgetary issues.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Recently, California’s community colleges lost the support of \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/education/2025/06/california-bay-area-community-colleges-funding-formula/\">a cost-of-living fund\u003c/a>, and the Peralta School District dealt with a $11.8 million deficit by cutting numerous classes and over 60 positions. This past spring they began closing \u003ca href=\"https://peraltacitizen.com/2026/02/03/laney-college-tower-to-retire/\">the Laney tower building\u003c/a>, and in June they agreed to \u003ca href=\"https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/peralta/Board.nsf/files/DURLE55624C7/%24file/25_26-212%20RESOLUTION%20AFFIRMING%20THE%20DISTRICT%20TRANSFORMATION%20PLAN%20AND%20THE%20CREATION%20OF%20OAKLAND%20CITY%20COLLEGE.pdf\">move forward with a plan to consolidate two schools\u003c/a> — Merritt and Laney — under one umbrella, Oakland City College. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Despite the instability, this summer voters overwhelmingly approved a nine-year \u003ca href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Peralta_Community_College_District,_California,_Measure_A,_Reauthorize_Parcel_Tax_to_Fund_Community_Colleges_Measure_(June_2026)\">parcel tax\u003c/a> to help fund the district, easing the tension and assuring students that the district plans on remaining affordable and accessible.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992973\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez looks at the mural he helped paint during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>The class of muralists reflects the wide array of reasons people choose to pursue their education at a community college. Some students are dealing with housing insecurity and physical health issues. Some are elders finally prioritizing art careers, and others are young students chasing their creative dreams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Twenty-year-old \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/vintage.vrtbre\">Kiana Tondre\u003c/a>, born and raised in Oakland, is a studio arts major at San Francisco State University. Partially inspired by her grandfather, a former California College of the Arts and Crafts professor, Tondre has long known that she’s an artist. And after taking this course at Laney over the past two summers, she honed in on murals as her preferred format. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This is what I want to do with my life,” she says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992957\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kiana Tondre and instructor Fredericko Alvarado prepare to touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992956\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kiana Tondre and instructor Fredericko Alvarado prepare paint for a mural touch-up. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Through the class she got connected to the legendary community arts organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.precitaeyes.org/\">Precita Eyes\u003c/a>, as well as a world of students she wouldn’t have met at her more expensive four-year college.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>”In terms of community, I think Laney brings people together a lot more,” Tondre says. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tondre painted a beautifully stoic Iranian dancer, an image that’s emblematic of a group of women who are “very misrepresented,” she explains. An Iranian woman herself, Tondre imagined the design as an homage to her grandmother. “She is kind of like one of the guardians to the mural,” Tondre says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992964\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Qi Han takes a photo of Kiana Tondre in front of the section of the mural she created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course in Oakland on Aug. 14, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>On the other side of that stands Ernesto Cortes’ painting based on an old photo of his nephew, who began learning about traditional Aztec dances and culture at nine years old. Cortes tells KQED in Spanish that his nephew is now a young adult, and teaches cultural classes at the college level. Noting the importance of remaining steadfast in your calling and cultural pride, despite racism and other oppressive forces, Cortes says he had to honor his nephew’s vision.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Below Cortes’ dancing nephew, depicted in vibrant shades of green and blue, are the Ngíva words for grass and water. And to the righthand side of that image is a mocha-colored owl with spread wings and huge eyes, painted by traditionally trained fine artist \u003ca href=\"https://hanqiart.com/\">Qi Han\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992974\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes touches up a section of the mural he created. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992972\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes speaks with fellow student Qi Han. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Before taking Alvarado’s class, Han had never painted a mural. Now, she’s already completed a second one through connections she made in the class. “Yeah, I think I’m hooked,” says Han.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When you do a mural,” the Chinese-born artist reflects, “so many people can get to enjoy it. It’s just a different kind of art.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It also takes more people to make it. “The project is very big, you cannot do it by yourself,” Han says. “So you really have to work with other people.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Puerto Rican artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/liodez\">Emilio Hernandez\u003c/a> says this is the most diverse group of people he’s ever worked with. Not just a variety of ethnicities, but ages, expertise and interests in the craft. “There are students who are there just to dip their toes in art,” he says, “then there are artists like myself, who’ve been doing it for a few years.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hernandez spent a decade working as a commercial painter, specializing in coating metal surfaces and scaling huge items. His second job was painting the cranes at the Port of Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"13992959\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992959\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez prepares to touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"13992960\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992960\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez works on a section of the mural he created. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He enjoyed the view from the towering machines, but the labor was rigorous, the schedule was stressful and racist interactions were pervasive. A lingering injury from a car accident years ago prompted him to save money, walk away from the job and return to art school.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Not easy for a married father of four, especially after he’d already gone through the Bay Area housing ringer. After facing a couple of eviction notices and multiple slumlords, he and his family ended up squatting in an abandoned apartment building. Hernandez used his painting abilities to renovate the spot with the help of a few others. Backed by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareaclt.org/\">Bay Area Community Land Trust\u003c/a>, he and the residents of the apartment building successfully earned the right to stay in their home on \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareaclt.org/our-houses/12th-ave\">12th Avenue\u003c/a>, not far from the mural.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hernandez wanted to paint the mural’s black panther “as close to the sun as possible” to uplift Black and brown people’s legacy of activism. “I don’t want the children to be raised and not know the history of where we came from and what got us to get to where we’re at today,” he explains. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992961\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez touches up a section of the mural he created. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992962\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Instructor Fredericko Alvarado (left) and student Emilio Hernandez prepare to touch up the mural. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>When he shared his stance with the class early in the semester, the discussion resulted in a bit of friction among students. But the tough conversation paid dividends in the end. “I couldn’t believe that we were having a civil conversation with a lot of tension,” Hernandez reflects, “and we ended it at peace.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/lamakina510/\">Makina\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/shishi.madriz/\">Shi Shi\u003c/a>, two mural-painting vets who volunteered with this summer’s class, agree that creating art with a collective is a surefire way to get artists in conversation and out of their silos. Shi Shi, who is also a dancer and tattoo artist from Berkeley, originally took the Peralta college class with late artist and professor \u003ca href=\"https://missionlocal.org/2024/04/ray-patlan-mayor-of-balmy-alley-dies/\">Ray Patlán\u003c/a>. Proud that Alvarado is continuing the class’ legacy, Shi Shi highlights how it contributes to the region’s larger artist ecosystem.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When I took that class,” she says, “I met other artists, and also tapped in with other maestros and maestras here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Makina concurs, noting that the class is a catalyst for creatives to “think bigger about the impact of your arts.” Public art can inspire “community dialogue around the visual landscape of your neighborhood, around the way your city is represented and the cultural equity that it offers,” she says. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992967\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mural advisor Makina speaks with students from Laney College’s ART 129 course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Donald Diggs, a 72-year-old Monterey-raised returning student, says his life changed when he found the world of public art. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I happened to be incarcerated for 43 years,” Diggs shares, explaining that he got bit by the creative bug while taking classes through the \u003ca href=\"https://williamjamesassociation.org/\">William James Association\u003c/a> in prison. “I just focused on art and it was like my escape.” For four decades he sat behind bars, working mostly with ceramics. After his release he joined the Peralta college network, signing up for Alvarado’s class only a few months after his return.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He showed up and morally supported the group this year after helping paint last year’s piece — an adjacent mural that’s roughly a quarter of the size of this year’s mural. “Art school,” Diggs says with an exhale, “was probably the best choice I could have made. And God has been blessing me ever since, so I just keep doing it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Each semester, Alvarado, the instructor, designs the class slightly differently, but he keeps the “scaffolding” the same. It’s hard to fail, he admits, no matter your skill level. “Active engagement, being present, participating and just trying” are his grading criteria. “I don’t judge too much on aesthetics,” he says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992963\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Instructor Fredericko Alvarado (left) and student Emilio Hernandez prepare paint. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Alvarado, who took over the class just as pandemic restrictions lifted, says he’s seen how the student artists have created their own community.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Laney now has their own art club,” Alvarado says, referring to the newly-founded \u003ca href=\"https://linktr.ee/societyofartistsandmakers\">Society of Artists & Markers\u003c/a>. With an email list of over 100 artists, the collective has already held two art openings since it began last spring, and a handful of Alvarado’s students are in the mix.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The beauty of the art club, much like his class, is the variety of work and different perspectives it offers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992966\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students and volunteers from Laney College’s ART 129 mural summer course gather for a group photo in front of their completed mural. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>“Our classes are always filled or overfilled,” Alvarado says, explaining that the art department is always thinking of new ways to leverage access to resources and studio space for students in the Peralta system.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In reality,” Alvarado concludes, “the community college belongs to everybody, right? So it should always be available to folks in some sort of way.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/findingyourpeople\">Finding Your People\u003c/a>, a series celebrating the Bay Area’s meetups and subcultures that bring people together IRL in an increasingly online world.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/findingyourpeople\">Finding Your People\u003c/a>, a series celebrating the Bay Area’s meetups and subcultures that bring people together IRL in an increasingly online world.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There’s a new gigantic work of art on 5th Avenue in Oakland, and it’s as colorful as the community that created it.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There’s a new gigantic work of art on 5th Avenue in Oakland, and it’s as colorful as the community that created it.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Sorbet-like shades of yellow and red provide a background for an array of flora. An Iranian dancer in orange strikes a fierce pose on one side. And on the other, a young Aztec dancer with piercing eyes holds a drum. Double meanings and secret messages are interlaced throughout the piece.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Sorbet-like shades of yellow and red provide a background for an array of flora. An Iranian dancer in orange strikes a fierce pose on one side. And on the other, a young Aztec dancer with piercing eyes holds a drum. Double meanings and secret messages are interlaced throughout the piece.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Painted on a Peralta Community College District warehouse, the mural centers the four school mascots from the network of East Bay junior colleges: a Merritt College black panther, a Berkeley City College owl, a College of Alameda cougar and a Laney College eagle.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Painted on a Peralta Community College District warehouse, the mural centers the four school mascots from the network of East Bay junior colleges: a Merritt College black panther, a Berkeley City College owl, a College of Alameda cougar and a Laney College eagle.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992971,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992971\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes (left) and instructor Fredericko Alvarado touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course in Oakland.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992971\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes (left) and instructor Fredericko Alvarado touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course in Oakland.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Roughly 20 students and a handful of volunteers painted the murals as part of \u003ca href=\"https://laney.edu/news/unity-through-diversity-mural-celebrates-oakland-education-community\">Laney’s Art 129 summer course\u003c/a>. It covers the broadside of a nondescript building, visible to a steady flow of thousands of daily commuters on 5th Avenue and Interstate 880.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Roughly 20 students and a handful of volunteers painted the murals as part of \u003ca href=\"https://laney.edu/news/unity-through-diversity-mural-celebrates-oakland-education-community\">Laney’s Art 129 summer course\u003c/a>. It covers the broadside of a nondescript building, visible to a steady flow of thousands of daily commuters on 5th Avenue and Interstate 880.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "fullwidth"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This undertaking shows the power of individuals coming together in pursuit of a simple lesson in art. When they signed up for the class, they knew they’d create a gigantic mural. What they didn’t realize was that they’d also walk away with cross-cultural connections and lasting bonds with dope artists that go beyond paint on a wall.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This undertaking shows the power of individuals coming together in pursuit of a simple lesson in art. When they signed up for the class, they knew they’d create a gigantic mural. What they didn’t realize was that they’d also walk away with cross-cultural connections and lasting bonds with dope artists that go beyond paint on a wall.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Mural making is a cross-section between labor, psychotherapy, art making and community work,” says instructor \u003ca href=\"https://fredalvaradoarchives.space/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAae14fUv8GL1aoaws95Lc4vfKaUaVlLIo8WvWSMBoxZy4vGRxISkLOIpMlyalg_aem_vFPtRnB2d61orrWem_4YVA\">Fredericko Alvarado\u003c/a>, who has taught the class for the past four years. All of this happens at once, he stresses while painting in the sun. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Mural making is a cross-section between labor, psychotherapy, art making and community work,” says instructor \u003ca href=\"https://fredalvaradoarchives.space/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAae14fUv8GL1aoaws95Lc4vfKaUaVlLIo8WvWSMBoxZy4vGRxISkLOIpMlyalg_aem_vFPtRnB2d61orrWem_4YVA\">Fredericko Alvarado\u003c/a>, who has taught the class for the past four years. All of this happens at once, he stresses while painting in the sun. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s labor-intensive and heavy on the body,” adds Alvarado, a longtime muralist himself, “especially at the scale that we were working.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s labor-intensive and heavy on the body,” adds Alvarado, a longtime muralist himself, “especially at the scale that we were working.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992958,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992958\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(From left) Ernesto Cortes, Fredericko Alvarado and Emilio Hernandez look at the mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course after a fence blocking it from view was removed in Oakland on Aug. 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992958\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(From left) Ernesto Cortes, Fredericko Alvarado and Emilio Hernandez look at the mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course after a fence blocking it from view was removed in Oakland on Aug. 18, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Yet according to his students, the hard work pays off.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Yet according to his students, the hard work pays off.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I’m finally giving myself permission to go to art school,” says Malena Mayorga, standing on a patch of grass near the sprawling mural. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I’m finally giving myself permission to go to art school,” says Malena Mayorga, standing on a patch of grass near the sprawling mural. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Mayorga, a longtime Oakland resident originally from El Salvador, contributed a tree that represents the original people of this land, the Ohlone people. Her painting of a large oak has cultural references etched into the bark. There’s a Chinese dragon, Brazilian flags and an Aztec Quetzalcōātl, as well as a Palestinian keffiyeh, Filipino markings, West African Adinkra symbols, Ethiopian embroidery, a Mayan figure that represents the universe and more.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Mayorga, a longtime Oakland resident originally from El Salvador, contributed a tree that represents the original people of this land, the Ohlone people. Her painting of a large oak has cultural references etched into the bark. There’s a Chinese dragon, Brazilian flags and an Aztec Quetzalcōātl, as well as a Palestinian keffiyeh, Filipino markings, West African Adinkra symbols, Ethiopian embroidery, a Mayan figure that represents the universe and more.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992969,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992969\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes speaks with fellow student Malena Mayorga from Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course as they gather to see their completed mural.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992969\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes speaks with fellow student Malena Mayorga from Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course as they gather to see their completed mural.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Looking at the bigger picture, Mayorga professes, “We need to be changing the world [and moving] in the direction we want to see.” For her, the mural embodies that idea.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Looking at the bigger picture, Mayorga professes, “We need to be changing the world [and moving] in the direction we want to see.” For her, the mural embodies that idea.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The artists had to first agree on what the mural would collectively depict, and then design their individual contributions before placing them on a wall. They made minor miscalculations and adjusted them along the way.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The artists had to first agree on what the mural would collectively depict, and then design their individual contributions before placing them on a wall. They made minor miscalculations and adjusted them along the way.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/gallery",
"attrs": {
"linkTo": "none",
"images": [],
"ids": [],
"shortCodeTransforms": [],
"imageCrop": true,
"randomOrder": false,
"fixedHeight": true,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"allowResize": false,
"aspectRatio": "auto"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n\n\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992955,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992955\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sketches for a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992955\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sketches for a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992954,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992954\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A completed sketch of the mural.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992954\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A completed sketch of the mural.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The end result is a towering community collage that illustrates the importance of community college. It stands about a paint bucket-toss from the Peralta District headquarters, a place that has recently dealt with a storm of budgetary issues.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The end result is a towering community collage that illustrates the importance of community college. It stands about a paint bucket-toss from the Peralta District headquarters, a place that has recently dealt with a storm of budgetary issues.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Recently, California’s community colleges lost the support of \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/education/2025/06/california-bay-area-community-colleges-funding-formula/\">a cost-of-living fund\u003c/a>, and the Peralta School District dealt with a $11.8 million deficit by cutting numerous classes and over 60 positions. This past spring they began closing \u003ca href=\"https://peraltacitizen.com/2026/02/03/laney-college-tower-to-retire/\">the Laney tower building\u003c/a>, and in June they agreed to \u003ca href=\"https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/peralta/Board.nsf/files/DURLE55624C7/$file/25_26-212%20RESOLUTION%20AFFIRMING%20THE%20DISTRICT%20TRANSFORMATION%20PLAN%20AND%20THE%20CREATION%20OF%20OAKLAND%20CITY%20COLLEGE.pdf\">move forward with a plan to consolidate two schools\u003c/a> — Merritt and Laney — under one umbrella, Oakland City College. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Recently, California’s community colleges lost the support of \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/education/2025/06/california-bay-area-community-colleges-funding-formula/\">a cost-of-living fund\u003c/a>, and the Peralta School District dealt with a $11.8 million deficit by cutting numerous classes and over 60 positions. This past spring they began closing \u003ca href=\"https://peraltacitizen.com/2026/02/03/laney-college-tower-to-retire/\">the Laney tower building\u003c/a>, and in June they agreed to \u003ca href=\"https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/peralta/Board.nsf/files/DURLE55624C7/$file/25_26-212%20RESOLUTION%20AFFIRMING%20THE%20DISTRICT%20TRANSFORMATION%20PLAN%20AND%20THE%20CREATION%20OF%20OAKLAND%20CITY%20COLLEGE.pdf\">move forward with a plan to consolidate two schools\u003c/a> — Merritt and Laney — under one umbrella, Oakland City College. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Despite the instability, this summer voters overwhelmingly approved a nine-year \u003ca href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Peralta_Community_College_District,_California,_Measure_A,_Reauthorize_Parcel_Tax_to_Fund_Community_Colleges_Measure_(June_2026)\">parcel tax\u003c/a> to help fund the district, easing the tension and assuring students that the district plans on remaining affordable and accessible.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Despite the instability, this summer voters overwhelmingly approved a nine-year \u003ca href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Peralta_Community_College_District,_California,_Measure_A,_Reauthorize_Parcel_Tax_to_Fund_Community_Colleges_Measure_(June_2026)\">parcel tax\u003c/a> to help fund the district, easing the tension and assuring students that the district plans on remaining affordable and accessible.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992973,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992973\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez looks at the mural he helped paint during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992973\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez looks at the mural he helped paint during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The class of muralists reflects the wide array of reasons people choose to pursue their education at a community college. Some students are dealing with housing insecurity and physical health issues. Some are elders finally prioritizing art careers, and others are young students chasing their creative dreams. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The class of muralists reflects the wide array of reasons people choose to pursue their education at a community college. Some students are dealing with housing insecurity and physical health issues. Some are elders finally prioritizing art careers, and others are young students chasing their creative dreams. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Twenty-year-old \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/vintage.vrtbre\">Kiana Tondre\u003c/a>, born and raised in Oakland, is a studio arts major at San Francisco State University. Partially inspired by her grandfather, a former California College of the Arts and Crafts professor, Tondre has long known that she’s an artist. And after taking this course at Laney over the past two summers, she honed in on murals as her preferred format. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Twenty-year-old \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/vintage.vrtbre\">Kiana Tondre\u003c/a>, born and raised in Oakland, is a studio arts major at San Francisco State University. Partially inspired by her grandfather, a former California College of the Arts and Crafts professor, Tondre has long known that she’s an artist. And after taking this course at Laney over the past two summers, she honed in on murals as her preferred format. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“This is what I want to do with my life,” she says.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“This is what I want to do with my life,” she says.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992957,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992957\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kiana Tondre and instructor Fredericko Alvarado prepare to touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992957\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kiana Tondre and instructor Fredericko Alvarado prepare to touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992956,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992956\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kiana Tondre and instructor Fredericko Alvarado prepare paint for a mural touch-up.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992956\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kiana Tondre and instructor Fredericko Alvarado prepare paint for a mural touch-up.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Through the class she got connected to the legendary community arts organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.precitaeyes.org/\">Precita Eyes\u003c/a>, as well as a world of students she wouldn’t have met at her more expensive four-year college.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Through the class she got connected to the legendary community arts organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.precitaeyes.org/\">Precita Eyes\u003c/a>, as well as a world of students she wouldn’t have met at her more expensive four-year college.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>”In terms of community, I think Laney brings people together a lot more,” Tondre says. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>”In terms of community, I think Laney brings people together a lot more,” Tondre says. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tondre painted a beautifully stoic Iranian dancer, an image that’s emblematic of a group of women who are “very misrepresented,” she explains. An Iranian woman herself, Tondre imagined the design as an homage to her grandmother. “She is kind of like one of the guardians to the mural,” Tondre says.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Tondre painted a beautifully stoic Iranian dancer, an image that’s emblematic of a group of women who are “very misrepresented,” she explains. An Iranian woman herself, Tondre imagined the design as an homage to her grandmother. “She is kind of like one of the guardians to the mural,” Tondre says.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992964,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992964\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Qi Han takes a photo of Kiana Tondre in front of the section of the mural she created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course in Oakland on Aug. 14, 2026. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992964\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Qi Han takes a photo of Kiana Tondre in front of the section of the mural she created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course in Oakland on Aug. 14, 2026. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>On the other side of that stands Ernesto Cortes’ painting based on an old photo of his nephew, who began learning about traditional Aztec dances and culture at nine years old. Cortes tells KQED in Spanish that his nephew is now a young adult, and teaches cultural classes at the college level. Noting the importance of remaining steadfast in your calling and cultural pride, despite racism and other oppressive forces, Cortes says he had to honor his nephew’s vision.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>On the other side of that stands Ernesto Cortes’ painting based on an old photo of his nephew, who began learning about traditional Aztec dances and culture at nine years old. Cortes tells KQED in Spanish that his nephew is now a young adult, and teaches cultural classes at the college level. Noting the importance of remaining steadfast in your calling and cultural pride, despite racism and other oppressive forces, Cortes says he had to honor his nephew’s vision.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Below Cortes’ dancing nephew, depicted in vibrant shades of green and blue, are the Ngíva words for grass and water. And to the righthand side of that image is a mocha-colored owl with spread wings and huge eyes, painted by traditionally trained fine artist \u003ca href=\"https://hanqiart.com/\">Qi Han\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Below Cortes’ dancing nephew, depicted in vibrant shades of green and blue, are the Ngíva words for grass and water. And to the righthand side of that image is a mocha-colored owl with spread wings and huge eyes, painted by traditionally trained fine artist \u003ca href=\"https://hanqiart.com/\">Qi Han\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992974,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992974\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes touches up a section of the mural he created.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992974\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes touches up a section of the mural he created.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992972,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992972\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes speaks with fellow student Qi Han.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992972\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes speaks with fellow student Qi Han.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Before taking Alvarado’s class, Han had never painted a mural. Now, she’s already completed a second one through connections she made in the class. “Yeah, I think I’m hooked,” says Han.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Before taking Alvarado’s class, Han had never painted a mural. Now, she’s already completed a second one through connections she made in the class. “Yeah, I think I’m hooked,” says Han.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“When you do a mural,” the Chinese-born artist reflects, “so many people can get to enjoy it. It’s just a different kind of art.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“When you do a mural,” the Chinese-born artist reflects, “so many people can get to enjoy it. It’s just a different kind of art.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It also takes more people to make it. “The project is very big, you cannot do it by yourself,” Han says. “So you really have to work with other people.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It also takes more people to make it. “The project is very big, you cannot do it by yourself,” Han says. “So you really have to work with other people.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Puerto Rican artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/liodez\">Emilio Hernandez\u003c/a> says this is the most diverse group of people he’s ever worked with. Not just a variety of ethnicities, but ages, expertise and interests in the craft. “There are students who are there just to dip their toes in art,” he says, “then there are artists like myself, who’ve been doing it for a few years.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Puerto Rican artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/liodez\">Emilio Hernandez\u003c/a> says this is the most diverse group of people he’s ever worked with. Not just a variety of ethnicities, but ages, expertise and interests in the craft. “There are students who are there just to dip their toes in art,” he says, “then there are artists like myself, who’ve been doing it for a few years.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Hernandez spent a decade working as a commercial painter, specializing in coating metal surfaces and scaling huge items. His second job was painting the cranes at the Port of Oakland.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Hernandez spent a decade working as a commercial painter, specializing in coating metal surfaces and scaling huge items. His second job was painting the cranes at the Port of Oakland.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/gallery",
"attrs": {
"linkTo": "none",
"images": [],
"ids": [],
"shortCodeTransforms": [],
"imageCrop": true,
"randomOrder": false,
"fixedHeight": true,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"allowResize": false,
"aspectRatio": "auto"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">\n\n\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": [
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992959,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992959\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez prepares to touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992959\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez prepares to touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992960,
"sizeSlug": "large",
"linkDestination": "none",
"alt": ""
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992960\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez works on a section of the mural he created. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992960\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez works on a section of the mural he created. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He enjoyed the view from the towering machines, but the labor was rigorous, the schedule was stressful and racist interactions were pervasive. A lingering injury from a car accident years ago prompted him to save money, walk away from the job and return to art school.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He enjoyed the view from the towering machines, but the labor was rigorous, the schedule was stressful and racist interactions were pervasive. A lingering injury from a car accident years ago prompted him to save money, walk away from the job and return to art school.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Not easy for a married father of four, especially after he’d already gone through the Bay Area housing ringer. After facing a couple of eviction notices and multiple slumlords, he and his family ended up squatting in an abandoned apartment building. Hernandez used his painting abilities to renovate the spot with the help of a few others. Backed by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareaclt.org/\">Bay Area Community Land Trust\u003c/a>, he and the residents of the apartment building successfully earned the right to stay in their home on \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareaclt.org/our-houses/12th-ave\">12th Avenue\u003c/a>, not far from the mural.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Not easy for a married father of four, especially after he’d already gone through the Bay Area housing ringer. After facing a couple of eviction notices and multiple slumlords, he and his family ended up squatting in an abandoned apartment building. Hernandez used his painting abilities to renovate the spot with the help of a few others. Backed by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareaclt.org/\">Bay Area Community Land Trust\u003c/a>, he and the residents of the apartment building successfully earned the right to stay in their home on \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareaclt.org/our-houses/12th-ave\">12th Avenue\u003c/a>, not far from the mural.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Hernandez wanted to paint the mural’s black panther “as close to the sun as possible” to uplift Black and brown people’s legacy of activism. “I don’t want the children to be raised and not know the history of where we came from and what got us to get to where we’re at today,” he explains. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Hernandez wanted to paint the mural’s black panther “as close to the sun as possible” to uplift Black and brown people’s legacy of activism. “I don’t want the children to be raised and not know the history of where we came from and what got us to get to where we’re at today,” he explains. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992961,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992961\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez touches up a section of the mural he created.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992961\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez touches up a section of the mural he created.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992962,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992962\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Instructor Fredericko Alvarado (left) and student Emilio Hernandez prepare to touch up the mural.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992962\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Instructor Fredericko Alvarado (left) and student Emilio Hernandez prepare to touch up the mural.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When he shared his stance with the class early in the semester, the discussion resulted in a bit of friction among students. But the tough conversation paid dividends in the end. “I couldn’t believe that we were having a civil conversation with a lot of tension,” Hernandez reflects, “and we ended it at peace.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>When he shared his stance with the class early in the semester, the discussion resulted in a bit of friction among students. But the tough conversation paid dividends in the end. “I couldn’t believe that we were having a civil conversation with a lot of tension,” Hernandez reflects, “and we ended it at peace.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/lamakina510/\">Makina\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/shishi.madriz/\">Shi Shi\u003c/a>, two mural-painting vets who volunteered with this summer’s class, agree that creating art with a collective is a surefire way to get artists in conversation and out of their silos. Shi Shi, who is also a dancer and tattoo artist from Berkeley, originally took the Peralta college class with late artist and professor \u003ca href=\"https://missionlocal.org/2024/04/ray-patlan-mayor-of-balmy-alley-dies/\">Ray Patlán\u003c/a>. Proud that Alvarado is continuing the class’ legacy, Shi Shi highlights how it contributes to the region’s larger artist ecosystem.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/lamakina510/\">Makina\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/shishi.madriz/\">Shi Shi\u003c/a>, two mural-painting vets who volunteered with this summer’s class, agree that creating art with a collective is a surefire way to get artists in conversation and out of their silos. Shi Shi, who is also a dancer and tattoo artist from Berkeley, originally took the Peralta college class with late artist and professor \u003ca href=\"https://missionlocal.org/2024/04/ray-patlan-mayor-of-balmy-alley-dies/\">Ray Patlán\u003c/a>. Proud that Alvarado is continuing the class’ legacy, Shi Shi highlights how it contributes to the region’s larger artist ecosystem.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“When I took that class,” she says, “I met other artists, and also tapped in with other maestros and maestras here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“When I took that class,” she says, “I met other artists, and also tapped in with other maestros and maestras here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Makina concurs, noting that the class is a catalyst for creatives to “think bigger about the impact of your arts.” Public art can inspire “community dialogue around the visual landscape of your neighborhood, around the way your city is represented and the cultural equity that it offers,” she says. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Makina concurs, noting that the class is a catalyst for creatives to “think bigger about the impact of your arts.” Public art can inspire “community dialogue around the visual landscape of your neighborhood, around the way your city is represented and the cultural equity that it offers,” she says. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992967,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992967\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mural advisor Makina speaks with students from Laney College’s ART 129 course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992967\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mural advisor Makina speaks with students from Laney College’s ART 129 course.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Donald Diggs, a 72-year-old Monterey-raised returning student, says his life changed when he found the world of public art. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Donald Diggs, a 72-year-old Monterey-raised returning student, says his life changed when he found the world of public art. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I happened to be incarcerated for 43 years,” Diggs shares, explaining that he got bit by the creative bug while taking classes through the \u003ca href=\"https://williamjamesassociation.org/\">William James Association\u003c/a> in prison. “I just focused on art and it was like my escape.” For four decades he sat behind bars, working mostly with ceramics. After his release he joined the Peralta college network, signing up for Alvarado’s class only a few months after his return.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I happened to be incarcerated for 43 years,” Diggs shares, explaining that he got bit by the creative bug while taking classes through the \u003ca href=\"https://williamjamesassociation.org/\">William James Association\u003c/a> in prison. “I just focused on art and it was like my escape.” For four decades he sat behind bars, working mostly with ceramics. After his release he joined the Peralta college network, signing up for Alvarado’s class only a few months after his return.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He showed up and morally supported the group this year after helping paint last year’s piece — an adjacent mural that’s roughly a quarter of the size of this year’s mural. “Art school,” Diggs says with an exhale, “was probably the best choice I could have made. And God has been blessing me ever since, so I just keep doing it.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He showed up and morally supported the group this year after helping paint last year’s piece — an adjacent mural that’s roughly a quarter of the size of this year’s mural. “Art school,” Diggs says with an exhale, “was probably the best choice I could have made. And God has been blessing me ever since, so I just keep doing it.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Each semester, Alvarado, the instructor, designs the class slightly differently, but he keeps the “scaffolding” the same. It’s hard to fail, he admits, no matter your skill level. “Active engagement, being present, participating and just trying” are his grading criteria. “I don’t judge too much on aesthetics,” he says.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Each semester, Alvarado, the instructor, designs the class slightly differently, but he keeps the “scaffolding” the same. It’s hard to fail, he admits, no matter your skill level. “Active engagement, being present, participating and just trying” are his grading criteria. “I don’t judge too much on aesthetics,” he says.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992963,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992963\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Instructor Fredericko Alvarado (left) and student Emilio Hernandez prepare paint.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992963\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Instructor Fredericko Alvarado (left) and student Emilio Hernandez prepare paint.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Alvarado, who took over the class just as pandemic restrictions lifted, says he’s seen how the student artists have created their own community.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Alvarado, who took over the class just as pandemic restrictions lifted, says he’s seen how the student artists have created their own community.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Laney now has their own art club,” Alvarado says, referring to the newly-founded \u003ca href=\"https://linktr.ee/societyofartistsandmakers\">Society of Artists & Markers\u003c/a>. With an email list of over 100 artists, the collective has already held two art openings since it began last spring, and a handful of Alvarado’s students are in the mix.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Laney now has their own art club,” Alvarado says, referring to the newly-founded \u003ca href=\"https://linktr.ee/societyofartistsandmakers\">Society of Artists & Markers\u003c/a>. With an email list of over 100 artists, the collective has already held two art openings since it began last spring, and a handful of Alvarado’s students are in the mix.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The beauty of the art club, much like his class, is the variety of work and different perspectives it offers.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The beauty of the art club, much like his class, is the variety of work and different perspectives it offers.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 13992966,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"align": "center",
"imageCredit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)",
"alt": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992966\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students and volunteers from Laney College’s ART 129 mural summer course gather for a group photo in front of their completed mural.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992966\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students and volunteers from Laney College’s ART 129 mural summer course gather for a group photo in front of their completed mural.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Our classes are always filled or overfilled,” Alvarado says, explaining that the art department is always thinking of new ways to leverage access to resources and studio space for students in the Peralta system.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Our classes are always filled or overfilled,” Alvarado says, explaining that the art department is always thinking of new ways to leverage access to resources and studio space for students in the Peralta system.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad",
"attrs": {
"format": "floatright"
},
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "",
"innerContent": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“In reality,” Alvarado concludes, “the community college belongs to everybody, right? So it should always be available to folks in some sort of way.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“In reality,” Alvarado concludes, “the community college belongs to everybody, right? So it should always be available to folks in some sort of way.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
}
],
"excerpt": "Community college students of all ages and cultural backgrounds came together to paint the vibrant wall on 5th Avenue. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1787591471,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 47,
"wordCount": 2435
},
"headData": {
"title": "A Massive New Oakland Mural Inspires Lasting Friendships and New Life Callings | KQED",
"description": "Community college students of all ages and cultural backgrounds came together to paint the vibrant wall on 5th Avenue. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "A Massive New Oakland Mural Inspires Lasting Friendships and New Life Callings",
"datePublished": "2026-08-24T06:00:00-07:00",
"dateModified": "2026-08-24T10:11:11-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"source": "Finding Your People",
"sourceUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/findingyourpeople",
"sticky": false,
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13992975/oakland-mural-5th-avenue-laney-peralta-colleges",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/findingyourpeople\">Finding Your People\u003c/a>, a series celebrating the Bay Area’s meetups and subcultures that bring people together IRL in an increasingly online world.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s a new gigantic work of art on 5th Avenue in Oakland, and it’s as colorful as the community that created it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Sorbet-like shades of yellow and red provide a background for an array of flora. An Iranian dancer in orange strikes a fierce pose on one side. And on the other, a young Aztec dancer with piercing eyes holds a drum. Double meanings and secret messages are interlaced throughout the piece.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Painted on a Peralta Community College District warehouse, the mural centers the four school mascots from the network of East Bay junior colleges: a Merritt College black panther, a Berkeley City College owl, a College of Alameda cougar and a Laney College eagle.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992971\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes (left) and instructor Fredericko Alvarado touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course in Oakland. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Roughly 20 students and a handful of volunteers painted the murals as part of \u003ca href=\"https://laney.edu/news/unity-through-diversity-mural-celebrates-oakland-education-community\">Laney’s Art 129 summer course\u003c/a>. It covers the broadside of a nondescript building, visible to a steady flow of thousands of daily commuters on 5th Avenue and Interstate 880.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This undertaking shows the power of individuals coming together in pursuit of a simple lesson in art. When they signed up for the class, they knew they’d create a gigantic mural. What they didn’t realize was that they’d also walk away with cross-cultural connections and lasting bonds with dope artists that go beyond paint on a wall.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Mural making is a cross-section between labor, psychotherapy, art making and community work,” says instructor \u003ca href=\"https://fredalvaradoarchives.space/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAae14fUv8GL1aoaws95Lc4vfKaUaVlLIo8WvWSMBoxZy4vGRxISkLOIpMlyalg_aem_vFPtRnB2d61orrWem_4YVA\">Fredericko Alvarado\u003c/a>, who has taught the class for the past four years. All of this happens at once, he stresses while painting in the sun. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s labor-intensive and heavy on the body,” adds Alvarado, a longtime muralist himself, “especially at the scale that we were working.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992958\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(From left) Ernesto Cortes, Fredericko Alvarado and Emilio Hernandez look at the mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course after a fence blocking it from view was removed in Oakland on Aug. 18, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Yet according to his students, the hard work pays off.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’m finally giving myself permission to go to art school,” says Malena Mayorga, standing on a patch of grass near the sprawling mural. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mayorga, a longtime Oakland resident originally from El Salvador, contributed a tree that represents the original people of this land, the Ohlone people. Her painting of a large oak has cultural references etched into the bark. There’s a Chinese dragon, Brazilian flags and an Aztec Quetzalcōātl, as well as a Palestinian keffiyeh, Filipino markings, West African Adinkra symbols, Ethiopian embroidery, a Mayan figure that represents the universe and more.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992969\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-04-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes speaks with fellow student Malena Mayorga from Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course as they gather to see their completed mural. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Looking at the bigger picture, Mayorga professes, “We need to be changing the world [and moving] in the direction we want to see.” For her, the mural embodies that idea.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The artists had to first agree on what the mural would collectively depict, and then design their individual contributions before placing them on a wall. They made minor miscalculations and adjusted them along the way.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"13992955\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992955\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sketches for a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"13992954\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992954\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-01-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A completed sketch of the mural. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The end result is a towering community collage that illustrates the importance of community college. It stands about a paint bucket-toss from the Peralta District headquarters, a place that has recently dealt with a storm of budgetary issues.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Recently, California’s community colleges lost the support of \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/education/2025/06/california-bay-area-community-colleges-funding-formula/\">a cost-of-living fund\u003c/a>, and the Peralta School District dealt with a $11.8 million deficit by cutting numerous classes and over 60 positions. This past spring they began closing \u003ca href=\"https://peraltacitizen.com/2026/02/03/laney-college-tower-to-retire/\">the Laney tower building\u003c/a>, and in June they agreed to \u003ca href=\"https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/peralta/Board.nsf/files/DURLE55624C7/%24file/25_26-212%20RESOLUTION%20AFFIRMING%20THE%20DISTRICT%20TRANSFORMATION%20PLAN%20AND%20THE%20CREATION%20OF%20OAKLAND%20CITY%20COLLEGE.pdf\">move forward with a plan to consolidate two schools\u003c/a> — Merritt and Laney — under one umbrella, Oakland City College. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Despite the instability, this summer voters overwhelmingly approved a nine-year \u003ca href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Peralta_Community_College_District,_California,_Measure_A,_Reauthorize_Parcel_Tax_to_Fund_Community_Colleges_Measure_(June_2026)\">parcel tax\u003c/a> to help fund the district, easing the tension and assuring students that the district plans on remaining affordable and accessible.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992973\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-20-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez looks at the mural he helped paint during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>The class of muralists reflects the wide array of reasons people choose to pursue their education at a community college. Some students are dealing with housing insecurity and physical health issues. Some are elders finally prioritizing art careers, and others are young students chasing their creative dreams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Twenty-year-old \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/vintage.vrtbre\">Kiana Tondre\u003c/a>, born and raised in Oakland, is a studio arts major at San Francisco State University. Partially inspired by her grandfather, a former California College of the Arts and Crafts professor, Tondre has long known that she’s an artist. And after taking this course at Laney over the past two summers, she honed in on murals as her preferred format. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This is what I want to do with my life,” she says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992957\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-06-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kiana Tondre and instructor Fredericko Alvarado prepare to touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992956\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-05-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Student Kiana Tondre and instructor Fredericko Alvarado prepare paint for a mural touch-up. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Through the class she got connected to the legendary community arts organization \u003ca href=\"https://www.precitaeyes.org/\">Precita Eyes\u003c/a>, as well as a world of students she wouldn’t have met at her more expensive four-year college.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>”In terms of community, I think Laney brings people together a lot more,” Tondre says. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tondre painted a beautifully stoic Iranian dancer, an image that’s emblematic of a group of women who are “very misrepresented,” she explains. An Iranian woman herself, Tondre imagined the design as an homage to her grandmother. “She is kind of like one of the guardians to the mural,” Tondre says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992964\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-08-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Qi Han takes a photo of Kiana Tondre in front of the section of the mural she created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course in Oakland on Aug. 14, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>On the other side of that stands Ernesto Cortes’ painting based on an old photo of his nephew, who began learning about traditional Aztec dances and culture at nine years old. Cortes tells KQED in Spanish that his nephew is now a young adult, and teaches cultural classes at the college level. Noting the importance of remaining steadfast in your calling and cultural pride, despite racism and other oppressive forces, Cortes says he had to honor his nephew’s vision.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Below Cortes’ dancing nephew, depicted in vibrant shades of green and blue, are the Ngíva words for grass and water. And to the righthand side of that image is a mocha-colored owl with spread wings and huge eyes, painted by traditionally trained fine artist \u003ca href=\"https://hanqiart.com/\">Qi Han\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992974\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-21-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes touches up a section of the mural he created. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992972\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-03-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ernesto Cortes speaks with fellow student Qi Han. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Before taking Alvarado’s class, Han had never painted a mural. Now, she’s already completed a second one through connections she made in the class. “Yeah, I think I’m hooked,” says Han.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When you do a mural,” the Chinese-born artist reflects, “so many people can get to enjoy it. It’s just a different kind of art.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It also takes more people to make it. “The project is very big, you cannot do it by yourself,” Han says. “So you really have to work with other people.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Puerto Rican artist \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/liodez\">Emilio Hernandez\u003c/a> says this is the most diverse group of people he’s ever worked with. Not just a variety of ethnicities, but ages, expertise and interests in the craft. “There are students who are there just to dip their toes in art,” he says, “then there are artists like myself, who’ve been doing it for a few years.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hernandez spent a decade working as a commercial painter, specializing in coating metal surfaces and scaling huge items. His second job was painting the cranes at the Port of Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"13992959\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992959\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-09-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez prepares to touch up a mural created during Laney College’s ART 129 summer mural course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"13992960\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992960\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-10-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez works on a section of the mural he created. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He enjoyed the view from the towering machines, but the labor was rigorous, the schedule was stressful and racist interactions were pervasive. A lingering injury from a car accident years ago prompted him to save money, walk away from the job and return to art school.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Not easy for a married father of four, especially after he’d already gone through the Bay Area housing ringer. After facing a couple of eviction notices and multiple slumlords, he and his family ended up squatting in an abandoned apartment building. Hernandez used his painting abilities to renovate the spot with the help of a few others. Backed by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareaclt.org/\">Bay Area Community Land Trust\u003c/a>, he and the residents of the apartment building successfully earned the right to stay in their home on \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareaclt.org/our-houses/12th-ave\">12th Avenue\u003c/a>, not far from the mural.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hernandez wanted to paint the mural’s black panther “as close to the sun as possible” to uplift Black and brown people’s legacy of activism. “I don’t want the children to be raised and not know the history of where we came from and what got us to get to where we’re at today,” he explains. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992961\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-11-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Hernandez touches up a section of the mural he created. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992962\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-14-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Instructor Fredericko Alvarado (left) and student Emilio Hernandez prepare to touch up the mural. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>When he shared his stance with the class early in the semester, the discussion resulted in a bit of friction among students. But the tough conversation paid dividends in the end. “I couldn’t believe that we were having a civil conversation with a lot of tension,” Hernandez reflects, “and we ended it at peace.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/lamakina510/\">Makina\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/shishi.madriz/\">Shi Shi\u003c/a>, two mural-painting vets who volunteered with this summer’s class, agree that creating art with a collective is a surefire way to get artists in conversation and out of their silos. Shi Shi, who is also a dancer and tattoo artist from Berkeley, originally took the Peralta college class with late artist and professor \u003ca href=\"https://missionlocal.org/2024/04/ray-patlan-mayor-of-balmy-alley-dies/\">Ray Patlán\u003c/a>. Proud that Alvarado is continuing the class’ legacy, Shi Shi highlights how it contributes to the region’s larger artist ecosystem.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When I took that class,” she says, “I met other artists, and also tapped in with other maestros and maestras here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Makina concurs, noting that the class is a catalyst for creatives to “think bigger about the impact of your arts.” Public art can inspire “community dialogue around the visual landscape of your neighborhood, around the way your city is represented and the cultural equity that it offers,” she says. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992967\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-19-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mural advisor Makina speaks with students from Laney College’s ART 129 course. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Donald Diggs, a 72-year-old Monterey-raised returning student, says his life changed when he found the world of public art. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I happened to be incarcerated for 43 years,” Diggs shares, explaining that he got bit by the creative bug while taking classes through the \u003ca href=\"https://williamjamesassociation.org/\">William James Association\u003c/a> in prison. “I just focused on art and it was like my escape.” For four decades he sat behind bars, working mostly with ceramics. After his release he joined the Peralta college network, signing up for Alvarado’s class only a few months after his return.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He showed up and morally supported the group this year after helping paint last year’s piece — an adjacent mural that’s roughly a quarter of the size of this year’s mural. “Art school,” Diggs says with an exhale, “was probably the best choice I could have made. And God has been blessing me ever since, so I just keep doing it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Each semester, Alvarado, the instructor, designs the class slightly differently, but he keeps the “scaffolding” the same. It’s hard to fail, he admits, no matter your skill level. “Active engagement, being present, participating and just trying” are his grading criteria. “I don’t judge too much on aesthetics,” he says.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992963\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260818-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-15-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Instructor Fredericko Alvarado (left) and student Emilio Hernandez prepare paint. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>Alvarado, who took over the class just as pandemic restrictions lifted, says he’s seen how the student artists have created their own community.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Laney now has their own art club,” Alvarado says, referring to the newly-founded \u003ca href=\"https://linktr.ee/societyofartistsandmakers\">Society of Artists & Markers\u003c/a>. With an email list of over 100 artists, the collective has already held two art openings since it began last spring, and a handful of Alvarado’s students are in the mix.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The beauty of the art club, much like his class, is the variety of work and different perspectives it offers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"aligncenter size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13992966\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/260814-FYP-CommunityCollegeArtClass-16-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students and volunteers from Laney College’s ART 129 mural summer course gather for a group photo in front of their completed mural. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/div>\n\n\n\u003cp>“Our classes are always filled or overfilled,” Alvarado says, explaining that the art department is always thinking of new ways to leverage access to resources and studio space for students in the Peralta system.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In reality,” Alvarado concludes, “the community college belongs to everybody, right? So it should always be available to folks in some sort of way.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13992975/oakland-mural-5th-avenue-laney-peralta-colleges",
"authors": [
"11491",
"11667"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_235",
"arts_70"
],
"tags": [
"arts_9750",
"arts_10278",
"arts_22691",
"arts_22024",
"arts_9011",
"arts_1737",
"arts_1143",
"arts_11453",
"arts_822",
"arts_22268"
],
"featImg": "arts_13992970",
"label": "source_arts_13992975"
},
"arts_13983670": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13983670",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13983670",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1763145918000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "oakland-is-proud-mural-repainted-graffiti-artist-del-phresh",
"title": "A Legendary Mural From the 1980s Has Been Repainted in East Oakland",
"publishDate": 1763145918,
"format": "aside",
"headTitle": "A Legendary Mural From the 1980s Has Been Repainted in East Oakland | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983772\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983772\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland graffiti artist Del Phresh poses in front of his newly revamped ‘Oakland Is Proud 2’ mural, located at the same site of his legendary ‘Oakland Is Proud’ piece, originally painted nearly 40 years ago. \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>When Del Phresh first painted the words “\u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/bayareahiphop/timeline#oakland-is-proud-mural-broadcast-nationwide\">OAKLAND IS PROUD\u003c/a>” on a wall in East Oakland in the mid-’80s, he was on a mission.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the time, Oakland’s reputation was ravaged by the war on drugs, and all it entailed: the influx of crack cocaine, extremely high unemployment, over-policing, swollen jails and nightly news reports sensationalizing crime.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In order to set the record straight about his community, Phresh grabbed a few aerosol cans and ensured the world put some respect on the Town’s name by painting a giant mural along E. 12th Street, reading “OAKLAND IS PROUD.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983757\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 480px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983757\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/MES4690.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/MES4690.jpg 480w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/MES4690-160x105.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The original ‘OAKLAND IS PROUD’ mural on E. 12th Street in Oakland, painted by Del Phresh. \u003ccite>(Oakland Wiki)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Four decades later, I meet with Phresh on the concrete and grass median under the BART tracks on E. 12th Street, across from where the original piece was painted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At the time it was the early ’80s, and mid-’80s, and the city was full of crime and corruption, and poverty and prostitution and drugs,” he tells me. “And it had a negative reputation. So I thought, ‘I want to show the Bay Area — hell, the world — that regardless of that, we are \u003cem>proud\u003c/em> of our city. We love Oakland.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The “OAKLAND IS PROUD” mural became a symbol of the Town’s resolve, and its cultural relevancy extended to city marketing, album covers, tribute murals and even a nationally syndicated television show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phresh’s original piece was painted over long ago. But last weekend, here at the same exact location, he and a few friends remade it, painting “OAKLAND IS PROUD 2” in metallic silver and royal blue along E. 12th Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983758\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983758\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">‘OAKLAND IS PROUD 2,’ a re-creation of Del Phresh’s famed mural, in the same spot as the original along E. 12th Street in Oakland. \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Given Oakland’s current issues, ranging from housing to violence, and the way people remain passionate about the Town despite its depiction in the media, Phresh’s piece is as relevant today as it was when he first painted it nearly 40 years ago.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>From an East Oakland Wall to the World\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After first painting a smaller, scrappy iteration of the mural on a wall of the historic St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged, Phresh returned (this time with permission of the center’s Ray Castor) and spent the entire summer of 1987 completing “OAKLAND IS PROUD.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When it was done, the multicolored, bubble-letter piece stretched the length of a full city block, and soon became a cultural landmark.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It was featured in the opening credits of Mark Curry’s television show \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bde9KfcRL4\">\u003cem>Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper\u003c/em>\u003c/a>, and provided a fresh background for the cover image of \u003ca href=\"https://www.discogs.com/release/1332001-Capital-Tax-Capital-Tax?srsltid=AfmBOoriQZqQsU-NcueEAucMReW51sSJ4UhrYgGkDC7wmMScjZa5l5po\">Capital Tax’s 1989 self-titled record\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983703\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 720px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983703\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/001_kqedarts_albumcoveroaklandisproud_02092023_720.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/001_kqedarts_albumcoveroaklandisproud_02092023_720.jpg 720w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/001_kqedarts_albumcoveroaklandisproud_02092023_720-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Oakland rap group Capital Tax featured Del Phresh’s ‘OAKLAND IS PROUD’ mural on the cover of their 1989 EP, shown here in the original photo location. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In 2020, Phresh collaborated with Oaklandish to \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandish.com/products/oaklandish-flag\">create merchandise using the logo\u003c/a>, as well as a piece reading “\u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandish.com/blogs/news/oakland-is-proud-del-phresh?srsltid=AfmBOopzDn2n-LfhYZZinMkHdiFijYhu8cEPP5lykbMHklgeRkR-r55K\">OAKLAND IS STILL PROUD\u003c/a>,” painted on the wooden boards covering the retail store during protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The mural’s legacy doesn’t stop there. It’s appeared on \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/CandiceAntique/status/787397848140775424?s=20\">event flyers\u003c/a>, and has been remixed within \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/bigchimpn/status/855980297766060032?s=20\">other prominent murals\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They got a photo of it at the Oakland Airport,” Presh says, adding that he’s even seen it used in commercials promoting tourism to Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Repping his Home Turf\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Well-recognized as a style king in his craft, Phresh made noise locally when he won a mural competition hosted by the \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/bayareahiphop/timeline#home-turf-premieres-on-kron-tv\">KRON-TV show \u003cem>Home Turf\u003c/em>\u003c/a> in 1986. A year later, he stepped onto the international stage by appearing in Henry Chalfant and James Prigoff’s seminal 1987 book \u003cem>Spraycan Art\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fitted in a customized jean jacket and hand-painted baseball hat embroidered with his given name, Joel, Phresh remembers his initial discovery of this spot on E. 12th.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My first piece on this wall, I got arrested for it.” It was a style piece with bubble letters, he says, and it made waves. “Back in the day,” says Phresh, “you didn’t see graffiti out here.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Others had scribbled on the walls and tagged their turfs, but it wasn’t stylized images and lettering — graf writing as we know it now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983701\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983701\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234.jpg\" alt=\"An African American man in a colorful hat and painted jean jacket.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2197\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234-160x183.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234-768x879.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234-1342x1536.jpg 1342w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234-1790x2048.jpg 1790w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland graffiti artist Del Phresh poses for a photo beneath the BART tracks in East Oakland, across the street from where his legendary ‘Oakland Is Proud’ piece was originally painted nearly 40 years ago. \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Before the Town’s scene got popping, Phresh honed his skills by hitting up the surfaces of AC Transit’s 82 bus, tagging his first graf handle “GERM” as he rode through East Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It wasn’t until being arrested for painting the wall on E. 12th that he changed his name. Handcuffed and sitting in a patrol van, it hit him.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Fresh. I like that, because that’s gonna be synonymous with with hip-hop forever,” he remembers thinking. “But I gotta be original.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He added “Ph” in place of “F,” and “\u003cem>Bow!\u003c/em>,” he exclaims, “that’s how I got my name, sitting in the back of the paddy wagon.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Getting Active in Graffiti Crews\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While Phresh treated the Town as his playground — he was the first to do a piece in the \u003ca href=\"https://tiratana.org/a-truncated-history-of-graffiti-writing-in-oakland-and-the-23rd-yards/\">23rd Yard\u003c/a> of East Oakland — he really got his start by running around Berkeley and San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A fly kid named Dizzy D, known for sporting Pumas and Adidas suits, was the first to take Phresh around the Bay, bombing walls. Soon after, Phresh got his first paid gig, painting at a store under the old Leopold’s Records near Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I was almost done,” says Phresh, reminiscing on his first paid job, “and this kid came in, and he’s like ‘I’m Kaos, I’m from TF.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The mention of the well-known TF, or Task Force crew, caused Phresh to freak out, but he played it cool. When he was invited to join the crew, he calmly obliged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WS6_pvyuIo&t=527s\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>His work then started to spread all around the Bay, taking off after he met two kids who went by the names Style and West.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They arranged a meeting on that same concrete and grass median under the BART tracks on E. 12th. One of the trio had the idea to form their own crew. They called it the “Bomb Squad.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We were bombing the shit out of the city,” says Phresh, noting that the crew’s acronym of “BSK” came together when they added the word “Kings” to their title.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“BSK was the first crew (in Oakland),” says Phresh, adding that other crews immediately popped up thereafter. “We had the fame, we had the notoriety, we had the stats.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID='arts_10141391']At the time, \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDp38sltic8\">Mike “Dream” Francisco\u003c/a> was just starting his crew \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dreamtdk/\">TDK\u003c/a>, formed with a collection of his close friends and cousins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But as the ’80s and ’90s went on,” recalls Phresh, “TDK out-clipped BSK by a long shot.” TDK, originally known as “Those Damn Kids,” grew to dozens of members. Still strong today, they’ve created some of the best-known murals and pieces in the Bay Area, and behind the scenes have contributed vastly to the culture.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Respect of His Peers\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In the late ’90s, Presh and Mike “Dream” Francisco used to hang out and sketch together at Built to Last Tattoo in East Oakland. “Before Mike passed, one day I was in there and I was like, ‘Dream, would you allow me to write TDK?'”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Presh says the late graf legend looked at him and said, “Is you stupid, man? Of course you can.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983755\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983755\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-scaled.jpg\" alt='A close up image of a mural that reads \"PROUD,\" painted in metallic silver and royal blue.' width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Del Phresh’s signature on the ‘OAKLAND IS PROUD 2’ piece.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>TDK’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13926619/spie-one-tdk-bay-area-graffiti-history-hip-hop\">Spie 1, a legendary graf writer in his own right\u003c/a>, recalls going to East Oakland to see Phresh’s “OAKLAND IS PROUD” piece. He met Phresh around the same time while attending an event at Stanford University, when \u003cem>Spraycan Art\u003c/em> co-author Henry Chalfant hosted a screening of the seminal graffiti documentary he co-produced for PBS, \u003ca href=\"https://www.stylewars.com/\">\u003cem>Style Wars\u003c/em>.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“He’s done a lot for putting Oakland on the map,” says Spie, telling me about Phresh on a recent phone call. He describes his old friend as funny, personable, fun-loving and down to earth, calling him “the one who cares.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The two were part of a wave of artists fighting to end South African apartheid, and also collaborated on a piece in Berkeley’s Revolution Books.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But, Spie says, you can’t overlook the impact of “OAKLAND IS PROUD.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The statement itself, it’s uplifting,” says Spie. “It totally gives an instillment of great pride to people in Oakland.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a huge piece of art visible from BART and located in the economically disenfranchised flatlands of East Oakland, the mural tacitly acknowledged the city’s struggles, Spie says, while speaking to the historic resilience of its residents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983720\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983720\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a jean jacket sitting by train tracks.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2041\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2-160x163.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2-768x784.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2-1505x1536.jpg 1505w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pioneering Oakland graf writer Del Phresh takes a seat on E.12th Street \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>A Lasting Influence\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Since the late ’80s, Oakland has changed tenfold, as has the public perspective on graffiti. An art form once seen as a blight or public nuisance is now readily commissioned by developers and real estate agents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phresh is happy that a few of his friends from back in the day are making money off their craft, explaining that when they were kids, that was their goal. “We all was hoping to do that when we started,” he says. “Parlay this art into making money.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When I ask if he himself has been properly compensated for his work, Phresh instantly replies, “Oh, hell no.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a BART train whizzes overhead, he clarifies that it’s not because he doesn’t understand his own worth. “With my art,” says Phresh, “I could charge three million for my stuff if I want to, based on my reputation.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But he’d rather give people something they can afford.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You gotta be sensible,” he says. “So, I always give my partners player prices for the work I do.” It doesn’t matter if it’s an auto body shop or a sign for a bakery, he says: “I could charge ’em more, and I know I’m worth more, but is that realistic?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983763\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983763\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963.jpg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland graffiti artist Del Phresh shows off his custom jacket. \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>At 60, Phresh hasn’t stopped painting. He organized this gathering, and completed parts of the new mural, though he was largely assisted by painters from the community, including Dream’s son Akil and other members of TDK. Next summer, he and some of those same artists plan to hold an event titled \u003cem>The Kings of the East Bay\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking further ahead, to the future of the art form and the the next generation of graf writers, Phresh sounds slightly resigned as he says, “These new-school kids … I don’t really like a lot of the damage they do.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Taking a breath of accountability, he adds, “But at the same time, I can’t blame ’em,” he says, “‘Cause I influenced them.”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Graffiti artist Del Phresh talks about revamping his classic \"OAKLAND IS PROUD\" mural in its original spot on E. 12th Street.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1763312942,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": true,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 51,
"wordCount": 2113
},
"headData": {
"title": "The ‘Oakland Is Proud’ Mural Has Been Repainted in East Oakland by Del Phresh | KQED",
"description": "The graffiti artist talks about revamping his classic mural in its original spot on E. 12th Street.",
"ogTitle": "A Legendary Mural From the 1980s Has Been Repainted in East Oakland",
"ogDescription": "Graffiti artist Del Phresh talks about revamping his classic "OAKLAND IS PROUD" mural in its original spot on E. 12th Street.",
"ogImgId": "arts_13983757",
"twTitle": "A Legendary Mural From the 1980s Has Been Repainted in East Oakland",
"twDescription": "Graffiti artist Del Phresh talks about revamping his classic "OAKLAND IS PROUD" mural in its original spot on E. 12th Street.",
"twImgId": "arts_13983757",
"socialTitle": "The ‘Oakland Is Proud’ Mural Has Been Repainted in East Oakland by Del Phresh %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"socialDescription": "The graffiti artist talks about revamping his classic mural in its original spot on E. 12th Street.",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "A Legendary Mural From the 1980s Has Been Repainted in East Oakland",
"datePublished": "2025-11-14T10:45:18-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-11-16T09:09:02-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"primaryCategory": {
"termId": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"name": "Arts"
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13983670",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"subhead": "Graf writer Del Phresh leaves his mark, again. ",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13983670/oakland-is-proud-mural-repainted-graffiti-artist-del-phresh",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983772\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983772\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7949-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland graffiti artist Del Phresh poses in front of his newly revamped ‘Oakland Is Proud 2’ mural, located at the same site of his legendary ‘Oakland Is Proud’ piece, originally painted nearly 40 years ago. \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>When Del Phresh first painted the words “\u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/bayareahiphop/timeline#oakland-is-proud-mural-broadcast-nationwide\">OAKLAND IS PROUD\u003c/a>” on a wall in East Oakland in the mid-’80s, he was on a mission.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the time, Oakland’s reputation was ravaged by the war on drugs, and all it entailed: the influx of crack cocaine, extremely high unemployment, over-policing, swollen jails and nightly news reports sensationalizing crime.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In order to set the record straight about his community, Phresh grabbed a few aerosol cans and ensured the world put some respect on the Town’s name by painting a giant mural along E. 12th Street, reading “OAKLAND IS PROUD.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983757\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\" style=\"max-width: 480px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983757\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/MES4690.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"316\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/MES4690.jpg 480w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/MES4690-160x105.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The original ‘OAKLAND IS PROUD’ mural on E. 12th Street in Oakland, painted by Del Phresh. \u003ccite>(Oakland Wiki)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Four decades later, I meet with Phresh on the concrete and grass median under the BART tracks on E. 12th Street, across from where the original piece was painted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At the time it was the early ’80s, and mid-’80s, and the city was full of crime and corruption, and poverty and prostitution and drugs,” he tells me. “And it had a negative reputation. So I thought, ‘I want to show the Bay Area — hell, the world — that regardless of that, we are \u003cem>proud\u003c/em> of our city. We love Oakland.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The “OAKLAND IS PROUD” mural became a symbol of the Town’s resolve, and its cultural relevancy extended to city marketing, album covers, tribute murals and even a nationally syndicated television show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phresh’s original piece was painted over long ago. But last weekend, here at the same exact location, he and a few friends remade it, painting “OAKLAND IS PROUD 2” in metallic silver and royal blue along E. 12th Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983758\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983758\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7944-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">‘OAKLAND IS PROUD 2,’ a re-creation of Del Phresh’s famed mural, in the same spot as the original along E. 12th Street in Oakland. \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Given Oakland’s current issues, ranging from housing to violence, and the way people remain passionate about the Town despite its depiction in the media, Phresh’s piece is as relevant today as it was when he first painted it nearly 40 years ago.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>From an East Oakland Wall to the World\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After first painting a smaller, scrappy iteration of the mural on a wall of the historic St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged, Phresh returned (this time with permission of the center’s Ray Castor) and spent the entire summer of 1987 completing “OAKLAND IS PROUD.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When it was done, the multicolored, bubble-letter piece stretched the length of a full city block, and soon became a cultural landmark.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It was featured in the opening credits of Mark Curry’s television show \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bde9KfcRL4\">\u003cem>Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper\u003c/em>\u003c/a>, and provided a fresh background for the cover image of \u003ca href=\"https://www.discogs.com/release/1332001-Capital-Tax-Capital-Tax?srsltid=AfmBOoriQZqQsU-NcueEAucMReW51sSJ4UhrYgGkDC7wmMScjZa5l5po\">Capital Tax’s 1989 self-titled record\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983703\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 720px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983703\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/001_kqedarts_albumcoveroaklandisproud_02092023_720.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/001_kqedarts_albumcoveroaklandisproud_02092023_720.jpg 720w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/001_kqedarts_albumcoveroaklandisproud_02092023_720-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Oakland rap group Capital Tax featured Del Phresh’s ‘OAKLAND IS PROUD’ mural on the cover of their 1989 EP, shown here in the original photo location. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In 2020, Phresh collaborated with Oaklandish to \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandish.com/products/oaklandish-flag\">create merchandise using the logo\u003c/a>, as well as a piece reading “\u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandish.com/blogs/news/oakland-is-proud-del-phresh?srsltid=AfmBOopzDn2n-LfhYZZinMkHdiFijYhu8cEPP5lykbMHklgeRkR-r55K\">OAKLAND IS STILL PROUD\u003c/a>,” painted on the wooden boards covering the retail store during protests in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The mural’s legacy doesn’t stop there. It’s appeared on \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/CandiceAntique/status/787397848140775424?s=20\">event flyers\u003c/a>, and has been remixed within \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/bigchimpn/status/855980297766060032?s=20\">other prominent murals\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They got a photo of it at the Oakland Airport,” Presh says, adding that he’s even seen it used in commercials promoting tourism to Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Repping his Home Turf\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Well-recognized as a style king in his craft, Phresh made noise locally when he won a mural competition hosted by the \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/bayareahiphop/timeline#home-turf-premieres-on-kron-tv\">KRON-TV show \u003cem>Home Turf\u003c/em>\u003c/a> in 1986. A year later, he stepped onto the international stage by appearing in Henry Chalfant and James Prigoff’s seminal 1987 book \u003cem>Spraycan Art\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fitted in a customized jean jacket and hand-painted baseball hat embroidered with his given name, Joel, Phresh remembers his initial discovery of this spot on E. 12th.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My first piece on this wall, I got arrested for it.” It was a style piece with bubble letters, he says, and it made waves. “Back in the day,” says Phresh, “you didn’t see graffiti out here.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Others had scribbled on the walls and tagged their turfs, but it wasn’t stylized images and lettering — graf writing as we know it now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983701\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983701\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234.jpg\" alt=\"An African American man in a colorful hat and painted jean jacket.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2197\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234-160x183.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234-768x879.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234-1342x1536.jpg 1342w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7958-scaled-e1763008600234-1790x2048.jpg 1790w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland graffiti artist Del Phresh poses for a photo beneath the BART tracks in East Oakland, across the street from where his legendary ‘Oakland Is Proud’ piece was originally painted nearly 40 years ago. \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Before the Town’s scene got popping, Phresh honed his skills by hitting up the surfaces of AC Transit’s 82 bus, tagging his first graf handle “GERM” as he rode through East Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It wasn’t until being arrested for painting the wall on E. 12th that he changed his name. Handcuffed and sitting in a patrol van, it hit him.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Fresh. I like that, because that’s gonna be synonymous with with hip-hop forever,” he remembers thinking. “But I gotta be original.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He added “Ph” in place of “F,” and “\u003cem>Bow!\u003c/em>,” he exclaims, “that’s how I got my name, sitting in the back of the paddy wagon.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Getting Active in Graffiti Crews\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While Phresh treated the Town as his playground — he was the first to do a piece in the \u003ca href=\"https://tiratana.org/a-truncated-history-of-graffiti-writing-in-oakland-and-the-23rd-yards/\">23rd Yard\u003c/a> of East Oakland — he really got his start by running around Berkeley and San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A fly kid named Dizzy D, known for sporting Pumas and Adidas suits, was the first to take Phresh around the Bay, bombing walls. Soon after, Phresh got his first paid gig, painting at a store under the old Leopold’s Records near Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I was almost done,” says Phresh, reminiscing on his first paid job, “and this kid came in, and he’s like ‘I’m Kaos, I’m from TF.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The mention of the well-known TF, or Task Force crew, caused Phresh to freak out, but he played it cool. When he was invited to join the crew, he calmly obliged.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/9WS6_pvyuIo'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/9WS6_pvyuIo'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp>His work then started to spread all around the Bay, taking off after he met two kids who went by the names Style and West.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They arranged a meeting on that same concrete and grass median under the BART tracks on E. 12th. One of the trio had the idea to form their own crew. They called it the “Bomb Squad.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We were bombing the shit out of the city,” says Phresh, noting that the crew’s acronym of “BSK” came together when they added the word “Kings” to their title.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“BSK was the first crew (in Oakland),” says Phresh, adding that other crews immediately popped up thereafter. “We had the fame, we had the notoriety, we had the stats.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "arts_10141391",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>At the time, \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDp38sltic8\">Mike “Dream” Francisco\u003c/a> was just starting his crew \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dreamtdk/\">TDK\u003c/a>, formed with a collection of his close friends and cousins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But as the ’80s and ’90s went on,” recalls Phresh, “TDK out-clipped BSK by a long shot.” TDK, originally known as “Those Damn Kids,” grew to dozens of members. Still strong today, they’ve created some of the best-known murals and pieces in the Bay Area, and behind the scenes have contributed vastly to the culture.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Respect of His Peers\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In the late ’90s, Presh and Mike “Dream” Francisco used to hang out and sketch together at Built to Last Tattoo in East Oakland. “Before Mike passed, one day I was in there and I was like, ‘Dream, would you allow me to write TDK?'”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Presh says the late graf legend looked at him and said, “Is you stupid, man? Of course you can.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983755\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983755\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-scaled.jpg\" alt='A close up image of a mural that reads \"PROUD,\" painted in metallic silver and royal blue.' width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7965_720-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Del Phresh’s signature on the ‘OAKLAND IS PROUD 2’ piece.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>TDK’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13926619/spie-one-tdk-bay-area-graffiti-history-hip-hop\">Spie 1, a legendary graf writer in his own right\u003c/a>, recalls going to East Oakland to see Phresh’s “OAKLAND IS PROUD” piece. He met Phresh around the same time while attending an event at Stanford University, when \u003cem>Spraycan Art\u003c/em> co-author Henry Chalfant hosted a screening of the seminal graffiti documentary he co-produced for PBS, \u003ca href=\"https://www.stylewars.com/\">\u003cem>Style Wars\u003c/em>.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“He’s done a lot for putting Oakland on the map,” says Spie, telling me about Phresh on a recent phone call. He describes his old friend as funny, personable, fun-loving and down to earth, calling him “the one who cares.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The two were part of a wave of artists fighting to end South African apartheid, and also collaborated on a piece in Berkeley’s Revolution Books.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But, Spie says, you can’t overlook the impact of “OAKLAND IS PROUD.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The statement itself, it’s uplifting,” says Spie. “It totally gives an instillment of great pride to people in Oakland.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a huge piece of art visible from BART and located in the economically disenfranchised flatlands of East Oakland, the mural tacitly acknowledged the city’s struggles, Spie says, while speaking to the historic resilience of its residents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983720\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983720\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2.jpg\" alt=\"A man in a jean jacket sitting by train tracks.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2041\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2-160x163.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2-768x784.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/DelPhresh2-1505x1536.jpg 1505w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pioneering Oakland graf writer Del Phresh takes a seat on E.12th Street \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>A Lasting Influence\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Since the late ’80s, Oakland has changed tenfold, as has the public perspective on graffiti. An art form once seen as a blight or public nuisance is now readily commissioned by developers and real estate agents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Phresh is happy that a few of his friends from back in the day are making money off their craft, explaining that when they were kids, that was their goal. “We all was hoping to do that when we started,” he says. “Parlay this art into making money.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When I ask if he himself has been properly compensated for his work, Phresh instantly replies, “Oh, hell no.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a BART train whizzes overhead, he clarifies that it’s not because he doesn’t understand his own worth. “With my art,” says Phresh, “I could charge three million for my stuff if I want to, based on my reputation.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But he’d rather give people something they can afford.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You gotta be sensible,” he says. “So, I always give my partners player prices for the work I do.” It doesn’t matter if it’s an auto body shop or a sign for a bakery, he says: “I could charge ’em more, and I know I’m worth more, but is that realistic?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_13983763\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1500px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13983763\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2000\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963.jpg 1500w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/11/img_7963-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland graffiti artist Del Phresh shows off his custom jacket. \u003ccite>(Pendarvis Harshaw/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>At 60, Phresh hasn’t stopped painting. He organized this gathering, and completed parts of the new mural, though he was largely assisted by painters from the community, including Dream’s son Akil and other members of TDK. Next summer, he and some of those same artists plan to hold an event titled \u003cem>The Kings of the East Bay\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking further ahead, to the future of the art form and the the next generation of graf writers, Phresh sounds slightly resigned as he says, “These new-school kids … I don’t really like a lot of the damage they do.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Taking a breath of accountability, he adds, “But at the same time, I can’t blame ’em,” he says, “‘Cause I influenced them.”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13983670/oakland-is-proud-mural-repainted-graffiti-artist-del-phresh",
"authors": [
"11491"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_235",
"arts_70"
],
"tags": [
"arts_5016",
"arts_10342",
"arts_10278",
"arts_903",
"arts_2907",
"arts_1737",
"arts_1143",
"arts_22268"
],
"featImg": "arts_13983757",
"label": "arts"
},
"arts_13962685": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "arts_13962685",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "13962685",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1723671278000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "banksys-animal-murals-meanings-london-zoo-monkeys-rhino-pelicans",
"title": "The Paint Is Dry on Banksy’s Nine Days of Animal-Themed London Street Art",
"publishDate": 1723671278,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "The Paint Is Dry on Banksy’s Nine Days of Animal-Themed London Street Art | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "arts"
},
"content": "\u003cp>On the 10th day, after creating the mountain goat, elephants, pelicans, a rhinoceros and a gorilla, among other animals, Banksy rested.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The elusive street artist’s menagerie that appeared around London over nine consecutive days apparently came to a conclusion after a final mural surprised staff who arrived early to feed the animals Tuesday at the London Zoo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postid='arts_13925194']There was nothing new posted Wednesday on the artist’s website or his Instagram page, where his avid fans typically learn of his recent work. Those who live close enough often rush out to view it and snap photos — sometimes before it can be snapped up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The zoo mural depicting a gorilla lifting up the entrance gate as birds took flight, a sea lion waddled away and three sets of eyes peered out from the darkness inside, was the last in the series, the BBC reported. A spokesperson for Banksy did not return multiple messages by The Associated Press.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fans of the artist, whose real identity is not known, continued to debate the meanings of the paintings online. Some suggested the animals represented people and that the murals spoke to the Israel-Palestinian war. Others said they referred to the recent riots in Britain blamed on the far-right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/WUTangKids/status/1821885856325472442\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Banksy, who has been known to advocate for human and animal rights, could have been suggesting the creatures needed to be liberated from incarceration, some said. Others suggested more innocent whimsy: the final painting was the big reveal of where all those other animals came from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jasper Tordoff, the Banksy expert at MyArtBroker, said there had been a theory as the number of animals multiplied successively from one to two to three in the first works that the artist was creating a Noah’s Ark theme that mirrored his previous religious satire. But that theory seemed shot when the fourth work was a lone wolf that “came out of nowhere,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postid='arts_13887999']Banksy’s art is often pointedly political and Tordoff said these recent murals, created using stencils and spray paint, are clever but simple works that are meant to be fun. The artist’s company told the Observer that the series was meant to bring some joy during a period of dark news.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Tordoff said Banksy may be making a commentary on human nature and the desire for possessions as at least one of the works has been stolen and others moved to preserve them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re in this pantomime of Banksy. We’re part of this installation in a way,” Tordoff said. “Banksy undoubtedly knew that all of this would be covered with photographs and CCTV about what the public reaction is, and that might be part of it, because that’s been just as entertaining in my view.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s a look at the nine works that were mostly painted as silhouettes:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 5: A mountain goat perched on a narrow building buttress and looking down as crumbling rocks appear to fall in west London.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 6: Two elephants painted on boarded-up windows on the side of a rowhouse in Chelsea face each other and reach out with their trunks. Followers on Instagram suggest they are the proverbial “elephants in the room” — that can’t be missed but no one wants to discuss them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 7: Three monkeys swing and hang on the side of a railway bridge in east London. Some fans say they represent the “see no, hear no, speak no evil” wise monkeys from ancient Japan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/mark_samuels/status/1821220436337730012\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 8: A lone howling wolf on a satellite dish breaks up what had appeared to be an ascending sequence of animals. The dish art had a short shelf life as masked men showed up with a ladder and climbed up on the roof above a storefront in south London, removed it and ran away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 9: Two pelicans were painted perched on the sign for a fish and chip shop in northeast London. One of the birds has its beak pointed upward and is catching a fish in its big mouth while the second one appears to be snapping up a fish that is part of the sign. The owners of the shop, which is closed until September, said on Instagram that it was “over the moon” Banksy decorated their shop. “Contrary to some beliefs, we didn’t ask him to do this, but are very grateful he did!” Bonners Fish Bar wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 10: A big cat stretches out on a dilapidated plywood billboard in north London. Crowds that had gathered to see it booed as contractors arrived to remove it for security reasons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/MyKindofLondon/status/1822663568807923715\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 11: The windows of a small police guard post were painted with a circling school of piranhas so that it appeared to look like a fish tank. This is the only work in the series painted in color. The sentry box near the Old Bailey criminal courthouse was taken to City of London corporate offices to protect it, a spokesperson said. It will eventually be placed where it can be viewed by the public.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 12: A rhinoceros painted on a brick wall appeared to be mounting a small Nissan car parked in front of it on the sidewalk. The rhino was later tagged with graffiti and the car was removed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/StreetArtUtopia/status/1822988803562213607\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 13: The zoo mural was discovered early Tuesday, said Dan Simmonds, animal operations manager at the zoo. “I’ve worked here for about 20 years, and this definitely wins the prize for my most surprising arrival at work,” he said. “A massive surprise for me. But indeed for all of London, indeed all of the world.” A day later, cyclists and runners stopped to snap selfies and photos of the painting that was behind barriers, protected by an acrylic shield and overseen by three security guards.\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "The final mural depicted a gorilla aiding other animals in an escape. Fans of the artist are still debating the series’ meaning.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1726700867,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 22,
"wordCount": 1039
},
"headData": {
"title": "Banksy’s Animal Street Art Finale Lands at London Zoo | KQED",
"description": "The final mural depicted a gorilla aiding other animals in an escape. Fans of the artist are still debating the series’ meaning.",
"ogTitle": "The Paint Is Dry on Banksy’s Nine Days of Animal-Themed London Street Art",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "The Paint Is Dry on Banksy’s Nine Days of Animal-Themed London Street Art",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"socialTitle": "Banksy’s Animal Street Art Finale Lands at London Zoo %%page%% %%sep%% KQED",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "The Paint Is Dry on Banksy’s Nine Days of Animal-Themed London Street Art",
"datePublished": "2024-08-14T14:34:38-07:00",
"dateModified": "2024-09-18T16:07:47-07:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png"
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "Brian Melley, Associated Press",
"nprStoryId": "kqed-13962685",
"templateType": "standard",
"featuredImageType": "standard",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/arts/13962685/banksys-animal-murals-meanings-london-zoo-monkeys-rhino-pelicans",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>On the 10th day, after creating the mountain goat, elephants, pelicans, a rhinoceros and a gorilla, among other animals, Banksy rested.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The elusive street artist’s menagerie that appeared around London over nine consecutive days apparently came to a conclusion after a final mural surprised staff who arrived early to feed the animals Tuesday at the London Zoo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "arts_13925194",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>There was nothing new posted Wednesday on the artist’s website or his Instagram page, where his avid fans typically learn of his recent work. Those who live close enough often rush out to view it and snap photos — sometimes before it can be snapped up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The zoo mural depicting a gorilla lifting up the entrance gate as birds took flight, a sea lion waddled away and three sets of eyes peered out from the darkness inside, was the last in the series, the BBC reported. A spokesperson for Banksy did not return multiple messages by The Associated Press.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fans of the artist, whose real identity is not known, continued to debate the meanings of the paintings online. Some suggested the animals represented people and that the murals spoke to the Israel-Palestinian war. Others said they referred to the recent riots in Britain blamed on the far-right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1821885856325472442"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>Banksy, who has been known to advocate for human and animal rights, could have been suggesting the creatures needed to be liberated from incarceration, some said. Others suggested more innocent whimsy: the final painting was the big reveal of where all those other animals came from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jasper Tordoff, the Banksy expert at MyArtBroker, said there had been a theory as the number of animals multiplied successively from one to two to three in the first works that the artist was creating a Noah’s Ark theme that mirrored his previous religious satire. But that theory seemed shot when the fourth work was a lone wolf that “came out of nowhere,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "arts_13887999",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Banksy’s art is often pointedly political and Tordoff said these recent murals, created using stencils and spray paint, are clever but simple works that are meant to be fun. The artist’s company told the Observer that the series was meant to bring some joy during a period of dark news.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Tordoff said Banksy may be making a commentary on human nature and the desire for possessions as at least one of the works has been stolen and others moved to preserve them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re in this pantomime of Banksy. We’re part of this installation in a way,” Tordoff said. “Banksy undoubtedly knew that all of this would be covered with photographs and CCTV about what the public reaction is, and that might be part of it, because that’s been just as entertaining in my view.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Here’s a look at the nine works that were mostly painted as silhouettes:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 5: A mountain goat perched on a narrow building buttress and looking down as crumbling rocks appear to fall in west London.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 6: Two elephants painted on boarded-up windows on the side of a rowhouse in Chelsea face each other and reach out with their trunks. Followers on Instagram suggest they are the proverbial “elephants in the room” — that can’t be missed but no one wants to discuss them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 7: Three monkeys swing and hang on the side of a railway bridge in east London. Some fans say they represent the “see no, hear no, speak no evil” wise monkeys from ancient Japan.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1821220436337730012"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 8: A lone howling wolf on a satellite dish breaks up what had appeared to be an ascending sequence of animals. The dish art had a short shelf life as masked men showed up with a ladder and climbed up on the roof above a storefront in south London, removed it and ran away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 9: Two pelicans were painted perched on the sign for a fish and chip shop in northeast London. One of the birds has its beak pointed upward and is catching a fish in its big mouth while the second one appears to be snapping up a fish that is part of the sign. The owners of the shop, which is closed until September, said on Instagram that it was “over the moon” Banksy decorated their shop. “Contrary to some beliefs, we didn’t ask him to do this, but are very grateful he did!” Bonners Fish Bar wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 10: A big cat stretches out on a dilapidated plywood billboard in north London. Crowds that had gathered to see it booed as contractors arrived to remove it for security reasons.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1822663568807923715"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 11: The windows of a small police guard post were painted with a circling school of piranhas so that it appeared to look like a fish tank. This is the only work in the series painted in color. The sentry box near the Old Bailey criminal courthouse was taken to City of London corporate offices to protect it, a spokesperson said. It will eventually be placed where it can be viewed by the public.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 12: A rhinoceros painted on a brick wall appeared to be mounting a small Nissan car parked in front of it on the sidewalk. The rhino was later tagged with graffiti and the car was removed.\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1822988803562213607"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>— Aug. 13: The zoo mural was discovered early Tuesday, said Dan Simmonds, animal operations manager at the zoo. “I’ve worked here for about 20 years, and this definitely wins the prize for my most surprising arrival at work,” he said. “A massive surprise for me. But indeed for all of London, indeed all of the world.” A day later, cyclists and runners stopped to snap selfies and photos of the painting that was behind barriers, protected by an acrylic shield and overseen by three security guards.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/arts/13962685/banksys-animal-murals-meanings-london-zoo-monkeys-rhino-pelicans",
"authors": [
"byline_arts_13962685"
],
"categories": [
"arts_1",
"arts_75",
"arts_70"
],
"tags": [
"arts_9124",
"arts_8811",
"arts_903",
"arts_22268",
"arts_5292"
],
"featImg": "arts_13962686",
"label": "arts"
}
},
"podcastsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"podcasts": {}
},
"radioProgramsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"radioPrograms": {}
},
"radioSearchSegmentsReducer": {},
"programsReducer": {
"all-things-considered": {
"id": "all-things-considered",
"title": "All Things Considered",
"info": "Every weekday, \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em> hosts Robert Siegel, Audie Cornish, Ari Shapiro, and Kelly McEvers present the program's trademark mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features. Michel Martin hosts on the weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 1pm-2pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm\u003cbr />SAT-SUN 5pm-6pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Things-Considered-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/all-things-considered"
},
"american-suburb-podcast": {
"id": "american-suburb-podcast",
"title": "American Suburb: The Podcast",
"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/American-Suburb-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 19
},
"link": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/RBrW",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=1287748328",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/American-Suburb-p1086805/",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/feed/podcast",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMzMDExODgxNjA5"
}
},
"baycurious": {
"id": "baycurious",
"title": "Bay Curious",
"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bay-Curious-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Bay Curious",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/baycurious",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 3
},
"link": "/podcasts/baycurious",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bay-curious/id1172473406",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500557090/bay-curious",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/category/bay-curious-podcast/feed/podcast",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9a90d476-aa04-455d-9a4c-0871ed6216d4/bay-curious",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/bay-curious",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6O76IdmhixfijmhTZLIJ8k"
}
},
"bbc-world-service": {
"id": "bbc-world-service",
"title": "BBC World Service",
"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9pm-10pm, TUE-FRI 1am-2am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBC-World-Service-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "BBC World Service"
},
"link": "/radio/program/bbc-world-service",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/global-news-podcast/id135067274?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/BBC-World-Service-p455581/",
"rss": "https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02nq0gn.rss"
}
},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
"tagline": "California, day by day",
"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-the-california-report/id79681292",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/26099305-72af-4542-9dde-ac1807fe36d5/kqed-s-the-california-report",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432285393/the-california-report",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-the-california-report-podcast-8838",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcram/feed/podcast"
}
},
"californiareportmagazine": {
"id": "californiareportmagazine",
"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
"airtime": "FRI 4:30pm-5pm, 6:30pm-7pm, 11pm-11:30pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Magazine-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report Magazine",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareportmagazine",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 10
},
"link": "/californiareportmagazine",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/564733126/the-california-report-magazine",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-california-report-magazine",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcrmag/feed/podcast"
}
},
"city-arts": {
"id": "city-arts",
"title": "City Arts & Lectures",
"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/cityartsandlecture-300x300.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.cityarts.net/",
"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
"subscribe": {
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/City-Arts-and-Lectures-p692/",
"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
"title": "Close All Tabs",
"tagline": "Your irreverent guide to the trends redefining our world",
"info": "Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CAT_2_Tile-scaled.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Close All Tabs",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 1
},
"link": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/close-all-tabs/id214663465",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC6993880386",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92d9d4ac-67a3-4eed-b10a-fb45d45b1ef2/close-all-tabs",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6LAJFHnGK1pYXYzv6SIol6?si=deb0cae19813417c"
}
},
"code-switch-life-kit": {
"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
"airtime": "SUN 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Switch-Life-Kit-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/code-switch-life-kit",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/1112190608?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510312/podcast.xml"
}
},
"commonwealth-club": {
"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/commonwealth-club-of-california-podcast/id976334034?mt=2",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Commonwealth-Club-of-California-p1060/"
}
},
"forum": {
"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/forum",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
"link": "/forum",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-forum/id73329719",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432307980/forum",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-forum-podcast",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9557381633"
}
},
"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
"title": "Freakonomics Radio",
"info": "Freakonomics Radio is a one-hour award-winning podcast and public-radio project hosted by Stephen Dubner, with co-author Steve Levitt as a regular guest. It is produced in partnership with WNYC.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
}
},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fresh-Air-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Fresh-Air-p17/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
}
},
"here-and-now": {
"id": "here-and-now",
"title": "Here & Now",
"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
"airtime": "MON-THU 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Here-And-Now-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/here-and-now",
"subsdcribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=426698661",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Here--Now-p211/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/hiddenbrain.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain",
"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Hidden-Brain-p787503/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510308/podcast.xml"
}
},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/How-I-Built-This-p910896/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510313/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
"imageAlt": "KQED Hyphenación",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hyphenaci%C3%B3n/id1191591838",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
"youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/c/kqedarts",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6c3dd23c-93fb-4aab-97ba-1725fa6315f1/hyphenaci%C3%B3n",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC2275451163"
}
},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/790253322/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/jerrybrown/feed/podcast/",
"tuneIn": "http://tun.in/pjGcK",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/54C1dmuyFyKMFttY6X2j6r?si=K8SgRCoISNK6ZbjpXrX5-w",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/44420f75-3b0e-4301-ab3b-16da6b09e543/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown"
}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/xtTd",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Latino-USA-p621/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201853034&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/APM-Marketplace-p88/",
"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
}
},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1078765985",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/464615685/mind-shift-podcast",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx"
}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/onourwatch",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0OLWoyizopu6tY1XiuX70x",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-Our-Watch-p1436229/",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id73801135",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
}
},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-breakdown/id1327641087",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/political-breakdown/feed/podcast"
}
},
"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/possible/id1677184070",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
}
},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pri.org/programs/the-world",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "PRI"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pri-the-world",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-the-world-latest-edition/id278196007?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/PRIs-The-World-p24/",
"rss": "http://feeds.feedburner.com/pri/theworld"
}
},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
"airtime": "SUN 12am-1am, SAT 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/radiolab1400.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/radiolab",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/RadioLab-p68032/",
"rss": "https://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab"
}
},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/reveal300px.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/reveal",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Reveal-p679597/",
"rss": "http://feeds.revealradio.org/revealpodcast"
}
},
"rightnowish": {
"id": "rightnowish",
"title": "Rightnowish",
"tagline": "Art is where you find it",
"info": "Rightnowish digs into life in the Bay Area right now… ish. Journalist Pendarvis Harshaw takes us to galleries painted on the sides of liquor stores in West Oakland. We'll dance in warehouses in the Bayview, make smoothies with kids in South Berkeley, and listen to classical music in a 1984 Cutlass Supreme in Richmond. Every week, Pen talks to movers and shakers about how the Bay Area shapes what they create, and how they shape the place we call home.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rightnowish-Podcast-Tile-500x500-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Rightnowish with Pendarvis Harshaw",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 16
},
"link": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/721590300/rightnowish",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/programs/rightnowish/feed/podcast",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rightnowish/id1482187648",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/rightnowish",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMxMjU5MTY3NDc4",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/7kEJuafTzTVan7B78ttz1I"
}
},
"science-friday": {
"id": "science-friday",
"title": "Science Friday",
"info": "Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and tries to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join host Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.",
"airtime": "FRI 11am-1pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Science-Friday-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/science-friday",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/science-friday",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=73329284&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Science-Friday-p394/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/science-friday"
}
},
"snap-judgment": {
"id": "snap-judgment",
"title": "Snap Judgment",
"tagline": "Real stories with killer beats",
"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
"airtime": "SAT 1pm-2pm, 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snap-Judgment-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Snap Judgment",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 4
},
"link": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snap-judgment/id283657561",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/449018144/snap-judgment",
"stitcher": "https://www.pandora.com/podcast/snap-judgment/PC:241?source=stitcher-sunset",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cct7ZWmxHNAtLgBTqjC5v",
"rss": "https://snap.feed.snapjudgment.org/"
}
},
"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sold-Out-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/soldout",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 13
},
"link": "/podcasts/soldout",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/911586047/s-o-l-d-o-u-t-a-new-future-for-housing",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america/id1531354937",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/soldout",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/38dTBSk2ISFoPiyYNoKn1X",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america",
"tunein": "https://tunein.com/radio/SOLD-OUT-Rethinking-Housing-in-America-p1365871/"
}
},
"spooked": {
"id": "spooked",
"title": "Spooked",
"tagline": "True-life supernatural stories",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spooked-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Spooked",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 7
},
"link": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooked/id1279361017",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/549547848/snap-judgment-presents-spooked",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/76571Rfl3m7PLJQZKQIGCT",
"rss": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/TBotaapn"
}
},
"tech-nation": {
"id": "tech-nation",
"title": "Tech Nation Radio Podcast",
"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
"airtime": "FRI 10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech-Nation-Radio-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://technation.podomatic.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "Tech Nation Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tech-nation",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://technation.podomatic.com/rss2.xml"
}
},
"ted-radio-hour": {
"id": "ted-radio-hour",
"title": "TED Radio Hour",
"info": "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ways to think and create.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm, SAT 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/tedRadioHour.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/?showDate=2018-06-22",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/ted-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/8vsS",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=523121474&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/TED-Radio-Hour-p418021/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510298/podcast.xml"
}
},
"thebay": {
"id": "thebay",
"title": "The Bay",
"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
"info": "Host Devin Katayama walks you through the biggest story of the day with reporters and newsmakers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bay-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Bay",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/thebay",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 2
},
"link": "/podcasts/thebay",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d800ea4c-7a2c-42f2-b861-edaf78a5db0b/the-bay",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/586725995/the-bay",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-bay",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/4BIKBKIujizLHlIlBNaAqQ",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC8259786327"
}
},
"thelatest": {
"id": "thelatest",
"title": "The Latest",
"tagline": "Trusted local news in real time",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Latest-2025-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Latest",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/thelatest",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 6
},
"link": "/thelatest",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latest-from-kqed/id1197721799",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1257949365/the-latest-from-k-q-e-d",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/5KIIXMgM9GTi5AepwOYvIZ?si=bd3053fec7244dba",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9137121918"
}
},
"theleap": {
"id": "theleap",
"title": "The Leap",
"tagline": "What if you closed your eyes, and jumped?",
"info": "Stories about people making dramatic, risky changes, told by award-winning public radio reporter Judy Campbell.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Leap-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Leap",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/theleap",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 17
},
"link": "/podcasts/theleap",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leap/id1046668171",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/447248267/the-leap",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-leap",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3sSlVHHzU0ytLwuGs1SD1U",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/programs/the-leap/feed/podcast"
}
},
"the-moth-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-moth-radio-hour",
"title": "The Moth Radio Hour",
"info": "Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.",
"airtime": "SAT 8pm-9pm and SUN 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/theMoth.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://themoth.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "prx"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-moth-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moth-podcast/id275699983?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/The-Moth-p273888/",
"rss": "http://feeds.themoth.org/themothpodcast"
}
},
"the-new-yorker-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"title": "The New Yorker Radio Hour",
"info": "The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Each episode features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling, and an occasional burst of humor inspired by the magazine, and shaped by its writers, artists, and editors. This isn't a radio version of a magazine, but something all its own, reflecting the rich possibilities of audio storytelling and conversation. Theme music for the show was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-YArDs.",
"airtime": "SAT 10am-11am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-New-Yorker-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/tnyradiohour",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1050430296",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/New-Yorker-Radio-Hour-p803804/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/newyorkerradiohour"
}
},
"the-sam-sanders-show": {
"id": "the-sam-sanders-show",
"title": "The Sam Sanders Show",
"info": "One of public radio's most dynamic voices, Sam Sanders helped launch The NPR Politics Podcast and hosted NPR's hit show It's Been A Minute. Now, the award-winning host returns with something brand new, The Sam Sanders Show. Every week, Sam Sanders and friends dig into the culture that shapes our lives: what's driving the biggest trends, how artists really think, and even the memes you can't stop scrolling past. Sam is beloved for his way of unpacking the world and bringing you up close to fresh currents and engaging conversations. The Sam Sanders Show is smart, funny and always a good time.",
"airtime": "FRI 12-1pm AND SAT 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Sam-Sanders-Show-Podcast-Tile-400x400-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "KCRW"
},
"link": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feed.cdnstream1.com/zjb/feed/download/ac/28/59/ac28594c-e1d0-4231-8728-61865cdc80e8.xml"
}
},
"the-splendid-table": {
"id": "the-splendid-table",
"title": "The Splendid Table",
"info": "\u003cem>The Splendid Table\u003c/em> hosts our nation's conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Splendid-Table-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.splendidtable.org/",
"airtime": "SUN 10-11 pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-splendid-table"
},
"this-american-life": {
"id": "this-american-life",
"title": "This American Life",
"info": "This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.",
"airtime": "SAT 12pm-1pm, 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/thisAmericanLife.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wbez"
},
"link": "/radio/program/this-american-life",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201671138&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"rss": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml"
}
},
"tinydeskradio": {
"id": "tinydeskradio",
"title": "Tiny Desk Radio",
"info": "We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.",
"airtime": "SUN 8pm and SAT 9pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/300x300-For-Member-Station-Logo-Tiny-Desk-Radio-@2x.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-52030/tiny-desk-radio",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tinydeskradio",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/g-s1-52030/rss.xml"
}
},
"wait-wait-dont-tell-me": {
"id": "wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"title": "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!",
"info": "Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest news and entertainment personalities.",
"airtime": "SUN 10am-11am, SAT 11am-12pm, SAT 6pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Wait-Wait-Podcast-Tile-300x300-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/Xogv",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=121493804&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Wait-Wait-Dont-Tell-Me-p46/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/344098539/podcast.xml"
}
},
"weekend-edition-saturday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-saturday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Saturday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Saturday wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. The two-hour program is hosted by NPR's Peabody Award-winning Scott Simon.",
"airtime": "SAT 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-saturday"
},
"weekend-edition-sunday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-sunday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Sunday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.",
"airtime": "SUN 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-sunday"
}
},
"racesReducer": {},
"racesGenElectionReducer": {},
"racesGenElection2026Reducer": {},
"radioSchedulesReducer": {},
"listsReducer": {
"posts/arts?tag=street-art": {
"isFetching": false,
"latestQuery": {
"from": 0,
"size": 12
},
"vitalsOnly": false,
"totalRequested": 3,
"isLoading": false,
"isLoadingMore": true,
"total": {
"value": 3,
"relation": "eq"
},
"items": [
"arts_13992975",
"arts_13983670",
"arts_13962685"
],
"complete": true
}
},
"recallGuideReducer": {
"intros": {},
"policy": {},
"candidates": {}
},
"savedArticleReducer": {
"articles": [],
"status": {}
},
"newslettersReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"newsletters": {},
"isSubscribing": false,
"isUnsubscribing": false,
"subscribedNewsletters": {}
},
"termsReducer": {
"about": {
"name": "About",
"type": "terms",
"id": "about",
"slug": "about",
"link": "/about",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts": {
"name": "Arts & Culture",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"description": "KQED Arts provides daily in-depth coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, as well as cultural commentary and criticism.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts",
"slug": "arts",
"link": "/arts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"artschool": {
"name": "Art School",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "artschool",
"slug": "artschool",
"link": "/artschool",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareabites": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareabites",
"slug": "bayareabites",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareahiphop": {
"name": "Bay Area Hiphop",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareahiphop",
"slug": "bayareahiphop",
"link": "/bayareahiphop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"campaign21": {
"name": "Campaign 21",
"type": "terms",
"id": "campaign21",
"slug": "campaign21",
"link": "/campaign21",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"careers": {
"name": "Careers",
"type": "terms",
"id": "careers",
"slug": "careers",
"link": "/careers",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"checkplease": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "checkplease",
"slug": "checkplease",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"education": {
"name": "Education",
"grouping": [
"education"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "education",
"slug": "education",
"link": "/education",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"elections": {
"name": "Elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "elections",
"slug": "elections",
"link": "/elections",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"events": {
"name": "Events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "events",
"slug": "events",
"link": "/events",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"event": {
"name": "Event",
"alias": "events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "event",
"slug": "event",
"link": "/event",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"filmschoolshorts": {
"name": "Film School Shorts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "filmschoolshorts",
"slug": "filmschoolshorts",
"link": "/filmschoolshorts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"food": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "food",
"slug": "food",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"forum": {
"name": "Forum",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/forum?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "forum",
"slug": "forum",
"link": "/forum",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"futureofyou": {
"name": "Future of You",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "futureofyou",
"slug": "futureofyou",
"link": "/futureofyou",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"jpepinheart": {
"name": "KQED food",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/food,bayareabites,checkplease",
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "jpepinheart",
"slug": "jpepinheart",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"liveblog": {
"name": "Live Blog",
"type": "terms",
"id": "liveblog",
"slug": "liveblog",
"link": "/liveblog",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"livetv": {
"name": "Live TV",
"parent": "tv",
"type": "terms",
"id": "livetv",
"slug": "livetv",
"link": "/livetv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"lowdown": {
"name": "The Lowdown",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/lowdown?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "lowdown",
"slug": "lowdown",
"link": "/lowdown",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"mindshift": {
"name": "Mindshift",
"parent": "news",
"description": "MindShift explores the future of education by highlighting the innovative – and sometimes counterintuitive – ways educators and parents are helping all children succeed.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "mindshift",
"slug": "mindshift",
"link": "/mindshift",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news": {
"name": "News",
"grouping": [
"news",
"forum"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "news",
"slug": "news",
"link": "/news",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"newsletters": {
"name": "newsletters",
"type": "terms",
"id": "newsletters",
"slug": "newsletters",
"link": "/newsletters",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"perspectives": {
"name": "Perspectives",
"parent": "radio",
"type": "terms",
"id": "perspectives",
"slug": "perspectives",
"link": "/perspectives",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"podcasts": {
"name": "Podcasts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"link": "/podcasts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pop": {
"name": "Pop",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pop",
"slug": "pop",
"link": "/pop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pressroom": {
"name": "Pressroom",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pressroom",
"slug": "pressroom",
"link": "/pressroom",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"quest": {
"name": "Quest",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "quest",
"slug": "quest",
"link": "/quest",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"radio": {
"name": "Radio",
"grouping": [
"forum",
"perspectives"
],
"description": "Listen to KQED Public Radio – home of Forum and The California Report – on 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 88.1 FM in Martinez.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "radio",
"slug": "radio",
"link": "/radio",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"root": {
"name": "KQED",
"image": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"imageWidth": 1200,
"imageHeight": 630,
"headData": {
"title": "KQED | News, Radio, Podcasts, TV | Public Media for Northern California",
"description": "KQED provides public radio, television, and independent reporting on issues that matter to the Bay Area. We’re the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California."
},
"type": "terms",
"id": "root",
"slug": "root",
"link": "/root",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science": {
"name": "Science",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"description": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "science",
"slug": "science",
"link": "/science",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"stateofhealth": {
"name": "State of Health",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "stateofhealth",
"slug": "stateofhealth",
"link": "/stateofhealth",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"support": {
"name": "Support",
"type": "terms",
"id": "support",
"slug": "support",
"link": "/support",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"thedolist": {
"name": "The Do List",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "thedolist",
"slug": "thedolist",
"link": "/thedolist",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"trulyca": {
"name": "Truly CA",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "trulyca",
"slug": "trulyca",
"link": "/trulyca",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"tv": {
"name": "TV",
"type": "terms",
"id": "tv",
"slug": "tv",
"link": "/tv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"voterguide": {
"name": "Voter Guide",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "voterguide",
"slug": "voterguide",
"link": "/voterguide",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"guiaelectoral": {
"name": "Guia Electoral",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "guiaelectoral",
"slug": "guiaelectoral",
"link": "/guiaelectoral",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts_tag_street-art": {
"isLoading": true
},
"arts_22268": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22268",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22268",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "street art",
"slug": "street-art",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "street art Archives | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 22280,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/street-art"
},
"source_arts_13992975": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "source_arts_13992975",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"name": "Finding Your People",
"link": "https://www.kqed.org/findingyourpeople",
"isLoading": false
},
"arts_1": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Arts",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Arts Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1,
"slug": "arts",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/arts"
},
"arts_235": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_235",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "235",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 236,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/news"
},
"arts_70": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_70",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "70",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Visual Arts",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Visual Arts Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 71,
"slug": "visualarts",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/visualarts"
},
"arts_9750": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_9750",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "9750",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "college",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "college Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 9762,
"slug": "college",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/college"
},
"arts_10278": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_10278",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "10278",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-arts",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-arts Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 10290,
"slug": "featured-arts",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/featured-arts"
},
"arts_22691": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22691",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22691",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Finding Your People",
"slug": "finding-your-people",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Finding Your People | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 22703,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/finding-your-people"
},
"arts_22024": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_22024",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "22024",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Mural",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Mural Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 22036,
"slug": "mural",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/mural"
},
"arts_9011": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_9011",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "9011",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "muralist",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "muralist Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 9023,
"slug": "muralist",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/muralist"
},
"arts_1737": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1737",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1737",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "murals",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "murals Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1749,
"slug": "murals",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/murals"
},
"arts_1143": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_1143",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "1143",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Oakland",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Oakland Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 692,
"slug": "oakland",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/oakland"
},
"arts_11453": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_11453",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "11453",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "oakland murals",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "oakland murals Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 11465,
"slug": "oakland-murals",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/oakland-murals"
},
"arts_822": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_822",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "822",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "photography",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "photography Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 840,
"slug": "photography",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/photography"
},
"arts_21866": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21866",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21866",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Arts and Culture",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Arts and Culture Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21878,
"slug": "arts-and-culture",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/arts-and-culture"
},
"arts_21876": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21876",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21876",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Education",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Education Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21888,
"slug": "education",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/education"
},
"arts_21879": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21879",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21879",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Entertainment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Entertainment Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21891,
"slug": "entertainment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/entertainment"
},
"arts_21860": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21860",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21860",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Oakland",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Oakland Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21872,
"slug": "oakland",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/oakland"
},
"arts_5016": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_5016",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "5016",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "east oakland",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "east oakland Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 5028,
"slug": "east-oakland",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/east-oakland"
},
"arts_10342": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_10342",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "10342",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "editorspick",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "editorspick Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 10354,
"slug": "editorspick",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/editorspick"
},
"arts_903": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_903",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "903",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "graffiti",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "graffiti Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 921,
"slug": "graffiti",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/graffiti"
},
"arts_2907": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_2907",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "2907",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "mike dream francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "mike dream francisco Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 2919,
"slug": "mike-dream-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/mike-dream-francisco"
},
"arts_21871": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_21871",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "21871",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "East Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "East Bay Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21883,
"slug": "east-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/interest/east-bay"
},
"arts_75": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_75",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "75",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Pop Culture",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Pop Culture Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 76,
"slug": "popculture",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/category/popculture"
},
"arts_9124": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_9124",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "9124",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Animals",
"slug": "animals",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Animals | KQED Arts",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 9136,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/animals"
},
"arts_8811": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_8811",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "8811",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "banksy",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "banksy Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 8823,
"slug": "banksy",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/banksy"
},
"arts_5292": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts_5292",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "arts",
"id": "5292",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "uk",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "uk Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 5304,
"slug": "uk",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/arts/tag/uk"
}
},
"userPermissionsReducer": {
"wpLoggedIn": false
},
"eventsReducer": {},
"fssReducer": {},
"tvDailyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvWeeklyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvPrimetimeScheduleReducer": {},
"tvMonthlyScheduleReducer": {},
"userAccountReducer": {
"user": {
"email": null,
"emailStatus": "EMAIL_UNVALIDATED",
"loggedStatus": "LOGGED_OUT",
"loggingChecked": false,
"articles": [],
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"phoneNumber": null,
"fetchingMembership": false,
"membershipError": false,
"memberships": [
{
"id": null,
"startDate": null,
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"familyNumber": null,
"memberNumber": null,
"memberSince": null,
"expirationDate": null,
"pfsEligible": false,
"isSustaining": false,
"membershipLevel": "Prospect",
"membershipStatus": "Non Member",
"lastGiftDate": null,
"renewalDate": null,
"lastDonationAmount": null
}
]
},
"authModal": {
"isOpen": false,
"view": "LANDING_VIEW"
},
"error": null
},
"youthMediaReducer": {},
"checkPleaseReducer": {
"filterData": {
"region": {
"key": "Restaurant Region",
"filters": [
"Any Region"
]
},
"cuisine": {
"key": "Restaurant Cuisine",
"filters": [
"Any Cuisine"
]
}
},
"restaurantDataById": {},
"restaurantIdsSorted": [],
"error": null
},
"userAgentReducer": {
"userAgent": "Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)",
"isBot": true
},
"requestOutcomesReducer": {
"notFound": []
}
}
