ArtEsteem

Explore College Prep Academy, Westlake Middle School, Claremont Middle School, and West Oakland Middle School, serving West Oakland and North Oakland (2009)

OFFTA funds supported Attitudinal Healing Connection’s ArtEsteem program activities (Visual Arts, Fashion Design, and Cultural Arts) during and after school in four Oakland public middle schools. Resident Artists taught art and literacy skills that engaged the students in creative, hands-on activities geared to fostering critical thinking and self-expression. At Claremont, a variety of art tools were used to reach students to help them progress socially, academically, artistically and emotionally. A Mindful Drumming class at West Oakland School served 6th through 8th graders, taking them through a process of self reflection, rhythm, history, and community; a Visual Art/Airbrush Class served Extended Day and after school programs at Westlake; and students at Explore studied 2D visual arts, including drawing, painting, and printmaking.