Art Across the Island

Over 6,500 works of student art have been displayed since Art Across the Island began in 2016. Every Alameda public school has participated in the program and locations including small businesses such as Books Inc., Lilac Dress Boutique, See Spot Run, all three of our city libraries, the College of Alameda library and the K Gallery at Rhythmix Cultural Works.

In 2018, Art Beyond Our Island sent 300 pieces of student artwork to schools impacted by the Camp Fire.

Please stop by and view student art at these locations:

Nature poetry inspired by the work of writer Maw Shein Win is at the Bay Farm Island Branch Library. 2 separate schools (Edison 3rd graders and Bay Farm 8th graders) used Haiku, the three sentence (5-7-5 syllable) structure, to concisely portray the great outdoors. Some students approached their topic by putting themselves in nature through sports and camping. In other poems, nature took center stage and became beautiful, sublime and harsh. More poetry is on display at Rhythmix Cultural Works’ K Gallery. Thanks goes to Edison teacher Glenn Aitkens and Bay Farm Middle School teacher Matt Geesey.

Location: Bay Farm Island Library,
3221 Mecartney Rd
On Display Until: June 30, 2025

Two Maya Lin classes are presented at the West End Library. Poetry by Patricia Sanchez’s kindergartners continues to be displayed. Accompanying these food poems and drawings are Matisse-inspired collage by Michelle Wong’s 2ndgraders. Ms. Wong’s students have spent much of the spring studying the use of space in art. In their collage, they combine positive space (the subject in a work of art) with negative space (the area that surrounds the subject). Students started by cutting abstract shapes from pieces of colored construction paper (the cutout shapes create negative space once the construction paper in placed on a white background). The students then placed the small cutout paper on the top half of their work. The above photo shows how the two halves mirror each other. Art Teacher: Constance Moore.

Location: West End Library,
788 Santa Clara Ave.
On Display Until: July 31, 2025

Fine line drawings by Wood Middle School are at Lilac. Art teacher, Lindsey Shepard, asked her students to create realistic drawings surrounded by the 7 Elements of Art. The subject matter was diverse. Several students made their own version of Vermeer’s Girl with A Pearl Earring; others drew anime characters. Animals and plants were also portrayed. The central figures were surrounded by 7 sections. One each for line, shape, form, space, value, color and texture (made with lots of colorful yarn). These drawings show great technique and a huge amount of imagination.

Location: Lilac
1918 Encinal Ave.
On Display Until: July 15, 2025

Paul Klee’s Cat and Bird has inspired countless student art projects. In its latest iteration, Paden 5th graders have chosen to draw Cats and Dogs, all with wide eyes, narrow nose and pink tongue that are the hallmarks of Klee’s original painting. Many of the students chose coloring and markings so that their images resembled their own pets. Other animals have green or blue fur and one kitty sports a familiar pink bow. Primary colors (blue, red and yellow) were used to frame the work. Teacher: Jessica Florey.

Location: See Spot Run,
1320 Park Street
On Display Until: July 15, 2025