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:

Lincoln students study ancient civilizations in the 6th grade. To enhance their learning about Egypt, teacher Amy Frary had her students make their own hieroglyphics by pressing a stylus on the back of soft metal. Each cartouche is filled with pictorial symbols that represent words or sounds, or both. 10 prints were selected from the many cartouches from Ms. Frary’s 1st and 3rd period history classes. The prints have a short explanation of what had been drawn on each piece of metal.

Location: Second Floor, The Main Library
1550 Oak Street
On Display Until: March 31, 2026

Sgraffito is the technique of scraping away an outer pigment so that the inner layer of paint shows through. Wood Middle School students scraped fine lines into black paint to create their pets, as well to make owls, puffins, apes, lions, snakes and bears. The lines made in the black paint give depth to fur and feather in each animal. But best of all are the inquisitive eyes that gaze out at the viewer. Art Teacher: Lindsey Shepard

Location: Second Floor, The Main Library
1550 Oak Street
On Display Until: March 31, 2026

March is one of the best times to catch the Aurora Borealis since the northern skies are most vibrant during the Spring Equinox. To celebrate nature’s light show, Otis 4th graders turned to the work Jen Aranyi for inspiration. Ms. Aranyi is known for her circular landscapes as well as her insistence that children get out into nature. Each student drew a circle using black and white line art for the forests and mountains. Using watercolor, they created night skies filled with rays of green, red, purple, pink and yellow. Thanks goes to teacher, Jordona Elderts for combining art and science.

Location: First Floor, The Main Library
1550 Oak Street
On Display Until: April 30, 2026

Layered Line Drawings by Art 2 students from Alameda High School are on exhibit at the Bay Farm Island Branch Library. With markers, students created geometric designs using parallel lines (hatching) to create shape and depth. Students practiced making small line drawings before completing their larger work and several of these first drafts on are display as well. The work is multicolored, with lines swirling across the paper. Art teacher: Allison Henley.

Location: Bay Farm Island Library,
3221 Mecartney Rd
On Display Until: February 28, 2025

Encinal students in grades 7 – 12 painted the Bay Bridge, Encinal’s campus, Webster Street and South Shore, as well as places they have visited and countries where their families have come from. Using fine line markers to outline their subjects and then watercolor, each painting balances exactness with transparency. The result are very evocative works. Though not included in the exhibit, each student wrote an artist statement about their painting. Art 1 Teacher: Laura Eggett.

Location: West End Library,
788 Santa Clara Ave.
On Display Until: March 31, 2026

These vibrant Wax Transfers were made by 3rd graders at Bay Farm Elementary. Students were invited to choose a printed animal photo that spoke to them. They colored the back side of the photos using wax crayon, then placed the photo on top of a blank paper and traced over the image. Students enjoyed the moment of lifting up the photo and seeing how their designs magically transferred onto the paper below. They painted in their animal transfer using watercolors, choosing contrasting colors in warm tones or cool tones. Through this project, students were working on a broader exploration of line and drawing, learning how to see, create lines, and build engagement and persistence. Classroom Teacher: Mrs. Breuer. Art Teacher: Mrs. Winkler.

Location: See Spot Run,
1320 Park Street
On Display Until: March 14, 2026

Art Across the Island is made possible by a generous grant from the Schuler-Heimburger Family Fund of the East Bay Community Foundation.

Please consider a donation to keep arts alive for Alameda students.