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:

Snowflakes fall against a deep blue sky in a wintry display by Edison Kindergartners. Students folded and cut coffee filters in snowflake patterns. Like real snowflakes, each are a unique design of cut out rectangles, circles, triangles or hearts. Then the kindergartners used markers to fill the snowflakes with color. Spraying water on the marker ink made the paper look as delicate as snow crystals. The end result are snowflakes that shine like rainbows or glisten like gold. Other snowflakes take on subtle earth tones or resemble washed denim. Thanks goes to Kate Faryngesh for bringing snowy magic to her classroom.

Location: Children’s Section, Main Library
1550 Oak Street
On Display Until: February 28, 2025

Bay Farm 3rd graders have created a forest of shimmering trees. Students used pencils to draw tree trunks and branches that combined realism with intersecting geometric lines. Chalk added color, embellishing the branches and creating vivid abstract art. Each tree is individual; some stand with barren limbs to suggest late fall and winter, others are in vibrant bloom. Art Teacher: Cathy Fong. Classroom Teacher: Jean Liu

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

This fall, Junior Jet sixth graders learned key principals of graphic design using Google’s Canva program. By examining the work of influential designers and brainstorming among themselves, they honed their visual communication skills to produce an amazing array of posters. Students addressed important issues like vaping, pollution and cyber bullying. They showed school pride with logos tied to Alameda’s Naval Air history. And they revealed their individuality in autobiographical posters that are dreamlike and direct. Teacher: Diana Henneman.

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

Using markers and crayons, Franklin third graders pay homage to Bill Peet’s wonderful story: The Spooky Tail of Prewitt Peacock. Prewitt is an ugly duckling of a peacock with an uninspiring plume of tail feathers. But those same feathers, with two large eyes, are just the thing to scare off a tiger and turn Prewitt into a hero. Using blues, purples and greens, each student captures their own version of a peacock with its regal head, long neck and massive train. Thanks goes to Jodi Barzelatto for combining art and literature.

Location: Lilac Dress Boutique
1918 Encinal Ave.
On Display Until: March 15, 2025

What part of your body explains the most about you? Maya Lin third graders were asked this question after reading body poems by third, fourth and fifth graders in Wendy Ewald’s book The Best Part of Me. With humor and poignancy, Maya Lin students celebrate the strength of their arms and legs, the glory of their hair and the necessity of brain, skin and bones. These thoughtful poems bring new appreciation of the wonderful parts that make us human. Teacher: Tara Yudenfreund

Location: Books, Inc. Alameda,
1320 Park Street
On Display Until: January 31, 2025

Winter bears have come to See Spot Run in an encore exhibit of work by 2019-20 third graders from Earhart. These bear portraits are anchored by colorful sweaters that are filled with geometric shapes. Fine lines of ink make the bear fur amazingly realistic. Each animal’s face is unique through the use of different shapes of eyes, ears and snouts. AEF is so glad to show this work again. Thanks goes to Rachel Yuen and her former students who are now eighth graders.

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