One of our Alternative Education schools, Star School, partnered with Made Fresh Crew/Seawalls and the City of Santa Cruz Climate Action Board for a three-day workshop for students to learn about climate change and art as a form of activism.
Day 1: Students did a walking tour of downtown to view seven murals that Sea Walls Santa Cruz created. Taylor Reinhold from Made Fresh Crew gave students a biography about each artist and the environmental justice message the artist was trying to convey. Students also learned about the Sea Walls organization as a whole and how it was executed in Santa Cruz. Tiffany Wise-West, the Sustainability + Climate Action Manager from the City of Santa Cruz also stopped by to introduce herself and share what Santa Cruz is doing to combat climate change.
Day 2: Rachel Kippen presented on climate change and how it impacts our oceans and communities, as well as what environmental and climate justice mean. Taylor from Made Fresh Crew presented how he became an artist, how to turn art into a career, and how art can be a form of activism. Students created small postcards inspired by our oceans.
Day 3: Students painted two murals focused on environmental justice.
All students participating in this workshop were given a certificate of participation, a $25 gift card and delicious meals.