“I was 22 years old when I first stepped foot on an elementary school campus in Oakland as a substitute teacher.
Taking over a first grade classroom that had been abandoned by its teacher mid-year, I found the conditions of the school disheartening and appalling.
The destructive cultural norms and socioeconomic trauma internalized by small children was unsettling, but I found joy in creating beauty and organization in the classroom.
I found that engaging young people in art had an amazing effect. I also observed how my students learned to trust and rely on me and how the structure, consistency, love and critical awareness I brought into the space developed inspiration and motivation in my students.
This experience laid the foundation for my path and passion to disrupt negative belief systems and use art and creativity to build self-esteem and a platform for positive vision and expression.
For me, it is fundamental for ArtEsteem to remain in Oakland and continue the vision of my parents. Given the destructive history of urban redevelopment through the practices of redlining, marginalization and oppression, the work to repair the harm that has been done needs to be an essential priority in rebuilding our communities. Building the Center for ArtEsteem creates a bright path like the Sankofa bird Adinkra symbol that cleanses our past as we build a benevolent future.”
- Amana Harris, Executive Director
MISSION: ArtEsteem empowers individuals to be self-aware and inspired through art, creativity, and education; to make positive choices to break the cycle of violence for themselves and their communities.
ORIGIN STORY: ArtEsteem began its work in 1989, at the corner of 33rd and West Street in West Oakland’s Hoover-Foster neighborhood. Our founders, Aeeshah and Kokomon Clottey, opened up the bottom flat of their home to engage the community in healing and creativity with the fundamental and radical understanding that racism is a life-threatening disease. They believed the problem of racism was a spiritual dilemma and needed a spiritual approach for healing.
In their re-released book, Color Theory, they explain that racism is “intricately related to the problem of separation, of feeling different from and separate from.”
With work and ethic rooted in the 12 Principles of Attitudinal Healing, ArtEsteem creates a refuge for the personal healing that is essential to creating broader community and societal transformation.
• Art in Schools
- During and after-school arts integrated programming
- Distribution of ArtEsteem ArtKits with accompanying custom grade-level based activity guides
- Professional development for teachers
• Oakland Legacy Project
- Environmental arts and leadership after-school program for youth
• Annual art exhibition showcasing student artwork produced in ArtEsteem classes
• Mobile art trailer for outdoor programming at schools, festivals, and private events
• Attitudinal Healing and Racial Healing circles for public and private entities
• Community beautification with the Oakland Mural Project, encompassing the Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project and our series of community murals
Since 1989 ArtEsteem programs have impacted over 125,000 children, youth, families, and individuals.
At our new property, ArtEsteem will:
Double the number of children, youth and families served per year from 2,500 to 5,000 on and off-site.
More than triple the number of children/ youth served per week in on-site classes from 30 to 100.
Double the number of on site art, healing and community workshops and events per year from 25 to 50.
Maintain and equip the dynamic ArtEsteem ArtMobile to deliver programs and supplies to over 5,000 youth and adults at 36 schools, organizations and events around the Bay Area.
PROJECT VISION
Create a permanent sanctuary for the West Oakland community that provides space for creativity, the arts, and community-strengthening.
Total Projected Capital Project Cost: $4.3 Million
PHASE 1:
3111 West Street
Property Acquisition and Renovation Costs: $1.0 MillionPHASE 2:
3115 West Street
Build Out/Soft Costs/Fundraising Costs: $3.3 Million
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Own and Renovate a historic Colonial Revival House at 3111 West Street
Own and Build a New Studio, Exhibit, and Event Space at 3115 West Street
Create a beautiful outdoor courtyard for daily use and larger community gatherings
DESIGN DRIVERS
Cultural Recognition & Celebration: aesthetics that reflect the cultures, ethnicities, and histories of the diverse members of the West Oakland community
Preservation of a Community Asset: adaptive reuse of a historic residential structure that respects the architectural history of the neighborhood and claims it as an asset for the local community’s long-term benefit
Environmental Responsibility: construction that integrates sustainable materials and installs energy efficient systems that connect to, and rehabilitate existing infrastructure
Functional & Adaptable Design: spatial design that supports and accommodates ArtEsteem’s ever-evolving programs for generations to come
Human Scale & Sensibility: design elements that are responsive to real human needs and expressions, resulting in a space for healing, restoration, and creativity
HISTORIC COLONIAL REVIVAL
The project will work to preserve and enhance some of the historic architectural details and attributes of the Colonial Revival structure, originally built in 1909. The comprehensive, gut renovation will allow for a variety of open work spaces and more intimate and private conference rooms and private offices. These spaces will be interchangeable to accommodate larger meeting and gathering spaces.
NEWLY CONSTRUCTED STUDIO, EXHIBIT, AND EVENT BUILDING
The newly constructed building will have two levels. The bottom level will serve as a studio workshop, exhibit, and event area. The studio workshop will host classes of up to 20 children, youth, and adults at a time with the ability to serve as gallery, exhibit, and event space for up to 49 guests. The upstairs level will offer private office and meeting rooms, space for larger staff meetings, and an outdoor deck to accommodate staff team building activities and larger staff gatherings.
OPEN SPACES
The newly landscaped courtyard will accommodate healing circles, drum circles, community gatherings, events, celebrations, and more. The open courtyard environment will allow for larger festivities also connecting to the interior spaces, holistically accommodating up to 200 attendees. Utilitarian, non-obtrusive parking areas will be designed to complement the aesthetics of ArtEsteem’s new home.
Hours of operation for The Center for ArtEsteem will be 10:00am–6:00pm for standard operating hours and 8:00am–10:00pm for special events.
Since its founding in 1989, ArtEsteem’s programs and growth have been hindered by a lack of space permanency. Nevertheless, ArtEsteem programming has successfully attracted and exposed thousands of young people, families, and adults to innovative ways of healing, creating, and thinking.
ArtEsteem’s decision to purchase and develop this property in West Oakland will bring value, ingenuity, hope, and beauty to a community whose history has been known for its diversity and complexity.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of a generous donation to support the campaign for Building the Center for ArtEsteem.
Contact Executive Director Amana Harris at amana@ahc-oakland.org to discuss your contribution options.
Donate directly to the campaign below!
Leadership Committee
Adam Menter
Co-founder & Catalyst / Board President, Greenermind
Diane Cirincione Jampolsky, Ph.D.
Founder & Executive Director, Attitudinal Healing International
Sabah Harris, M.Ed.
Graduate Student - Master in Business Administration, Loyola Marymount University
Susan Poncelet
Board Member, Oakland Promise
Willard Davis
Board President, The Center for ArtEsteem
Collaborators & Sponsors
Architect
Builder
Building Consultant
Sponsors
