CIVIC DESIGN STUDIO
Upcoming Events 2025
“Past Present Futures” - February 2025
Saturday February 22, 3-5pm, Oakland Main Library, 125 14th Street. Go to main entrance and proceed to the courtyard.
In collaboration with Oakland Public Library - Main Branch and Oakland International High School.
Past Present Futures is a multiyear art effort that started in a freshman Art 1 class led by Sara Stillman. OIHS students learned to papercut and stencil their own immigrant story. The artwork was promoted by Civic Design Studio in gallery displays in Oakland, San Francisco and San Denis, Paris France, home to the largest population of refugee immigrants in Europe.
Students used the original artwork to learn Adobe Illustrator, and converted their paper cuts to digital designs. Civic then took the designs to Castlemont High School Fabrication Lab, where they were carved into relief sculpture designs. Come celebrate the fruits of 3 years of hard work and artistry.
Creative Expo - April 2025
Sat, April 19, 12-5pm, 9th St and Broadway, Old Oakland
The CREATIVE EXPO is a free public event showcasing over a dozen OUSD arts programs, hundreds of OUSD and Peralta Colleges teachers and students, 20 Oakland creative industry and community collaborators, and over 30 Old Oakland restaurants and merchants. There will be art installations on display, music, performances, artwork and wares for sale, as well as games, attractions, food, and activities for all ages.
In order to meet our goals, we need the help and support from pillars in the community like you. Please make a donation to help sponsor our event! See our sponsorship levels in the attachment, and select “Civic Design Studio” when you click on the link.
Civic Summer Studio - June 2025
Every year, the Civic Art Squad members lead our Civic Summer Studio, where we bring together 50+ students from across 5+ OUSD schools and community colleges to collaborate and contribute to large-scale community art projects that has gone on to receive awards at state and international levels.
In ongoing partnerships with a network of affordable housing developers, Art Squad and summer interns collaborate to create art panels to beautify and enhance affordable housing buildings in Oakland and the Bay Area.
Harvest Festival - October 2025
In conjunction with Castlemont High School Farm and a team of community organizations
As a part of “Propa,” our multiyear arts ecology and education initiative, the Harvest Festival brings together schools and their neighboring community to learn about and celebrate a school farm, creek and fabrication lab that is our home base