Meet the Illustrator
Jerl Laws
Jerl Laws, raised in Oakland, is a school designer. He's currently designing an Oakland school called REP Academy. REP will focus on training Oakland students in the art of digital communications and social marketing. This is Jerl's second book after he published The Prince Escape with his daughter, Sadiya.
Meet the Muralists
ANGEL DE LA GUARDA - CHRIS GRANILLO
1721 International Blvd. (behind Jalisco restaurant), East Oakland, CA
As a Palm Springs native and current Oakland resident, Chris Granillo is the epitome of what it means to be an artist. Having grown up in the desert, he never let a lack of opportunities or resources dictate his ability to be and grow as an artist. Chris has used his talent to uplift, unify, and beautify communities and has created outdoor art galleries that neighborhoods are proud to call their own.
BORN TO BE LOVED - CHRIS “ROYYAL DOG” SHIM
1128 Lincoln Ave, Alameda, CA
Graffiti artist Royyal Dog uses his work to conceptually bridge the gap between cultures and traditional limitations. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Chris has created magnificently beautiful works in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Guam, Hawaii, Isreal, Korea, Amsterdam, and more. His depictions of girls and women of color in traditional Korean Hanboks are as revolutionary as they are breathtaking.
LOVE YOUR CITY - FREE HUMANITY
1000 Central Avenue, Alameda, CA
Free Humanity is an L.A.-based Street Artist/Muralist, internationally known for his multicultural hearts and positive message. His mission statement sums up his ideal for his work: “Taking back the humanity stolen from our minds by social manipulation.
INTERTRIBAL FRIENDSHIP HOUSE - Jason Dobbs
523 International Blvd., Oakland, CA
“We envision a future where Native people in the Bay Area are rooted in strong cultural connections, intergenerational healing and traditions that will help future generations.”
—Carol Wahpepoh IFH Executive Director
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - DANTE ORPILLA
Dragon School, 10th Avenue & Madison St., Oakland, CA
Dragon School, in Chinatown, Oakland, enlisted Dante Orpilla to create this piece. During a difficult time in his life, Dante discovered art as a therapeutic way to transcend his circumstances. His work as an artist is aligned with Dragon School’s mission to unite and beautify communities through art.