Wide Open Walls 2023: Sacramento Schools Get Time to Shine

The Wide Open Walls (WOW) festival, which originated as the Sacramento Mural Festival in 2016, has evolved into a remarkable celebration of art and community, thanks to the dedicated efforts of principal organizer/curator David Sobon, and a coalition of public and private interests. Over the years, this extraordinary event has embellished the urban landscape of the greater Sacramento area, including its suburbs, by adorning more than 200 walls with captivating murals.

Evaristo Angurria. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)

In line with its commitment to uplifting schools, the WOW festival took on a renewed emphasis on school campuses this year, with Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School as a prominent example. Collaborating with approximately 40 artists, encompassing local talents and renowned national and international figures, the festival unveiled a collection of awe-inspiring murals within the school grounds, captivating the imaginations of students, educators, and the wider community.

Evaristo Angurria. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)

The WOW festival is a powerful manifestation of the symbiotic relationship between art, society, and business. It forges connections, fosters cultural understanding, and instills a sense of community pride by creating new murals that respond to the community. This year, celebrated photographer Martha Cooper was invited to document as many of the new murals as possible, and we are delighted to share her captivating captures with the readers of Brooklyn Street Art.

Within the walls of Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School, the murals become portals to the imagination, stimulating critical thinking and nurturing cultural appreciation among the students. This project creates an environment where creativity and learning converge, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who experience it. The profound impact of the WOW festival at Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School stands as a testament to the enduring power of art in shaping communities, inspiring young minds, and hopefully cultivating an engaging and inclusive world.

Evaristo Angurria. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Nico Few & Far. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Nico Few & Far. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Ian The Painter. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Ian The Painter. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Ian The Painter. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Emer916. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Emer916. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jonathan Martinez. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jonathan Martinez. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Rachel Wolfe. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jose DiGregorio. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jose DiGregorio. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
HERA. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
HERA. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Ryan Dominguez. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Ryan Dominguez. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Leon Willis. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Wide Open Walls team member, Karin du Maire provided invaluable assistance to Martha during her stay in Sacramento with transportation around the city; she also helped Martha with the art exhibition and saved the day by quickly jumping into action to organize a panel discussion that at the last moment seemed not to be happening. (photo © Martha Cooper)
SEPC. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
SEPC. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
SEPC. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Max Ehrman. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Max Ehrman. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Max Ehrman. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Max Ehrman. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Kosono Okina. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Kosono Okina. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Registered Artist. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Registered Artist. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jim Rizzi. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jim Rizzi. Wide Open Walls. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Wide Open Walls 2023. Rosa Parks Elementary and Middle School. Sacramento, California. (photo © Martha Cooper)

For more information on the event and the roster of artists, https://www.wideopenwalls.com/lineup/

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