Three OUSD Schools Unveil Groundbreaking Murals, Championing Disability Inclusion Through Art

What began as a partnership between OUSD's Special Education department and Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program has evolved into something far greater: a districtwide model for how schools can authentically celebrate every learner. The "Canvas of Inclusion" initiative brought together more than 2,000 participants to create beautiful murals that now serve as enduring tributes to the power of inclusive education. Through the creative vision of renowned muralist Kyle Holbrook and the coordination of OUSD's Disability Access Coordinator Aruna Subramanian, three schools now feature these spectacular pieces of art that speak to the heart of educational equity.

"When you give young people the tools to create together, barriers disappear," explained Jennifer Blake, Executive Director of Special Education and Health Services. "These murals prove that universal design doesn't just improve access–it strengthens entire communities. We're seeing ripple effects across athletics, partnerships, and daily classroom interactions that will shape our district for years to come."

Each participating campus is now home to a unique mural that captures the school’s character while highlighting the District's inclusive mission:

• Lockwood STEAM Academy features a 3,000-square-foot painting along International Boulevard that weaves together themes of community strength and local pride, including an homage to late Oakland Athletics legend, and OUSD graduate, Rickey Henderson.
• Montera Middle School transformed a central campus wall into a 300-square-foot canvas celebrating the spirit of its diverse student population.
• Fremont High School hosts the initiative's most architecturally complex installation. This four-story mural boasts 80 feet of creative expression.

The true innovation of this initiative may lie not more in the process that created the murals. OUSD students drove the creative vision of the project to ensure their lived experiences and aspirations were authentically represented. "Oakland's youth, particularly those in special education programs, weren't just participants, they were co-creators," said Holbrook, who leads the national Moving Lives of Kids initiative. "Their courage and creativity reminded everyone involved that true education means ensuring every voice shapes our shared future. These walls now tell their stories."

In concert with these murals, each campus has launched comprehensive evaluations of its accessibility practices, examining everything from physical spaces to instructional approaches. Early findings informed district strategies for the 2025-26 school year and beyond. "Watching our entire campus community engage with the emerging artwork, through painting sessions, classroom discussions, and spontaneous conversations, showed us what inclusive education should feel like," said Thomas Demerath, who teaches special education at Montera. "Every school deserves this kind of collective experience."

Mayzie Zechini, Lockwood’s art teacher, calls the collaboration "a masterclass in authentic engagement. Our students explored disability rights history, studying pioneers like Ed Roberts and Judy Heumann, before picking up paintbrushes. Watching Kyle teach alongside me redefined what inclusive arts education can achieve."

Montera’s art teacher, Rebecca Recco, said she saw powerful moments of student agency. "The project intentionally centered students who face the greatest challenges, entrusting them with crucial mural sections. The finished artwork genuinely reflects our community because every member helped shape it."

Fremont’s art teacher, John Christie, connects the project to broader campus culture. "This initiative amplified existing student-led art movements like our Faces of Fremont portrait tradition. Seeing learners embrace both individual and collective creative expression confirms that Fremont prioritizes the artistic voice of every student."

With the new school year now in full swing, these murals are sparking essential conversations about access, representation, and educational equity throughout Oakland. The initiative has catalyzed new collaborations between departments and inspired similar projects at additional schools.

"Witnessing communities unite around inclusive artistic expression has been profoundly moving," says Aruna Subramanian, who coordinated the districtwide effort. "These murals remind us daily that when we design for everyone, we create stronger learning environments. The partnerships formed between special education and other departments are just beginning."