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Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools

701 S. Catalina St. Los Angeles, CA 90005

On April 21, 2016 | Los Angeles, CA ­ Branded Arts in collaboration with LAUSD & Thinkspace Gallery commissioned 28 artist to paint a series of murals throughout the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools during a one­week span from May 23-­27, 2016.

RFK Community Schools is comprised of six autonomous Pilot schools offering a Kinder through 12th­grade campus on the site of the former Ambassador Hotel, the site of the 1968 assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The school was built to relieve underperforming and overcrowded schools located in Pico Union and Koreatown, and now serves over 4000 students from schools that include the Ambassador School of Global Education, Ambassador School of Global Leadership, NOW Academy, UCLACS, School for the Visual Arts and Humanities, and Los Angeles High School of the Arts.

In a desire to promote arts in school, these projects also aim to send an inspirational and positive message to kids ranging from kindergarten to the 12th grade. Not only will murals be painted throughout the week, but the Paul Schrade Library will be transformed into a gallery exhibition space featuring work from over 30 artists, as well as artwork from the students. This project was born out of a collaboration with LAUSD Local District Central staff under the guidance of Superintendent Roberto Antonio Martinez.

Built on the site of the former Ambassador Hotel, RFK Community Schools honors its historical significance as the site of not only six autonomous pilot schools, but also as the site of the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. To honor the US Senator and his legacy, the school adopted his namesake and commissioned two Judith Baca murals in addition to preserving the original architecture of the Cocoanut Grove Theater. The school was built as a modern interpretation of the original Ambassador Hotel, maintaining elements of the original structure and celebrating its star­studded yet somber history. Local history, art, and education have come together to create a space of diversity, creativity, innovation, and social justice ­ all social elements that RFK Community Schools seeks to foster.

Students will be involved with mural production through workshops and seminars hosted by participating artists, and exhibit their artwork alongside the likes of Tim Biskup, D*Face and Erik Jones in the Paul Schrade Library Gallery. There will be lectures, panel discussions, film screenings, and guided tours of the newly created on­site murals including a 40­foot high portrait of Robert F. Kennedy by Shepard Fairey.

Murals by:

Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf, Jeff Soto, Sam Flores, Hueman, David Flores, Greg Mike, Curiot, Mad Steez, Cyrcle, Andrew Hem, Risk, Yoskay Yamamoto, James Bullough, Beau Stanton, Hebru Brantley, Hush, Charlie Edmiston, Colette Miller, Rob Hill, Dallas Clayton, Clinton Bopp, James Haunt, Jonas Never, UR New York, Josh Everhorn, Baker’s Son, Jose Maradiaga­-Andrade, Paige Smith

Photos By : the1point8  kungfubreakfast  kelseyfugere & jonfurlong