FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Vibrant New Community Mural Offers Inspiration Amid Uncertainty in Education and the Arts
“Dreamers of Dreams” celebrates public school arts educators who have inspired San Francisco youth in the classroom and beyond
San Francisco, March 31, 2025 — Even as public education and the arts face mounting challenges, a new mural honoring San Francisco public school arts educators is nearing completion. Sited along Woodside Drive near Laguna Honda Hospital, “Dreamers of Dreams” will be recognized in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 10, paying tribute to the tireless champions of arts education who have shaped the lives of young people across the city and over the years.
The afternoon ceremony, free and open to the public, will feature remarks by the mural artist, appearances by city dignitaries, introductions of the mural honorees, and live entertainment by students.
Created by California Arts Council Artist Fellow Nico Berry and painted with the help of community volunteers, the mural features six large-scale portraits and honors nearly 70 arts educators selected by community nominations. The mural takes its name from the 1873 poem “Ode,” which celebrates artists as visionaries and changemakers who shape culture and inspire the world, even in the face of adversity. The project was organized by the nonprofit foundation FOSOTA/Friends of Ruth Asawa School of the Arts and made possible through a San Francisco Arts Commission grant whose funds were directed by voters in San Francisco’s District 7.
“This mural is not just a tribute to our public school arts educators,” said Berry. “It’s a reminder — especially in this moment — that we must push back against the marginalization of the arts in our schools and continue to shine a light on their value in our society.”
“I am honored to be part of this mural that lifts up arts education and affirms the role of arts educators in shaping our communities,” said Andi Wong, one of the mural honorees. “It is a special time to consider the true value of arts education in San Francisco, especially with the concurrent retrospectives recognizing two great artists and teachers — Wayne Thiebaud at the Legion of Honor and Ruth Asawa at SFMOMA.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place Thursday, April 10, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in front of the mural at 67 Woodside Avenue in San Francisco. Free tickets — encouraged but not required — are available via Eventbrite.
Artist Nico Berry (center) with Wes Marks (left) and Rhonda Greenblat (right) in front of the mural in progress.
Contact:
Suz Dehne, FOSOTA
phone: (415) 508-7682
email: dreamersofdreamsmural@gmail.com
Resources:
Dreamers of Dreams Mural website
About Nico Berry
Nico Berry is a San Francisco-based muralist with over twenty years of experience designing and creating large-scale community and commercial murals. A 2023-2024 California Arts Council Artist Fellow, Berry is known for a collaborative approach to public art that centers people and place through large-scale works that explore community, cultural identity, social justice, and the intersection of urban, natural, and human environments.
About FOSOTA / Friends of Ruth Asawa School of the Arts
FOSOTA is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to championing arts education and arts-based learning at San Francisco’s groundbreaking public arts high school and beyond. Its community of donors, volunteers, educators, students, alumni, artists, activists, and allies believes in the transformative power of art in the schools.
Artist Nico Berry’s schematic design of “Dreamers of Dreams.” The mural features portraits of arts educators (left to right) Elvia Marta, Andi Wong, Monina Sen Cervone, Dr. John Calloway, Annette Ribeiro, and Tara Siegel.
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