WHAT: Nearly 100 Abbott Elementary School students and staff members will showcase a mural project to celebrate the launch of the school’s Turnaround Arts: California program. The group project will transform the campus using giant photographs as participants “activate” exterior walls using a photobooth truck, black-and-white portraits and wheatpaste.

Students will have their portraits live-printed from a photobooth truck before positioning the pictures on the walls. The temporary installation will remain on campus to celebrate the program.
Abbott is one of 27 schools in California to be accepted into the Turnaround Arts national program, which will provide teacher training, a regional coach to facilitate Abbott’s strategic arts plan and coordinated support for public arts events.

WHEN: to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18

WHERE: Abbott Elementary School
5260 Clark Street

MORE: Turnaround Arts is a national program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, created in 2011 under the
leadership of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Schools partnering with the program have seen increases in English language arts and math proficiency, better student engagement for arts-integrated instruction, improved attendance, declining suspension rates and increased family participation in art events.

MEDIA: Contact Jahmal Corner for more information at (206) 579-4432