When visitors step into the Chamberlin Education Foundation office, they are now greeted by a mural that brings together student voices, vibrant colors, and community.
The artwork was commissioned to embody CEF’s mission and reflect the people it serves in the office’s physical space.
Michael Burks, the Chamberlin Education Foundation’s Director of School Partnerships, explained why the mural matters for the space.
“School partners and community members are always welcome here,” he said. “We regularly host communities of practice, collaborative meetings, and retreats. It is important that the space reflects the students, schools, and communities at the center of our work.”
“The mural helps bring that vision to life,” he continued. “It grounds the space in creativity, belonging, and community, and reminds us, daily, who we serve and why this work matters.”
The mural was created by Inbal Rubin, a longtime local artist and the Visual and Performing Arts Lead Educator at Aspire California College Prep Academy in Richmond.
Rubin describes herself as versatile in the art she creates, ranging from clay figures and figure drawings to jewelry and large-scale works. But murals offer something unique.
She said that when you draw something closer to your own size, you can see the whole piece and its details at the same time. With a mural, you have to step back from the details and assess whether it makes sense.
“You really have to take into consideration multiple perspectives at the same time,” Rubin said.
Students were threaded throughout the process, from the early design phase to the final painted piece. Rubin took photos of her sixth through twelfth-grade students and used their profiles in the mural. She then colored them with abstract shapes based loosely on the existing office artwork and CEF’s colors.
Rubin also made sure students were involved in the design process. She turned the initial concept into a competition, inviting students to submit their own ideas. Rubin then combined elements from several student entries and added her own adjustments.
Some of the students were thrilled when they saw that they were incorporated into the finished piece. “They were like, ‘I’m famous,’” Rubin said, laughing.
Rubin said she deeply believes in involving students in real-world projects. She has hired current and former students for multiple murals throughout her career. She says that allows them to apply what they have learned to real life.
The mural was debuted for the community at the Julie Wright Chagemaker Award celebration in March. Rubin is happy with how it turned out and loves knowing that people get to enjoy it.
She also made a point to thank two people who helped her, Oscar Tuda and Thi Phromratanapongse, who assisted with prep work and the final painting.
For Rubin, the finished piece is more than decoration. It is a reflection of the students and the community the foundation exists to serve.
