Schools | danza-davis

Danza's work in schools uses art to connect students with their local environment. Each project is introduced with lessons on local ecology by inviting students to explore ecosystems through visual presentations and hands-on experiences. They are ask to consider the plants and animals with whom they live how they are a part of a larger system. It’s these concepts that inform the visual content.

COASTAL WATERSHEDS: Sherwood School

Mendocino County's coastal rivers flow through diverse habitats from inland grasslands, through evergreen and oak woodlands, to rich coastal wetlands and ultimately into the Pacific Ocean. These rivers support critically endangered salmon species, including one of California’s strongest remaining wild populations of coho salmon. Students participated in each step of the mural process while learning about local ecology through associated classroom activities and fieldtrips.

OAK WOODLANDS: Potter Valley Elementary

This mural will celebrate the biodiversity of the oak woodland and features the life cycle
of the California Sister, one of many butterflies whose caterpillars feed on oak leaves.
Caterpillars are in turn an incredibly important food source for baby birds. An American
robin approaches the branch flies away with
a caterpillar in its beak to feed it's young. Students learned about the oak woodlands, and participated in each step of the mural process.

INLAND & COASTAL ZONES: Mendocino County Juvenile Hall

Danza worked with youth at the Juvenile Hall over 3 years to bring the beauty of nature into an outdoor community space. Companion murals in two local libraries connect the project to the broader community, acting as a bridge to the positive change made inside the hall. Made possible with support from the Arts Council of Mendocino County and the California Arts Council.

BEYOND COVID: Ukiah High School

Created in collaboration with students at Ukiah High School, this mural represents hope for a time when students can move on from the isolation of COVID while acknowledging those lost and the role of science in recovery. Made possible with support from the Arts Council of Mendocino County.

DANZA DAVIS