This is a trying time for our community, but it is also a time of hope. In the wake of the tragic death of Oscar Grant on  we are more aware than ever of the need for us to come together in support of our youth, and all members of the community.

Southern California resident, and 3-time Call for Art winner, Annika Nelson created this beautiful piece several years ago, but it could not be more timely. We are proud and pleased to be able to post this image as a 30-sheet billboard (the big ones you see in the community). Thanks to a contract with Clear Channel we were able to produce 20 of these billboards to be posted throughout Oakland, and into the southern East Bay, including Hayward.

Annika’s statement about this piece:

I'm hoping my image inspires people to reach out to kids and young adults who feel isolated and don't always take our gestures of love or kindness the way we'd like them to. I pieced together a collage from odd papers and catalogs lying around the house and then modified the image in the computer to add text and add a few features. Throughout the process of creating the image, I thought about how easy it is to get engrossed in your own troubles or sorrows and how important it is to make those gestures of love and affection even when you think you don't have any to spare.

Update !!

The billboard has been posted in 20 different locations (BillboardLocations.doc) around Oakland, San Leandro and Hayward. We are grateful to Clear Channel for the agreement that allowed us to inundate the community with this powerful image. You can see the images of the piece in the community by going to our Media Page. The responses, from emails to phone calls, have been overwhelmingly positive. We hope that this serves as a reminder to us all to give a little more hope, respect, kindness and love . . . we DO all need some!