All throughout history, people have fought for social justice by speaking out in protests, demonstrations, and marches. The powerful messages written on protest signs are front and center in a new community art project at the Service Learning Institute at California State University Monterey Bay. Artists Paul Richmond Briden Schueren celebrated a diverse group of twenty five activists from the Monterey Peninsula by painting them wielding signs from protests and demonstrations in a community art installation. The messages were culled from online submissions via the hashtag #Rise2Change.

On Friday, 2/8/19, the finished Rise2Change mural was unveiled in a community celebration that also featured a display of activist works of art from individuals, students at Palenke Arts, Boys and Girls Club, and protest signs from the Women’s March. The reception included a photobooth, sign-making activity, food/drinks, meet the artists, and a special performance by Palenke Arts.