Muralists add color and hope to CCWF

“When we do art, we do not believe in mess ups, we believe in new directions,” Erin Yoshi, a professional muralist said to participants at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) at the beginning of the mural project workshop.

The workshop was held for the first time at CCWF December 2024 on the main yard in front of the handball court wall. That wall was going to be the canvas for a new masterpiece created collaboratively with some of CCWF’s aspiring artists.

As the muralists were unloading all the equipment needed for the workshop, approximately 30 inside and outside participants gathered and greeted each other with long hugs. While the participants were anxiously waiting for the workshop to begin, the muralists were prepping the equipment (i.e., paint, brushes, trays, ladders, etc.) for the two locations (Main yard handball court and Building 510) they had in mind to create art.

The outside muralists agreed to bring their experience to CCWF and share their expertise with the inside muralists while spending a day sharing stories with expressive art.

“The women you see in front of you are my sisters, and I have been painting with them for over 15 years,” Yoshi said. “We share skills and teach one another to sharpen our skills. There is no school to teach you how to be a muralist, so every time you learn something, teach someone else.” Yoshi’s intention for the workshop is mural collaboration.

Nature makes people happy and you can tell the muralists love seeing people smile. “I battled Breast Cancer and I truly believe art healed me and helped my life tremendously,” Gloria Muriel aka Glow, another muralist said.

Franceska Gamez aka Frankie has been part of the muralist team for the past 10 years. Her passion for painting started when she was 5 years old. Art became her voice. It transformed her life.

Cece Carpio, another muralist, was born in the Philippines and came to San Francisco when she was 12. “Drawing was a way of communicating,” Carpio said. “It was not cool to be the kid with the accent, but it was cool to be the kid that knows how to draw. I am 5 feet tall and paint 100 foot tall walls.”

Amanda Lynn, the last of the fifth professional muralists, has been painting for 26 years. She was a troubled teen and art gave her hope. “Through art your voice can be really loud, even if you are quiet,” Lynn said.

Gale Fry, CCWF’s Merced college coordinator, came across these muralists while attending an e-learning training. Fry invited them to CCWF as soon as she heard they had been to San Quentin and other facilities.

Fry expressed her gratitude towards her colleagues and CCWF administration for supporting the vision of rehabilitation and their collaborative efforts of making the event happen.

“It can change someone’s day just by drawing something beautiful,” Lynn added.

The artist circle broke into two teams. One stayed outdoors by the handball court and the other went to create a mural in Rehabilitative Programming Unit, Building 510. As the team worked on the beautiful rainforest flower mural, you could hear the oohhs and aahhs from the 510 residents.

Officer R. Ibal, shared how much the mural boosted positivity in the unit and all the positive comments staff and incarcerated individuals have made.

“The mural brings so much traffic to the unit and more and more people are stopping by, which creates more work, for me,” Ibal said with a smile on her face. “This requires more coffee intake for me to stay alert and say thank you for every positive comment.”

“When Yoshi invited me to paint together in CCWF, it was an easy yes.” Carpio said. “I wanted to join and hear your stories from what is meant to be an isolated place. However, being able to bring some color and make it a more vibrant place is an amazing opportunity. Hanging out with you all has been inspiring. We have so much in common that we share.”

Melinda Rocha, an inspiring artist and resident of one of CCWF’s honor dorms spoke about how gratifying this experience was, the unity it created, and the exhilaration she felt being a part of brightening her community.

Officer C. Garcia, who observed the workshop, commented on the happiness and enjoyment everyone displayed while making art. “You guys look like you are at peace. Everyone just looks so…peaceful,” Garcia said.

Santeena Pugliese, a youth mentor and filmmaker that works with Quiet (Artist Collective), was invited to help document and be a part of the healing that comes through creative practice and art. “I have healed a lot through art,” Pugliese said.

She also has learned about acceptance. She talked about accepting our surroundings and not be imprisoned by them.

It is the first time Pugliese has visited a prison. “I was nervous, but what I see is women that are beautiful, kind, and generous.” Pugliese said. “We are not the choices we make.”

Gamez loves the design of the mural because it adds color to a piece of land that is predominantly beige, uplifts the feeling of happiness, and brings light to the space.

“Color adds so much to Mental Health.” Gamez said. “The special part is the women contributing to their CCWF community.”

The final mural products were both rainforest flower murals. They depicted giant, blooming, color- popping flowers that gave the invitation to walk into the forest.

Building 510 mural displayed a playful frog amongst the orange, red, and periwinkle flowers while a dragonfly was carefully landing on one of the leafs.

The murals cover the whole wall of the dayroom and the handball court is approximately 16 by 18 feet. The outdoor mural have held up amazingly despite the volatile theater and the indoor one is as vibrant as ever.

The workshop ended with eye hugs and gratitude for today’s experience reminding everyone of the Bell of mindfulness.

“We would love to come back and do more and bring more artists,” Yoshi said, “to have a Beautification Team. It is joyful to paint collaboratively. It is a gift to the community and is contagious. I hope today is an eye opening and a beginning.”