Starting this fall, San Quentin SkunkWorks is honored to collaborate with renowned artist eL Seed on large-scale murals at San Quentin’s new educational campus as part of our Chiaroscuro Art Initiative. Between the innovative architecture on the new educational buildings initiated by Governor Newsom and the upcoming eL Seed murals for the walls surrounding the campus, the built environment at California’s oldest prison will soon receive a massive infusion of hope, beauty, and inspiration — with your support!

This past July, we were incredibly honored to collaborate with renowned South African artist Faith XLVII and her son Keya Tama on a transformative art installation: our inaugural mural at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in West Block. We are incredibly grateful to all of the donors who helped make that dream a reality. A now, more and bigger dreams are poised for implementation.

A Call for Collective Action

We invite you to support Chiaroscuro — a bold art initiative to reimagine San Quentin as a living gallery of beauty, reflection, and reform. These murals will not only beautify the space but also serve as a testament to the power of art in rehabilitation.

Why San Quentin?

San Quentin stands at the forefront of California’s prison reform movement. Yet its physical environment remains a
stark reminder of outdated punitive systems — bleak, colorless, oppressive, and devoid of beauty. We believe that introducing color and creativity can symbolize transformation and aid in the rehabilitation process.

Our Funding Goals

Full Project Goal: $20,000 to cover artist support, scaffolding, documentation, and to lay the groundwork for continued artistic endeavors within the prison.

Your contribution will help turn this vision into reality and support a movement toward a more rehabilitative and humane correctional system.

Support San Quentin SkunkWorks as We Transform San Quentin