"Nothing about the gleaming new school spoke to the history that transpired where it now stands."
Jocelyn Stewart
Journalist
Our prior identification, the historic mural painted in 1978 by artist, Charles "Boko" Freeman, greeted drivers and passers-by for over 30 years. "Boko" has created a new mural, "Sheenway Sankofa", chronicling the history of Sheenway's stewardship and legacy to the Watts/South Los Angeles communities. This new mural adorns the north walls of Heritage College-Ready Academy High School, an Alliance Charter School that is now a partner to our campus at the Sheen Educational Center, 10101 South Broadway Street, L.A., California, 90003. This new state-of-the-art charter school opened Fall 2010 on our campus, a gleaming new learning institution speaking to the history that transpired where it now stands.
The school buildings on Broadway near 101st did not speak about the noble neighborhood doctor, whose earnings and visions led to the creation of a premier K-12 school in this rough-and-tumble community; or of the famous comedian who donated thousands of dollars to help purchase the land for the school; or of the daughter who carried her father's vision forward, educating generations of youth here, and now in Ghana.
The walls of the school known as Heritage College-Ready Academy High School have been silent about this part of its past---until now.
On June 11th Sheen Educational Foundation unveiled a new mural that adorns the walls of Heritage College-Ready Academy High School. The mural, "Sheenway Sankofa" painted by Charles "Boko Freeman," tells the story of Sheenway School, which operated for 38 years on this location beginning in 1971.
The unveiling also marked the start of a fundraising campaign to build the Sheenway Youth Enrichment Center, a new 1,850 sq. foot facility that will house a free after-school and weekend program for youth ages 5-18, as well as academic tutoring. The classes will include performing arts such as drama, music and dance; visual arts including painting and drawing, sculpture and ceramics; gymnastics, boxing, and martial arts courses; field trips to cultural venues to attend concerts and theater; a student-run bakery; and a competitive cricket club. Exposure to the arts is an important aspect of a child's development, but, increasingly, public schools place far less value on these classes. Sheen Educational Foundation aims to fill the gap. The new center is the next chapter of the Sheenway story. The mural is a visual reminder that the impossible is possible.
Sheenway ArtFest Fundraiser
ArtFest II
Coming in February, 2012
Details TBA
Click the image on the left for an invitation to you and your friends.
