César E. Chávez Branch

An epic battle took place on the streets of Oakland this fall: The Youth Mural Arts Battle, a public art competition hosted by the Estria Foundation using muralism as a tool for creativity and social change. This year's theme: DREAM of JUSTICE.

For the first time during the annual Estria Battle, six youth organizations competed for the top prize alongside 16 adult artists from around the globe.

Beginning in November 2013, canvases from the Youth Battle will be on display at four Oakland Public Library branches citywide:

Main Library TeenZone  - Everyday Ritual (Los Angeles) - Winning Canvas!
Cesar Chavez Library - Visual Element (Oakland)
Eastmont Library - Ryse Youth Center (Richmond) & Get Active (Oakland)
81st Avenue Library - Cyphers (Oakland)

Oakland Library will also host monthly urban arts workshops for teens to accompany the exhibits. For information about the workshops, visit  www.oaklandlibrary.org/graffitiprograms

Now in its sixth year, the Estria Battle is the nation’s largest urban arts competition. This year’s contest brings the battle back home during Oakland’s annual Life is Living Festival hosted by Youth Speaks.

For general information call: (510) 238-7233

For locations and hours, click here.

Tweet this! @EstriaBattle @oaklibrary

The Youth Mural Arts Battle is sponsored by Montana Cans, Art Alternatives, Purity Organic, Escape CamperVans, Klean Kanteen, Oakland Public Library and the Estria Foundation. Contestants include: Visual Element (Oakland), Get Active (Oakland), Everyday Ritual (Los Angeles), CYPHERS (Phoenix), Precita Eyes (San Francisco), and RYSE Center (Richmond).