Faith Ringgold Inspired Artwork by Coleman Students
There’s some stunning new art in the first-floor lobby of the Downtown Library created by students from Coleman Elementary School. It is an honor to collaborate with a local school and their young artists. Coleman Elementary art teacher Caroline Sequeira explains the art piece and how it came to be:
Every student at Coleman Elementary, ranging in age from four to eleven, contributed to a collaborative mural inspired by Faith Ringgold’s celebrated quilt and children’s book, Tar Beach. As part of this project, students studied Ringgold’s work, learned about the concept of a “tar beach,” and discussed the powerful narrative behind this iconic image.
Faith Ringgold (1930–2024) was an influential American artist and activist, widely recognized for her intricate story quilts that explore African American history and the experiences of marginalized communities. Through her work, Ringgold challenged racial and gender stereotypes while elevating stories that have often been excluded from traditional museum and gallery spaces. Tar Beach tells the story of a young Black girl who dreams of flying above her Harlem neighborhood, symbolizing imagination, freedom, and the inherent right to envision a better future.
Inspired by Ringgold’s perspective and signature floral borders, Coleman students created their own rooftop view of San Rafael, surrounding it with a vibrant flower border that pays tribute to her original design. Students across grade levels contributed in unique ways to bring the mural to life. Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, second, and third grade students imagined and illustrated what they would want in their own homes. First and fourth grade students designed and created the floral border surrounding the scene. Fifth grade students added additional elements to the composition—including cars, trees, bushes, stars, houses, and imaginative details such as a fiery baseball and a walking duck—enhancing the mural with dreamlike touches.
Artwork will be available to view at the San Rafael Downtown Library throughout March ’til April 15th, 2026.
More examples of our students’ artwork can be viewed on Instagram at @ms.sequeirasartclass, and any donations to the art room or inquiries can be directed to csequeira@srcs.org.
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