Painting a Healthier Future: How Children Reimagine Bayview Hunters Point Through Murals

When a group of third, fourth, and fifth graders were asked what a healthy neighborhood looks like, one child’s answer was simple yet profound:

“When the air, water, and soil are happy and healthy, so too will be the people.”

That wisdom is the heartbeat of Think Round’s Children’s Mural Program (CMP) - a project that, for over 30 years, has helped children of Bayview Hunters Point use art to understand the complex environmental issues shaping their future.

Art as a Bridge to Understanding

Bayview Hunters Point has lived with decades of industrial impact from the nearby shipyard. Its ongoing environmental cleanup is one of the largest in the nation, and its outcomes will shape the lives of generations to come.

For local children, these issues can feel abstract and overwhelming. CMP was designed to change that. By combining environmental science lessons with hands-on art, CMP gives young people an accessible way to learn about their air, water, soil, and future livelihoods.

From Classrooms to Community Walls

Over the years, more than 4,000 students have participated in CMP. With guidance from professional artists, they painted murals on plywood and ceramic tiles that now brighten public spaces across San Francisco -from the Bayview Opera House to Quesada Gardens.

Each brushstroke tells a story of resilience, hope, and belonging.

A Celebration of Youth Voices

Every year, CMP culminates in a Final Celebration - a joyful gathering where students share their essays, unveil new murals, and stand proudly beside their families, teachers, and community leaders.

One of the program’s most memorable supporters, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, inspired children with these words:

“I will personally hand your anthology of essays to the President of the United States so he will know of your love for the arts and the environment.”

Beyond Murals: Building Futures

CMP’s impact extends beyond the classroom walls. Students have traveled as far as Senegal and Paris to exhibit their work, proving that children’s voices can influence global conversations about the environment.

Even more importantly, CMP instills a sense of ownership and hope - empowering young people to imagine a future where their neighborhoods are not only safe and healthy but also filled with art and community pride.

Looking Ahead

For Think Round, Inc., the CMP is more than an art program - it’s a model for how children can lead us toward ecological literacy, cultural pride, and community healing.

As one mural student reminded us, when nature is in balance, so are we. And sometimes, all it takes to see that truth is a child with a paintbrush.
Want to see more? Explore our Children’s Mural Program or follow along on Instagram to watch how today’s children are painting tomorrow’s future.