The Last Free Speech: Street Art at Manual Arts High School

One version of the story of South Los Angeles' Manual Arts High is that it's a failing school, a dropout factory. But, thanks to the 101-year-old school's innovative art department, another tale is swiftly emerging—a narrative that h

The school's 3,400 students can't take art until their sophomore year. Because most have never had an art class before, Ayala says it’s a mistake to start them off with an analysis of traditional fine art. “They’re not going

The culture of graffiti tagging crews mirrors gang culture. But when world renowned artists come to the campus and work on murals and projects with each other, they provide a different example. "The kids get to see the unity and collaboration bet

The process of creating the art at the school has erased the hierarchy between professional artists and students. When artists come to Manual Arts, they're eager to sign sketchbooks and share some of their techniques with the kids. The students al

Social studies teacher Patricia Hanson appreciates the way the murals' social messages have contributed to a more positive culture at the school. "Before there used to be tagging everywhere on the walls," she says, "but now there&rs

Ayala, a working artist himself, is reluctant to share the names of all the artists who have done work at Manual Arts. He's been subpoenaed by law enforcement officials looking to identify (and prosecute) street artists. "What the artists do

This stairwell is the heart of what Ayala calls the "political" spectrum of the school's collection. A suited pig with dripping bags of money might seem controversial, but, Ayala notes, modern students see over 300 advertisements a day&m

This tree by the artist Rabi is the heart of the what Ayala calls the "spiritual" hallway. The iPod-style silhouettes at its base are by Ayala's partner teacher, John Latsko, who has taught at Manual Arts for 14 years. His  multi-co

The museum quality art at Manual Arts is attracting attention from outsiders. Ayala and the rest of the art teachers are frequently asked to serve as docents for visitors eager to see the work of some of the more famous street artists and the students

The art has caused some controversy with other teachers. "Anything done with aerosol is bastardized as not creative. Teachers often only want to see art that represents the school, like the school mascot painted on a wall. Students don’t al

Pedro Chinchilla, 16, is a junior at Manual Arts. He’s worked on three small murals on campus but his true love is stencils. “I was home chilling but I hate video games and watching TV,” he says. “I need something to do, so I d

Chinchilla says that since he started taking art, he's more motivated to get his grades up to A’s and B’s in his other classes. Even though Jackson Pollock and Philip Guston are both alumni of Manual Arts, some of his teachers, as well

The vibrancy of the school's art is also popping up in the surrounding community. Street artists that used to only work in gentrified areas are increasingly creating murals throughout South-Central. "Just as if you put art in the school, it c

Art comes in all forms at the school but the teachers do set limits on depictions of violence and art with weapons. The goal is to create a positive, safe space that both questions the world and celebrates its beauty. Ayala also likes to see a variety

Promoting gender equality by getting teen girls involved in the male-dominated street art scene, and exposing the school's boys to talented female artists, is a top priority for Ayala and his colleagues. "It's important for them to see po

These sharks by the aptly named Shark Toof are wildly popular with students. Ayala says artists like Shark Toof—who has a book and sells his prints—also provide an entrepreneurial example for the k

The art teachers spend a considerable amount of time maintaining the artwork. Everyday during his conference period, Ayala paints out graffiti and picks up trash. "If you’re not willing to maintain the art, it will quickly disappear, he say

Through watching the artists work, and creating their own art, the students get to experience a process over product framework, something that’s not always emphasized in our educational system. Ayala acknowledges that not having to worry about s

Ayala grew up in the Los Angeles area but didn’t start teaching until he returned from living in Brooklyn. He first taught at an art academy in Pasadena. "The kids were wonderful there," he says, "but the greater need is here in t