Burton Tech HIGH SCHOOl and Eye Discover Unveil Student-Led Mural
On Saturday, August 29, Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology High School celebrated the unveiling of Isla de South LA, a student-led mural exploring unity, solidarity, and liberation. The project was spearheaded by Eye Discover, whose Artivism Education Program empowers students to explore their cultural identities and uses art as a tool for activism, healing, and civic engagement.
Made possible through a California Arts Council grant awarded to Eye Discover with support from Stop the Hate and LA vs Hate, the mural centered the voices, experiences, and creativity of Burton Tech students and families. Funding from the California Lottery also provided supplies for the mural.
Click the image above to see more photos from the unveiling.
Isla de South LA weaves together student-created imagery reflecting the identities, resilience, and lived experiences of the Burton Tech community and highlights their shared hopes for a more connected, equitable future. The mural depicts a visual journey through time and place, from Mesoamerican pyramids to the diverse cultures of South LA and the street vendors of Olive Street, where the school is located. One of the central figures is the whale “Isla,” an animal students envisioned as a powerful symbol for community leadership and matriarchy.
The project grew from Burton Tech's Community Schools model, which emphasizes authentic partnerships, student voice, and shared leadership. The creative process began in February, with students participating in weekly workshops and cultural experiences exploring identity, belonging, and collective action while creating murals, zines, and liberation posters.
Check out the video below for a recap of the unveiling:
“Art can be a pathway to healing, leadership, and social change," said Kenosha Hawkins, CEO of Eye Discover. "These students didn't just create a mural—they shared their stories, cultures, and vision for the future—and this project is a powerful reminder of what is possible when schools, artists, and community partners invest in young people's voices. We're honored to have helped create a space where those voices will continue to inspire their community for years to come."
"The foundation for a more inclusive Los Angeles County is built by investing in young people and creating spaces where their history, cultures and experiences can be told, and LA vs Hate is proud to support this community mural," said Fidel Rodriguez, Senior Human Relations Consultant at the LA County Commission on Human Relations. “Isla de South LA” reveals significant truths by high school student leaders that highlight diverse ancient cultural practices, powerful matriarchs, and the significance of nature and the animal world, and its role in our collective healing. The mural gives us dignity and hope and tells us that these youth leaders understand the significance of how unity is the key. As we strive to strengthen our neighborhoods in South LA and across LA County, the central message on the mural for humanity encapsulates it all: El Futuro Es Nuestro. The Future Is Ours.
“These brilliant students who created ‘Isla de South LA’ have shown us what is possible when we invest in their creativity, leadership, and vision. The mural’s powerful messages of hope, belonging, and community reflect the values at the heart of LA County’s LA vs Hate initiative,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “We are proud to support this meaningful work and these young artists as they honor the history and culture of South LA while helping to shape a more inclusive LA County.”
"Our young people have something to say about who they are, where they come from, and the future they want,” said LA City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson. “What makes this mural so powerful is that it was student-led. They shaped the vision, brought their own histories and experiences to the creative process, and created a work that reflects the culture of South Los Angeles through their eyes."
Alliance Burton Tech also recognized arts educators and lead artists Jayshawnd McWilliams and Francisco Huesca, whose mentorship and creative leadership guided students from concept to completion, ensuring every brushstroke reflected the authentic voices and aspirations of Burton Tech scholars.
Now displayed at Burton Tech, Isla de South LA stands as a visible expression of student voice and community collaboration. The mural reflects a shared vision for a more connected, equitable, and inclusive South Los Angeles while demonstrating how public art can foster belonging, healing, and youth leadership.
To view more photos of the unveiling, click here.
