Miles apart, they painted the same mural - one inside San Quentin, one in San Francisco

"We really wanted to do something that benefited everyone in our community in here. The introduction of color and other things can improve the sensory environment. Even though incarcerated people typically aren't allowed to take items back to their cell, he took it with him so he could look at the cherries every morning. He said it reminded him there's still color in the world."

"SkunkWorks has organized events like a chess match with correctional officers and a community game day but their signature initiative is bringing bright, colorful murals to the prison walls. eL Seed spent just over a week painting Arabic calligraphy on the east wall of the new learning center on prison grounds. The project was supported by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the mayor's office in San Francisco."

Kai Bannon, serving a 70-year-to-life sentence at San Quentin State Rehabilitation Center, founded SkunkWorks after being inspired by a cardboard box with red cherries during his three years in county jail. The organization encourages incarcerated people to take leadership roles and transform San Quentin from within. SkunkWorks organizes community events including chess matches with correctional officers and game days, with their primary focus being the creation of bright, colorful murals on prison walls. The group believes introducing color and visual elements improves the sensory environment for all community members. Their latest mural collaboration with renowned French-Tunisian artist eL Seed featured Arabic calligraphy on the learning center's east wall and received support from Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and San Francisco's mayor's office.

Read at Mission Local