“Eye don’t know what the future of Art History will be.  But one thing eye do know:  I’m going to keep painting till eye find myself in IT!”  - Milton Bowens

The exhibit is "The Milton 510" and "The Five Ten Experience" and it is a vivid explosion of color and bold statement true to the style of internationally-acclaimed Oakland artist Milton Bowens. This much-talked-about exhibit of his new work is being presented simultaneously at five different venues and is indeed what he calls, “A multi-layered experience."

The exhibits in the series make up one fine art collection: "Oakland A Love Supreme"; “Echoes of the Sweetest Sound”; “The Memoirs of Mr. Radio”; “Soul in Acrylic Stereo”; and “Oh Happy Sundays.” More than 50 pieces form a unique testimony to the African American experience and speak eloquently of urban culture, inner-city community, family and faith.  The work is as stunning as a well-mastered American novel.

Little did Mandela High School graphic design teacher Anita Smiley know that an e-mail that she sent to the artist would have such a tremendous impact on her students. She wrote Bowens just to tell him she was using his work as examples and areas of study for her class. The next thing she knew, she said, “I received an e-mail back that said he wanted to visit my class.  During his visit he talked about using their work in his upcoming exhibit at the African-American Museum. I was thrilled!”

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The series, “Oakland A Love Supreme,” incorporates the students’ poster-size graphics and canvasses depicting their perceptions and interpretations of Oakland: the good, the bad and the ugly. This group of young people has been given the rare chance to express their honest views.

Senior Belen Nunez explained: “This project allowed me to express my feelings of a city that is 'Judged by Most, Loved by Many,' the title of my piece.  I want people to know that Oakland is not a bad place.”

Her classmate, Anjanette Bashful, found the experience empowering, “I like being able to show my interpretation of Oakland as opposed to letting someone else with a narrow-minded view of the city do it.

In preparation for each art piece, the students were asked to pick a topic that would teach something to the viewer. Each makes its own profound statement and is powerfully moving. Filled with passion for her work with the students, teacher Anita Smiley came to tears when speaking about how her students really “get it."

“Art is not just throwing pictures on a canvas," she said. "It must make a statement and it must make the viewer feel something.”

All too often, media images of Oakland and its schools focus on the dwindling budget, low test scores, shootings and mayhem. The Fremont Federation Of Schools, home to Mandela High School, is a locked down campus with its share of police and military-style security officers. It is not immune to the troubles facing most city schools.

Its teachers and Principal Robin Glover strive, however, to keep their 300-plus students focused, while exposing them to different, creative ideas. As a college prep school, the academic team works with students to develop tools for success in higher education, while instilling in them some of what it takes to maneuver through a world full of negative influences.

The theme of social responsibility is apparent in the hallways and areas of study and the multi-cultural population truly speaks to what is right with the Oakland school system.

Nhung Le, who created a poster called "Bias" for the exhibit, calls on the media to “stop making generalizations about the people that live here. We are a strong community and there are so many positives.”

If the amazing artwork being produced in the classroom is any indication, Mandela High School is one of Oakland’s truly bright spots.

The work of Milton Bowens and these gifted students will be on display at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland, until through May. Contact the Oakland Public Library for days and times.  To learn more about Milton Bowens' art, visit www.milton510.com.