Throwing Shade

Alameda’s newest collaborative art event: “Throwing Shade.”

Across major U.S. cities, lower-income neighborhoods consistently have fewer trees and less shade than affluent neighborhoods. Studies using aerial imagery show that in 92% of urban areas, these communities have about 15% less tree cover and are roughly 35°F hotter in summer—a gap that can be even larger in some regions. Even after accounting for density and development, income remains strongly tied to access to urban greenery, highlighting a persistent environmental inequity.

100K Trees for Humanity, along with The Creativity Center of Alameda, West Alameda Business Association, and other community groups are joining forces to invite artists to participate in a three part art event “Throwing Shade” at Alameda’s Webster Park (1435 Webster St). 

A three part series, Throwing Shade kicked off with a call for artists to contribute to a new mural show for Webster Park. We then invited the community to participate in an Art Mob where they painted 10×10 panels. The panels are on display in Webster Park, framed in bee hotels. Throwing Shade celebrated Earth Day with an art and ecology event. Watch this space for an artist reception, coming summer 2026!