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.  

Throwing Shade kicks off with a call for artists to participate in a juried show, creating new 4’ x 8’ panel murals in Webster Park. Then we’ll invite the community to participate in an Art Mob! 10”x10” panels and paint will be available for the duration of art mob day; works created will then be framed in bee hotels and places around Webster Park for the extent of the show. Throwing Shade culminates in an Earth Day art reception that celebrates community, art, and ecology! New murals and art mob pieces will be on display, along with community businesses and local artists hosting activities and educational experiences.


Call for Art

Across major U.S. cities, lower-income neighborhoods consistently have fewer trees and less shade than affluent ones. Even after accounting for density and development, income remains strongly tied to access to urban greenery, highlighting a persistent environmental inequity. Throwing Shade invites artists to explore what shade means to them; environmentally, colloquially, or democratically. Does it evoke calm and peace, negativity and criticism, provocation and irony, or something else? Our curators will review submissions and invite chosen artists to create 4x8 ft artworks on plywood, either individually or collaboratively. 

Call for art submissions will be accepted from March 16 - April 3: application form can be found below. Applicants will be notified by April 10, and invited to pick up their panels on either April 11 or 12.


Art Mob

Planting our future invites the community to participate in an ART MOB! Bring out your inner artist! Young, old, and otherwise are invited to come make art at Webster Park. 10x10” panels will be provided, along with paints and brushes to make your mark. Art supplies from home are welcome; biodegradable materials preferred if available. Completed panels will be placed inside “bee hotel” frames and hung around the outside of Webster Park for our community and our pollinators to enjoy!

April 19 ,2026

Webster Park, Alameda

Art Event

Celebrate Earth Day with a unique art experience at Webster Park! View the new murals for the Throwing Shade juried art show, as well as the results of the community Art Mob, and activities curated by local community organizations. A whole day of art, joy, protest, and pollinators!

April 25, 2026

Webster Park, Alameda

Artist Entry Form

Dates

Entry Deadline: April 3

Jury Response: April 10

Pick up Mural Panel: April 11 & 12

Art Installation: April 22-23

Art Opening: April 25

How to enter:

  • Show us what you plan to produce on your 4’x8’ panel. You should include sketches with descriptions and examples of past work.

  • Digital jpgs only, no zip or compressed files

  • All work must be the original work of the artist

  • If accepted, work must be able to be completed and dry by April 22.