At this remarkable moment in our college's story, the completion of Double Ground signifies more than just physical consolidation; it symbolizes our shared commitment to our creative community. This marks the first time in 39 years that CCA will be united in one location and on one campus. This unity reflects our institution's history of resilience, starting from its founding after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. As we stand at this watershed moment, we are called to build upon the fortitude and resilience shown by our community throughout the years.

Making Community is sponsored by the Transition, Trust and Transformation (TTT) Community and Culture Working Group, in partnership with Libraries, Academic Affairs, and Campus Life, with support from the former Oakland Campus Legacy Committee (OCLC) leadership. Aligned with the Marketing & Communications "CCA Expanding for..." strategic plan, this project seizes this historic occasion to amplify the voices of our creative community. Throughout the academic year, it provides a hands-on collective mark-making experience that encourages us to pause, engage, and share our connections to CCA. We aim to recognize our collective progress and officially mark our unified presence in San Francisco.

"We've been couch surfing for the last two years, and now we finally have a home." - Nathan Lynch, Chair of Ceramics

Our community-building journey starts by highlighting individual stories in the fall, leading to a collective celebration of creativity in the spring. "Making Community" calls us to honor our past, embrace the present, and shape a future founded on our unity. This initiative is part of a range of curricular efforts across the college to commemorate the upcoming year, and we are excited to reknit the social fabric of our creative community.

Open Call for Submission!

Craft, Snack, & Gather Event

• Wednesday, November 13 from 3-5pm @ Nave Entrance (Production Stage)

Join us for an afternoon of creativity, community, and connection! On Wednesday, November 13, from 3–5 pm near the PLAySPACE Gallery and Nave (Main Building), we invite all CCA community members to gather, craft, and share stories. Enjoy light refreshments as we come together to make memories and celebrate the Making Community project.

Activities will include a hands-on collage-making session and a sneak preview of the exhibition, showcasing submitted objects. Don’t miss this chance to create, connect, and be part of this special moment.

Collage Making with Luz Marina Ruiz

• Thursday, October 3 from 3-6pm @ RayKo
• Thursday, October 9 from 11-1pm @ Hooper Atrium
• Wednesday, October 23 from 11-1pm @ Nave (Production Stage)

Collective Making

• February
  • Luz Marina Ruiz, Printmedia faculty will facilitate the creation of a commemorative piece using the provided objects.

• March
  • The commemorative piece and community members' stories will be exhibited at PLAySPACE Gallery with a reception. The exhibition space will host site activations; some ideas being explored are a selfie station, a CCA altar, and a mark-making area for the community.

We are looking for 117 stories (or more!) from our CCA community members in commemoration of this historic moment.

Story

• Share a story of why your object is important to you and your relationship to CCA (limit 100 words)

Photos

• Please submit two (2) photos:
  • one photo of yourself (preferably a half body headshot - from your waist to the top of your head)
  • one photo of your object
• . Images should meet the following requirements:
  • Preferred file formats are JPEG, PNG, or TIFF.
  • Max size: 25 MB

Object

• Submitted objects will be used as material in the creation of the commemorative piece and will not be returned. Objects should meet the following requirements:
• Object can be no bigger than 6" x 6" (small enough to fit in a standard ziploc bag)

We invite you to participate in our Open Call for Submission!

Simpson Library Digital Exhibition Example

Here is an example of how your story will be shared on the Simpson Library physical and digital exhibition (fall) and for the Making Community Exhibition in PLAySPACE Gallery (spring).

View CCA Libraries Digital Exhibitions

What do I get for participating?

• Your individual story will be part of the Library's commemorative digital exhibition and archive.
• Your object will be used to create a commemorative art piece. 
• Participants will receive a limited edition pin in the spring semester.

Okay! I'm in, what do I need to do? 

• Complete this form
• Drop or mail your object (attn: Simpson Library, CCA, 145 Hooper St, San Francisco, CA 94107)

*Note: Physical objects will be used to create the collective piece and will not be returned to you.

• Sponsor
  • TTT Community & Culture Strategic Working Group

• Advisory Group
  • Marketing & Communication
  • Oakland Campus Legacy Committee
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

• Working Group
  • Campus Life +
  • Libraries +
  • Academic Affairs

• Partners
  • Alumni Engagement
  • Center for Art & Public Life +
  • Office of Student Belonging & Inclusion
  • Undergraduate Exhibitions & Public Programming
  • Commencement Planning Committee +
  • Staff Advisory Committee +
  • Graduate Student Alliance
  • Student Council

(+ = fiscal contributors to the grassroots projects)