A free new arts program is giving Stockton teenagers a chance to do more than learn how to paint. It is inviting them to explore how public art can help shape the places they call home.
The Reinvent South Stockton Coalition is launching Create, Paint, Imagine, a four-week youth mural art program led by artist Kia Duras-Carter. Classes will run from September 28 through October 24, 2026, at the Community Resiliency Hub, 306 E. Main Street, Suite 211, in downtown Stockton.
The program is open to Stockton-area youth ages 12 to 18, and participation is completely free. No previous art experience is required.
More Than an Art Class
During the four-week program, participants will receive hands-on experience creating mural art while learning about creativity, collaboration and the role public art can play in a neighborhood.
Classes are scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m., with one schedule change: the class normally planned for Saturday, October 10, will instead be held on Friday, October 9.
For teens who have never painted a mural before, the program is designed to provide a welcoming place to start.
The emphasis is not only on technique, but also on helping young people explore their own ideas and discover how art can communicate something meaningful to the wider community.
Giving Young People a Voice in Their Community
That community connection is especially fitting for Reinvent South Stockton Coalition.
The nonprofit works on issues including education, youth development, neighborhood transformation, workforce opportunities and community trust, with an overall mission focused on empowering residents to improve their neighborhoods.
Public art has already played a role in that work.
In an earlier mural project at Williams Brotherhood Park, the organization involved residents, youth and local students in developing and painting a mural that incorporated colors representing Mexican, Filipino and African American heritage. Community input helped shape the design before it was ultimately painted by local residents and students.
Create, Paint, Imagine continues that idea of using art as a way to bring people together while giving young residents a chance to contribute creatively.
A Free Opportunity for Stockton Teens
Programs like this can be especially valuable for young people who are interested in art but may not have access to private lessons, specialized supplies or other creative opportunities.
By making the classes free and requiring no previous experience, organizers are opening the door to teens who may simply be curious enough to try something new.
They will also be creating alongside other young people from the community, turning the experience into both an arts program and a place to build new connections.
Event Details
What: Create, Paint, Imagine: Free Youth Mural Art Classes
When: September 28 through October 24, 2026
Class Days: Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays
Time: 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Schedule Note: The October 10 class will be held Friday, October 9 instead
Where: Community Resiliency Hub, 306 E. Main St., Suite 211, Stockton
Ages: 12 to 18
Cost: Free
Experience Required: None
Instructor: Kia Duras-Carter
Website: Instagram
Register: Youth Mural Class Registration through Reinvent South Stockton Coalition
For Stockton teens interested in art, this is an opportunity to pick up a brush, learn something new and see how creativity can become part of the community around them.
And for the city, it is another example of what can happen when young people are invited not just to live in a neighborhood, but to help leave their mark on it.