At KIPP Promesa Prep, art is more than a class — it’s a space where students explore who they are and share their stories.
Inside Ms. Martinez’s art classroom, creativity is rooted in expression. Inspired by her own elementary school art teacher, who encouraged her to experiment with color, Ms. Martinez now creates that same space for her students.
She was inspired to become an art teacher because she loves to be creative and wanted to bring that passion into the classroom. That passion shapes how she approaches art with her students.
“Art education is important because it allows students to express themselves. It allows them to learn about life, who they are, who they wanna be, and what they want to bring into the world,’ she shared. “It teaches the whole child, so we get to see them in a different light beyond their grades or test scores and really get to know them.”
In her classroom, that vision comes to life every day — and this year, it will take center stage at the 20th Annual Museum of KIPP Art (MOKA). Five of her 4th-grade students—Ava, Fabian, Fox, Isabella, and Vanessa—are currently preparing to debut their artwork, each telling deeply personal stories that reflect this year’s “Moments” theme.
Ava’s piece captures a life-changing moment when she became a big sister after the birth of her baby sister. She loves coloring and sketching, and says creating art makes her feel happy and calm. She hopes people feel inspired, hopeful, and happy when they see her work.
Fabian’s artwork reflects a special memory of traveling to Las Vegas with his family for the first time to celebrate Christmas. He enjoys coloring and sketching, and says creating art makes him feel excited and happy. He also hopes people feel happy and excited when they see his piece.
Fox’s artwork features a wild turkey, inspired by her love of animals and birds. She enjoys creating art because “there are no rules and you can do whatever you want,” and says it helps her feel calm and happy. She hopes people feel interested and happy when they see her work.
Isabella’s piece explores how people can be in the same place at the same time, yet experience different moments in their lives. She loves that art allows her to express how she’s feeling and hopes people are amazed by her artwork.
Vanessa’s artwork shows two sisters watching a sunset, inspired by the idea that peace can be created anywhere by staying quiet, happy, and strong. She hopes people feel like they belong and that peace is always present when they see her piece. She hopes to become an animator or a children’s book illustrator one day.
These pieces reflect what makes MOKA so powerful — elevating student voice, identity, and lived experiences.
Join us this year as we celebrate the 20th Annual Museum of KIPP Art and the impact it has had on generations of KIPPsters. At KIPP SoCal, students aren’t just creating artwork — they’re sharing who they are. And at MOKA, their stories will be seen, celebrated, and remembered.