Expanding Horizons Through Public Art
Commissioned by Fontana Unified School District in partnership with Alliance for Education and funded by the California Arts Council, Welcome to the Rebelution transforms the exterior of A.B. Miller High School into a bold celebration of creativity, opportunity, and the future of the Inland Empire. More than a mural, the project was designed as a teaching tool that encourages students to imagine careers beyond traditional expectations while recognizing the region’s rich industrial heritage.
Created through Mass Murals’ Inland Empire Future Muralists (IEFM) program, the mural combined professional public art with hands-on arts education. Students worked alongside professional muralists throughout the design and painting process, learning large-scale mural techniques while contributing to a permanent piece of public art that reflects the aspirations of their own community.
Project Snapshot
Client: Fontana Unified School District, in partnership with Alliance for Education
Funding: California Arts Council
Location: A.B. Miller High School, Fontana, California
Completed: 2024
Size: Approximately 60’ × 35’
Surface: Raw cinder block
Services: Community Engagement • Concept Development • Historical Research • Custom Mural Design • Student Collaboration • Youth Mentorship • Large-Scale Mural Installation • Inland Empire Future Muralists (IEFM)
Completion Time: Approximately 1 Month
The Story
Welcome to the Rebelution was created to inspire students to think beyond the traditional career pathways often associated with the Inland Empire while still honoring the industries that helped build the region. Rather than portraying one profession as more valuable than another, the mural presents a broader vision of success—one that celebrates creative careers alongside manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and the skilled trades.
The composition combines local history, influential cultural figures, and symbolic imagery into a unified visual narrative. References to Kaiser Steel, rail transportation, and the Inland Empire’s industrial foundation appear alongside artists, musicians, educators, photographers, legal professionals, welders, and other careers that demonstrate the many paths available after graduation. Figures such as Frida Kahlo, Dolores Huerta, and Prince represent creativity, perseverance, and the power of individual expression, while regional landscapes connect the mural to the community it serves.
Just as important as the finished mural was the process behind it. Through the Inland Empire Future Muralists program, students participated in every stage of production, learning wall preparation, large-scale drawing, aerosol techniques, color mixing, teamwork, job-site safety, and professional mural installation. Rather than simply observing the creation of public art, students became active contributors to a permanent landmark on their own campus while developing practical skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Community Impact
Today, Welcome to the Rebelution serves as one of A.B. Miller High School’s defining visual landmarks. Visible from the campus and street views, the mural reminds students each day that their future is not limited by expectation and that creative careers deserve the same recognition as any other profession.
The project also demonstrates the mission of the Inland Empire Future Muralists program: combining public art with workforce development and arts education. By giving students the opportunity to work alongside professional muralists on a civic-scale project, the mural leaves a legacy that extends far beyond its painted surface—empowering young people with confidence, practical experience, and a broader vision of what is possible after graduation.