Our Team

Youth Development • Arts Education • Cultural Preservation • Community Building

Todd "Estria" Johnson

Co-Founder / Executive Director

Todd “Estria” Johnson has been spray painting for over 30 years, and is recognized around the world as an urban art living legend. As a pioneer in an arts movement that is arguably more influential than the classical renaissance, he is acknowledged as a valued historian, and a community leader who has helped to awaken the social and political consciousness of graffiti writing art.

Originally from Honolulu, Estria was active in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980’s during the “Golden Age Of Graffiti.” His graffiti art background has led him to produce innovative projects as an educator, entrepreneur, and social activist. From the city streets, to executive suites, Estria has worked with numerous non-profit organizations (Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center in San Francisco & Eastside Arts Alliance in Oakland), as well as high profile corporations. In 2007, he co-founded the “Estria Battle,” a nationwide urban art competition that honors and advances creativity in the Hip Hop arts. In 2010, he co-founded the Estria Foundation.

 

Sarah Farris

Mele Murals Project Coordinator

Sarah is a recent graduate of the University of Hawaii Mānoa with a degree in marketing. However she has always had a passion for art since she was young. Sarah started by volunteering for the Mele Murals Summer Program, where she found a deep connection with the program. She now facilitates the Mele Murals program as an artist, assistant teacher, and project coordinator.

Sarah’s artwork can be found scattered around Oahu. During her free time, Sarah enjoys working on her small business up-cycling pieces, screen printing, and selling her beautiful floral artwork pieces. Check out more of her artwork at ArtBySarahFarris.com.

Sheanae Tam

Art Teacher

Sheanae graduated from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in 2017 with a Bachelorʻs of Fine Arts, and has been working in art education since 2015. Sheanae worked in museums, education, and non-profit grassroots organizations, where her educational philosophy rooted in ʻāina and culture based learning. She is passionate about creating learning environments beyond the classroom and developing equitable and accessible interdisciplinary curriculum. Sheanae is also a freelance artist, where her inspiration stems from her background growing up in a fishing family. Her work can be found at www.sheanaetam.com.

Fundraising Cabinet

The Fundraising Cabinet is a volunteer group dedicated to supporting and growing The Estria Foundation’s programs and operations. This is a non-voting, non-paid, voluntary support role. If you would like to be be a part of this exciting movement, please leave a message on the CONTACT US page.

Keoni Lee
Mihoko E. Ito
Tina Tagad
Estria Miyashiro
Kristane Gaspar
Liann Ebesugawa

We Need

Your Help

Your tax-deductible financial contributions provide critically needed support of public arts and placemaking programs in Hawai‘i.

We Need Your Help

Provide Hawai‘i schools with qualified arts educators, cultural advisors and professional muralists to guide students through the Mele Murals process.

We Need Your Help

Provide students with essential art supplies.

We Need Your Help

Helps Hawai‘i communities share their cultural heritage through large-scale mural masterpieces.

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