Isabel Halpern

Mural Program Manager
she/her

Izzy began working with ArtReach in 2015 as a teaching artist, bringing hands-on visual arts classes to K–8 students across San Diego County. While teaching at dozens of campuses, she noticed a pattern: many school environments felt stark and institutional, and students craved more opportunities to connect with each other through meaningful, creative work. Inspired by these observations, and her own interest in public art, Izzy launched the ArtReach Mural Program in 2019.

Since then, she has led the creation of over 70 public murals at schools, businesses, and community spaces across San Diego County. Each year, the program engages more than 1,000 youth and community members in collaborative mural-making, providing a vibrant outlet for self-expression, storytelling, and belonging.

Guided by the belief that art should be accessible and reflective of the people who create it, Izzy works closely with an amazing team of muralists and the participating community of each project to ensure every mural is rooted in the voices and identities of those it represents. The program began with a simple but powerful question posed to students: “What do you see on your walls?” and continues to center listening first, youth/community voice, and collaboration at every step.

Izzy also developed the ArtReach Youth Mural Artist Apprenticeship Program, a paid internship and deep dive into mural making for local teens and college students who have an interest in public art and in pursuing a creative career. This position allows participants to gain hands-on experience, learn from professional artists, and build their creative confidence through real-world mural projects.

She holds a B.A. in Studio Art from UC Berkeley (2013) and has worked with Mural Arts Philadelphia (2018) and the New Children’s Museum (2015-2017). Outside of her work, Izzy enjoys spending time outdoors, playing music, and being with friends and family.