Action Ashé!

Global Mural Project

Joel Bergner is the lead artist and coordinator of Action Ashé, a project that uses public art to uplift communities, celebrate culture, and explore a variety of local and international social issues. This project includes Joel's solo work, projects with at-risk youth and his collaborations with community-based institutions all around the world.

All images copyright © 2003- 2012 Joel Bergner

Versão Português

About Action Ashé!

Action Ashé! is a project whose mission is “to create social change and celebrate culture through public art.” The word ashé comes from the Yoruba people of West Africa, and refers to the spiritual life force. In a secular context ashé can mean positive energy or “good vibes.” When the Yoruba came to the Americas during the slave trade, they brought their spirituality with them, and the word and concept of ashé has become popular in many countries like Cuba and Brazil.  

Street artist and educator Joel Bergner created the concept of Action Ashé! Global Mural Project, which includes partnerships and collaborations with non-profit organizations, community groups, schools, religious centers, local artists and educators around the world. Past Action Ashé! projects have taken place in Washington DC, Baltimore, Newark NJ, San Francisco, Chicago, Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Brasilia), Cuba, Poland, Cape Verde (West Africa), El Salvador and Peru. 



Action Ashé! Goals

  1. Beautify neighborhoods through public art, bringing vibrant, cultural images to uplift public spaces.
  2. Give youth, especially in marginalized communities, the opportunity to make a positive contribution to their communities, learn skills that will help them in life, express themselves creatively, learn how to work in collaboration with others, and explore social issues, culture, and history through public art.
  3. Explore and raise awareness about important local and international social issues through public art and start dialogues about these issues. 
  4. Celebrate, explore, and educate about cultures from around the world, especially those that are ignored or misunderstood in mainstream society.
  5. Bring together artists, teachers, activists, and citizens who are interested in the above four goals, in order to collaborate with each other and work with youth and communities. 
Current projects:

Joel is currently working on a youth mural project in the South Bronx, New York City, through the Groundswell organization. He is also leading public art workshops in a women's prison in Maryland through the Class Act Arts organization. If you are interested in working with Joel in your community, or if you have questions regarding his work, please contact him:


Email: joelartista1@gmail.com
Phone: (415) 845- 2699
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