Trade School

with Arden Stern, Summer 2024 - Spring 2026

Trade School was an organization centered on building worker power through creative experimentation and education. Our mission was to provide affordable, accessible space for workers across communities to gather, exhibit, play, perform, teach, and learn. Founded by two design educators indebted to the radical visions of labor activism and liberation movements past and present, it was based on Hahamog’na land in the unincorporated area now known as Altadena, California.

Trade School's unique blend of experimental arts programming and mutual aid was highlighted by KCRW, for NPR's Morning Edition/All Things Considered, as exemplary after narrowly surviving the Eaton Fires. The print and audio piece, by Jenn Swann, can be located here.