is essential for unlocking creativity and fostering innovation.
PLAY
Full
fillment comes from embracing and expressing our true self.
Ground
is a solid foundation for play, exploration, and a sense of belonging.
PHILOSOPHY
Collaboration & Community
Both youth and adults come together to build an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Together, we create a space where everyone feels valued and empowered to grow. Our community-building efforts are dedicated to everyone's personal development.
​
Be Real, But Not Realistic
We encourage students to explore passions that may not align with societal expectations, pursuing what truly resonates with self, even if it doesn't seem realistic at first. Freedom to dream can enrich our life experiences and open doors we never anticipate.
​
Curiosity & Inspiration
Curiosity and inspiration drive the journey of discovery, sparking a passion for the unknown. We believe that engaging in intellectual pursuits challenges the familiar, continually broadening our perspectives through knowledge and fresh insights. This process is essential for fostering creativity and promoting personal growth.
​
​
Story
Mai Ryuno is an interdisciplinary artist and educator originally from Fukuoka, Japan. She began her journey by earning a BA in English from Doshisha University in Kyoto, before pursuing her dream of becoming an artist in the United States. After three years at Monterey Peninsula College, she transferred to the San Francisco Art Institute, where she completed her MFA in printmaking in 2008. At SFAI, she worked at City Studio/Public Education as an instructor for Young Artist and PreCollege programs, and also served as the assistant director for youth and adult programs.
​
Mai's community-based artworks offer a unique blend of site-specific installations and participatory performances. By inviting audiences to gather and engage, she creates meaningful interactions inspired by the simple joys of everyday life—cooking, eating, and connecting. Her work fosters a vibrant sense of community, grounded in joy, respect, and care. She originally created Play Full Ground as a unique one-night community art exhibit at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in 2017. Inspired by the positive response, she opened a community art studio with the same name in Monterey, CA, where she hosted engaging art events and workshops, fostering creativity and connection.
​
Following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan, Mai's experience as an educator deepened her appreciation for the ability of youth to bring hope in times of crisis. Through her creative community-building efforts, she has collaborated with organizations such as the Center for Cities + Schools at UC Berkeley and the Association of California School Administrators. Her expertise extends internationally, serving as a visual art examiner for the International Baccalaureate and working as an interpreter for educational institutions in the US and Japan, including the National Institute for Educational Policy Research in Tokyo and Learning Policy Institute in Palo Alto, and the California Department of Education, enhancing the learning experience across borders.
Her diverse background enriches her approach to art and education, while her dedication to fostering connection and resilience continues to impact the communities she engages with.
