This year, as part of Hearts in San Francisco 2025, art teacher Jessica Rosenfeld and her students have created a beautiful piece of art titled “Pájaros de la amistad” – translated as “Birds of Friendship” – that reflects both the rich cultural heritage of their community and the universal themes of freedom, joy, and connection.

A Journey of Inspiration and Expression

Jessica Rosenfeld, born in Argentina and a proud New York transplant, moved to San Francisco in 1999 and quickly fell in love with the city’s energy, diversity, and colorful murals. As an artist, Rosenfeld was drawn to the vibrancy of the Mission district, a neighborhood known for its art-filled streets and a history deeply rooted in immigrant communities. For Jessica, teaching art to children in the community has been nothing short of a dream come true.

I’ve always loved the way art can provide a space for rest and play, and when you’re working with children, it’s a chance to watch them expirience the world through new lenses.

The Heart of the Project

The central theme of the artwork, birds, was chose deliberately, drawing inspiration from folk art traditions in Central America, where birds often appear as symbols of joy, freedom, and connection. The 3rd-grade students at Cesar Chavez Elementary School worked hand in hand with Jessica to create the heart shapes sculpture, adoringing it with vibrant, colorful birds that reflect their collective spirit and sense of belonging. Jessica explains how birds are a beautiful metaphor for freedom.

The birds represent the idea of soaring high and the joy of community. Jessica and her students wanted their heart to symbolize friendship, the idea that they can fly together, share stories, and celebrate who they are as a group. The birds, for her students, are a symbol of hope and unity.

Pájaros de la amistad, or “Birds of Friendship,” speaks to the bonds that are formed within the classroom and the greater community. The act of creating the heart itself was an act of community-building, a chance for these young students to express their joy, pride, and cultural identity through a collaborative artistic endeavor.

This collaboration is a shining example of how art can be a vehicle for community engagement and cultural expression. Parajos de la amistad serves as a joyful, colorful reminder of the strength of connection of freedom, and of the beautiful diverse fabric that makes up our city.