In the 2006 season premiere, Spark plugs into the energy created when artists and institutions start anew.

First, visit the de Young Museum, which re-opened its doors in 2005, refreshed and revitalized with a new look and location.

Photographer Bill Owens stepped away from the camera for almost twenty years, catch up with him while he revisits the suburban landscape to document the ordinary and everyday.

Meet the teachers and students of ASCEND, a progressive primary school in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, where academic merge with the arts.

Finally, hear from ballet dancer Aesha Ash, who is a Bay Area newcomer and recent addition to Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet.

In this Episode

Aesha Ash

Meet Aesha Ash, a dancer new to the Bay Area.

ASCEND School

See art in action at Fruitvale's ASCEND School where arts have been integrated into every subject.

Bill Owens

Rediscover photography with Bill Owens, who stopped photographing for almost 2 decades but has started shooting again.

de Young Museum

Visit the new de Young Museum and see why it is vital to the Bay Area artistic landscape.