Julia Barzizza
Ph.D. Student - Language, Literacy and Culture
Before joining UC Davis, Julia amassed a decade of experience working as a freelance illustrator, designer, muralist and K-5 mindfulness teacher. Her illustrations have been published in 7×7, The Bold Italic, and Food52. Her designs contributed to organizations that include Whole Foods Market and Ancestry. She trained as a muralist under Precita Eyes Muralists Association, and she has contributed to murals throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. She has five years of experience designing social emotional learning curriculum and teaching resilience strategies to K-5 students in a therapeutic setting.
Julia is advised by Darnel Degand and Jennifer Higgs. She is a contributor to Ed Media Lab led by her primary advisor, Dr. Degand.
Research Interests
Art education, ethnic studies, critical race theory, culturally responsive curriculum, k-12 schools, murals, public art, visual and performing arts
Education
M.A. (2024). Sociology
New Mexico State University
B.F.A. (2015). Illustration
California College of the Arts
Publications
Barzizza, Julia. April 2026. “Book Review of Immigration: how the past shapes the present by Nancy Foner.” Ethnic and Racial Studies.
Barzizza, Julia. February 2026. “California’s high schools should be teaching ethnic studies courses but aren’t.” CalMatters. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
Barzizza, Julia. December 2025. “Book Review of Essays on Art and Science by Eric R. Kandel.” Journal of Visual Culture.
Barzizza, Julia. 2024. “Book Review of Toxic Water, Toxic System: Environmental Racism and Michigan’s Water War by Michael Mascarenhas.” Sociology of Race and Ethnicity.
Creative Works
Mural Installations
Sí Se Puede! Restoration (2025)
Dolores Huerta Elementary School, San Francisco, California
Contributions: Lead artist
Grow Your Mind (2025)
Youth Spirit Artworks, Berkeley, California
Contributions: Collaborating artist
Follow your dreams on the path to success (2025)
Thornton High School, Daly City, California
Contributions: Lead artist, mural arts teacher
El Quinto Arcoiris (2024)
Mission Education Center Elementary School, San Francisco,
California
Contributions: Lead artist, mural arts teacher
Seven colors of resistance (2023)
James Lick Middle School, San Francisco, California
Contributions: Lead artists, mural arts teacher
Together We Grow Resilient (2021)
Laguna Honda Hospital, San Francisco, California
Contributions: Lead artist, community organizer
Butterflies Forever! (2021)
Precita Park Playground, San Francisco, California
Contributions: Lead artist
Nested Together, We Flourish! (2021)
Brisbane Public Library, Brisbane, California
Contributions: Lead artist
Professional Academic Affiliations
California College of the Arts
