Some classrooms feel special the moment you walk in. The Dr. Madrienne Johnson Art Lab & Gallery at Stokoe Elementary is one of those spaces.
Bright murals stretch across the walls. Color appears in every direction. The room feels open, welcoming, and full of possibility. It is easy to imagine students settling in, spreading out their materials, and getting ready to create.
That sense of energy and intention reflects the work of Julie Trujillo, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Instructional Coach at Stokoe Elementary, part of the Alvord Unified School District serving Corona and Riverside, California. As part of her work supporting arts-based learning, Ms. Trujillo helped shape this creative classroom by selecting colorful workbenches that add both function and personality to the space.
A Space Designed to Support Creativity
At Stokoe Elementary, Ms. Trujillo supports students through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, or ELO-P, which provides enrichment beyond the regular school day, including hands-on experiences that encourage creativity, learning, and engagement. In a setting like that, the classroom itself becomes part of the learning.
The Dr. Madrienne Johnson Art Lab & Gallery was arranged to support exactly that kind of hands-on learning. Six workbenches help anchor the room, giving students places to gather, create, and collaborate while still leaving plenty of space for movement and flexibility.
More than anything, the room feels intentional. It was designed for making.
Colorful Diversified Spaces workbenches help bring energy and function to this creative art space.
Color That Brings the Room Together
One of the most memorable details in the space is the way color was carried throughout the classroom.
Ms. Trujillo selected six workbenches with maple tops, then mixed frame colors across the room with carrot, aqua, and lime. That choice adds an extra layer of personality to an already imaginative setting.
In the photos she shared, the workbenches feel right at home among the whimsical murals, bright wall details, and creative touches throughout the room. The colors do not compete with the space. They contribute to it. Together, the tables and artwork create a classroom that feels cheerful, expressive, and ready for student creativity.
It is the kind of room that feels inviting before a lesson even begins.
A Classroom That Works as Beautifully as It Looks
Of course, a successful art room needs more than color and character. It also needs to work well day after day for both students and staff.
That is what makes Ms. Trujillo’s follow-up feedback so meaningful. When Worthington Direct sales representative Aidan followed up with her after the purchase, she shared:
“We LOVE our workbenches! I have had no problems with them at all. They were easy to assemble, easy to use, and easy to keep clean. They make amazing spaces for our students to do art! Everyone who sees them comments about how great they are.”
Her words capture something important about this project. The room is visually joyful, but it is also functional in all the ways that matter. The workbenches support everyday use, help students work comfortably, and fit naturally into the rhythm of an active art classroom.
Just as importantly, they help create a space that students and visitors respond to right away.
From Selection to Success
Ms. Trujillo worked with Aidan throughout the process, from the initial purchase to the email follow-up about how the school year was going and how the classroom furniture was working in the new space. The workbenches arrived just in time for the start of the 2025–26 school year, helping ensure the art lab was ready for students as the new year began.
That full-circle moment is part of what makes customer stories like this so meaningful. It is always rewarding to see how a classroom comes together after the order is placed, but it is even better to hear directly from an educator that the space is working well for students.
In this case, the finished room speaks for itself. It is bright, creative, and full of personality, but it also supports the everyday work of teaching and learning.
A Joyful Space for Student Artists
The Dr. Madrienne Johnson Art Lab & Gallery is a wonderful example of what can happen when thoughtful classroom design and creative instruction come together.
With Ms. Trujillo’s thoughtful art studio setup, the space feels welcoming, expressive, and ready for discovery. Students have room to create, collaborate, and experiment in an environment that reflects the spirit of art itself.
We’re grateful to Ms. Trujillo for sharing this space with us, and we love seeing how this colorful classroom is supporting creativity at Stokoe Elementary.
