If you’re a history or social studies teacher, you know that walls aren’t just boundaries—they’re blank canvases waiting to be transformed. The art you choose for your classroom doesn’t just decorate the space, it shapes class culture, sparks learning, and builds a sense of community. Teachers like you spend countless hours (and often their own $$) searching for the perfect classroom posters—the ones that will ignite student curiosity, support their learning, and strike an emotional chord. These classroom posters are more than mere space fillers. Maps, lists, representations of historical moments—the right visuals can anchor big ideas and serve as cognitive landmarks, helping students grasp important concepts all year. 

But let’s be honest: posters are also just cool. They bring history alive, transforming dusty dates into living, breathing stories viewed on the wall. The next time you find yourself—or another teacher—agonizing over which poster to hang, take a second to remind yourself—and each other—that it’s not about covering white walls. It’s about sparking conversations and provoking questions.  

And it’s this philosophy that has inspired OER Project to collaborate with one of the modern masters of poster art. 

If you were to make a list of the most impactful posters of the last century (think: Uncle Sam, Rosie the Riveter) the unmistakable work of Shepard Fairey would have to be on it. Remember the iconic “Hope” poster that became the heartbeat of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign? Yes, that is the work of Shepard Fairey—and he is the artist behind OER Project’s new poster collection.

Art, activism, and history

Fairey’s art embraces activism, and activism is a thread woven through OER Project’s curricula. As you make your way through OER Project courses, you and your students will encounter the art of activism everywhere—from abolitionist graphics to World War II propaganda to Cold War messaging posters. Posters have long been powerful tools for persuasion, protest, and change, relying on a visual language that transcends time and borders. Fairey pays homage to that tradition, reinventing the concept of propaganda for the classroom. His posters are teaching tools and symbols, designed to help students wrestle with big historical narratives, and urging them to consider the present through multiple lenses. They’re an invitation to see history as a source of inspiration and action, a reminder that understanding the past can empower us to shape the future. 

Frames in history

The new posters spotlight three critical lenses—or frames—that shape how we make sense of the past: 

• Communities: The groups people form and the identities they share.
• Networks: The connections that link us to each other and spark cross-cultural exchange. 
• Production and Distribution: How societies make, move, and share stuff we use.

These three frames are the organizational backbone of OER Project world-history courses. By mastering them, students unlock the mysteries of the Silk Roads, the ripple effects of the Industrial Revolution, and the swirling complexity of contemporary history. Fairey’s bold visuals transform these abstract ideas into daily conversation-starters, with colors that show how connected the frames are while allowing each to stand as its own distinct lens.  

Great art isn’t just decorative; it’s a catalyst. Great art on your classroom walls will trigger student curiosity, elicit tough questions, and anchor rich classroom debate. These posters will inspire students to challenge historical narratives and see history as vibrant, alive, and relevant. They will make history visible.