2025-2026 Youth Committee Cohort
The 2025-2026 SHG Youth Committee cohort had their last workshop last month! For 9 months, this program expanded access to artmaking, creating a space for the youth to create, connect, and lead, exploring how art can preserve cultural memory, build community, and amplify lived experiences. Learn more about the 2025-2026 cohort below.
TOP (LEFT TO RIGHT): Saul Macias, Luis Garcia, Amber Santos, Ana Cano, Emelin Leon, Emily Carrera, Aiden Gavieres, Suri Meza, Gaby Claro (SHG’s Studio Assistant)
BOTTOM (LEFT TO RIGHT): Nini Sanchez (SHG’s Youth Programs Manager), Karla Ramirez, Nuria Rosa, IxChel Canché
2025-2026 COHORT PROJECTS:
Created an altar to raise awareness on the criminalization of immigration for the Día de Los Muertos Celebration on November 1, 2025.
Engaged in various fieldtrips, including the exhibitions “Radical Histories: Chicano Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum” at The Huntington and “Ofelia Esparza: A Retrospective at the Vincent Price Art Museum”, as well as a photowalk of Lincoln Heights that materialized into surreal collages.
Participated in Gender Justice of LA’s For the Love of Gender Justice LA event’s Community Safety Resource Fair on February 27, 2026 making Know Your Rights “Love Letters” with participants.
Designed a sticker sheet featuring their digital illustrations that responded to the theme of “cultural identity”.
Curated an exhibition of their artwork titled Voices of Our City: Youth Perspectives on Identity, Place, and Social Change, on view at Picaresca Barra de Cafe from April 4 to July 31, 2026.
Organized and facilitated a family workshop at the East Los Angeles Library, titled “Tiny Treasures: A Polymer Keychain Lab” on June 13, 2026.
Painted a banner for the S.O.Y. Artista 2026 summer arts program.
Guest speakers and workshops for this cohort:
“Screen Printing Basics” with Gabby Claro
“Screen Printing Self Portraits” with Dewey Tafoya
“Art and Social Media Content Creation” with Jeny Amaya
“Procreate 101” and “Sticker Sheet Making” with Kari Ramirez
“Graphic Design - Digital Pattern Making” with Cynthia Navarro
“DIY Book Making” with Gaby Padilla
“Creative Visualization: Art Therapy through Writing and Visual Art” with Visualization Spaces (Angelique Johnson and Jason Benefield)
“Portrait Photography: Playing with Light and Shadow”, “Cityscapes Photography and Digital Collage”, and “Wellness for Artists: Movement” with Nini Sanchez
“Natural Dyes and Textile Painting” with Cayetano Talvera
“Storytelling for Food Justice” with Margaret To
“Beginning Muralism” with Josiah O’Balles
Now that the 2025-2026 SHG Youth Committee cohort successfully concluded the program, SHG is looking for new members for the 2026-2027 cohort!
The Self Help Graphics Youth Committee is a paid opportunity for youth ages 15-20 to support SHG’s youth-led programs and events, such as exhibitions, pop-ups, art installations, and more, uplifting issues important to young people in the community. Members develop leadership skills and learn how the arts play a role in storytelling, advocacy, civic engagement, and personal growth. The committee will have access to enriching opportunities, such as learning and engaging with guest speakers and gaining art-making skills. Guest speakers range from artists to community organizers and arts professionals. Most importantly, members connect and collaborate with like-minded peers!
The Youth Committee is open to youth living in Los Angeles County, with preference given to residents living on the Eastside of LA. The group's commitment is for 8 months, from October 1, 2026 to June 10, 2027. Mandatory group meetings will happen weekly on Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. and from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. during big projects at the Self Help Graphics & Art temporary office Lincoln Heights, and then at our newly renovated building in Boyle Heights. Additionally, we will have 1-2 field trips to art spaces across Los Angeles on weekends or during school breaks.
The deadline to apply is Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST