Introducing SHG's 2025 Youth Artivism Internship cohort

Self Help Graphics & Art (SHG) is excited to welcome our 2025 Youth Artivism Internship cohort. This year marks the 5th iteration of SHG’s arts advocacy youth program. As our Youth Artivism Internship enters its 5th anniversary, we believe it's important to recognize how this program builds upon the legacy of Chicano artivism that SHG was born out of and fueled. 

It's far from a coincidence that the founding of Self Help Graphics (1973) coincides closely with the time of two, well-known moments in the Chicano Power Movement: the Chicano Student Walkouts (1968) and the Chicano Moratorium (1970). 

In opposition to systemic inequalities, Self Help Graphics & Art provided the space and resources for local Chicanx/Latinx artists to advance the political aims of the Chicano Power Movement. Accordingly, many artists at the heart of Self Help’s foundation used their art to visually express the struggles and aspirations of the community. In effect, the prints coming out of Self Help during the 70s became the backdrop to the Movement.

Today, at both a national and global level, we’re experiencing a reality that is strikingly similar to the social context of the Civil Rights Era. Like the 60s and 70s, our basic rights— especially those of the working-class, BIPOC, Queer, and immigrant communities—continue to be encroached upon by a small class of people in power. 

Evidently, there remains an enduring need to equip local youth artists with the skills and experiences needed to challenge systemic injustice and creatively imagine just alternatives. Rooted in a history of resistance, Self-Help Graphics and Art is particularly suited for the mission of incubating the next generation of artivistas who will use their creativity to shift our culture and create change.

Our Youth Artivism Internship fulfills this need by providing a paid opportunity for artists ages 18-24 who have an interest in the intersection of organizing, advocacy, and the arts. Our internship program values the participation of individuals who’ve experienced the impact of gentrification and displacement and have ties to the Eastside of Los Angeles. It provides participants with the experience of using art as a tool for social action and addresses housing justice issues set by the Eastside LEADS coalition. The interns work closely with me,  Jesús Estrada-Martinez, the Arts Advocacy Manager at SHG and Tania Ramon, Eastside LEADS’ Communication Coordinator, to inform and help develop art projects, activations, and/or exhibitions responding to the issues of displacement and gentrification. 

This year's cohort welcomes four new artivistas: Nat Ayala (all pronouns welcome), Abril Olalde (she/her), Karen Perez (she/her), Maddy Rubio (she/her), artists with a breadth of experience including previous participation in our Youth Committee program. They are community organizers, musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, rock climbers, and ceramicists. They began their program in June 2025, and are currently conceptualizing an art project benefiting community members impacted by the ICE raids in Los Angeles. Please join us in welcoming them and learn more about them below! 

ABOUT THE 2025 YOUTH ARTIVISM INTERNS

Natali Ayala (all pronouns welcome) is a Mexican American artist and UC Berkeley alum, born and raised in South Central Los Angeles as a child of immigrant parents. She is a versatile creator working primarily with acrylics, and color pencils—mediums that allow her to play with the bright, fluorescent pops she loves. Their work blends whimsical, playful elements with styles between cartoon and realism, often serving as a therapeutic form of self-expression and decompression deeply connected to her mood. She creates visual disruptors with bold accents, glitter, and kid-like details. Skilled in 3D modeling and digital art, Natali continually explores new ways to bring joy, nostalgia, and imagination into the world. A strong advocate for mental health, she believes self-discovery and investing in personal growth is a radical and necessary act of care. Everyone has a path, and she is hopeful to find hers. Fun fact: she rock climbs.

Abril Olalde (she/her/ella) is a first-generation Chicana from South Central Los Angeles. She graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Urban and Regional Studies. Abril is passionate about hood culture and the stories/lives that make L.A. In her free time, she loves to play video games, read comics, and support local small businesses. Through graphic design, drawing, lettering, and collage-making, Abril creates art to reflect herself and her community. Her work, both in art and activism, resists displacement and erasure, aiming to celebrate the culture, resilience, and versatility of her community.

Karen Perez (she/her) is a proud Mexican-American currently residing in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles. She is a passionate filmmaker who enjoys practicing graphic design, photography, zine-making, and more. Karen has worked alongside many Eastside organizations including Las Fotos Project, Legacy LA, and InnerCity Struggle. Her artwork focuses on youth, childhood nostalgia, personal identity and her love for their community. She loves shopping, watching movies, drinking matcha, and being out in nature. Music is also a huge influence in Karen’s life. She is deeply inspired by Amy Winehouse and Maria Zardoya.

Madelyn Rubio (she/her) prefers to go by Maddy. She is a Mexican-American , LA-based artist/musician. In her younger years, she would frolic City Terrace and make mud sculptures and animals, while her sister and her sang their favorite songs. Mud animals grew into her love for ceramics, and her love for music grew into her passion for songwriting and playing the bass and cello. Maddy is always hiking and exploring different hot springs and waterfalls. She enjoys taking photos of her adventures on her Canon AE-1 or Nintendo DS. She loves to incorporate her spirituality and activism into her art. Maddy believes she was given these talents to heal herself, her family, and those around her. Maddy is so excited to create powerful art with purpose along with an amazing group in the Artivista program.

Follow @shgyouth on Instagram to accompany our artivistas along with their internship experience. To learn more about SHG's Youth Artivism Internship, click here.

ABOUT EASTSIDE LEADS

Eastside LEADS (Leadership for Equitable and Accountable Development Strategies) is a coalition of community members and eight community-based partner organizations working together to ensure urban development and investment is guided by the needs and priorities of the community first, without displacement.