At Self Help Graphics, we believe that love is a political act. This month’s newsletter shares opportunities to practice care together and elevate creativity— through printmaking workshops, youth artivism, artist calls, community storytelling, and a final chance to see Radical Histories at The Huntington.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 | POLITICAL POSTERS WITH MELISSA GOVEA

Saturday February 14, 2026 | 1 PM - 2:30 PM
East Los Angeles Library | Community Room
4837 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022

This Valentine’s Day make radical political posters using stencil printmaking techniques with artist Melissa Govea. In this workshop, participants will design and print their own political posters inspired by art used in social movements. You’ll learn the basics of cutting stencils, working with bold text and simple imagery. Print your own poster to take home, share, or use in future organizing. This free workshop is for all ages and experience levels. All materials will be provided.

*** This workshop quickly sold out and more tickets have been added. If it remains at capacity on Saturday, limited walk-in spots will be offered.

LOVE IS A POLITICAL ACT

Love of community and love of service is why we do this work.

This week, help us honor El Día del Amor y la Amistad by raising $2,600 for youth arts programming in 2026. With your support, we can keep teaching the next generation of artivists to use printmaking and creativity as tools for dignity, civic voice, and collective care.

The images featured in this campaign integrate original artworks and designs created by SHG youth artists — a glimpse of the powerful work your generosity sustains.

Folks that give $50 or more by the end of this month will get a special bonus - an 8.5 x 11” ‘Eastside Story’ print by SHG Lead Printer Dewey Tafoya!

SHG X EASTSIDE LEADS IS LOOKING FOR YOUTH ARTIVISM INTERNS

Are you a youth interested in art and social justice? Apply for SHG’s x ESL Youth Artivism Internship for ages 18-24! Our internship prepares youth to confidently use their art for social action. During the span of the internship, interns collaboratively design and execute art projects, activations, and/or exhibitions that address housing justice priorities set by the Eastside LEADS coalition and social injustice more broadly. 

During the internship, artivists will:

• Receive ~$440 monthly stipends.

• Use their voice and art to advance housing justice.

• Nurture their ability to ideate and execute a collaborative art project.

• Develop a confident understanding of artivism and social housing.

• Deepen their  awareness of local history, government, issues, and the Eastside LEADS’ campaigns.

• Strengthen their skills in community organizing, advocacy, and workshop facilitation.

We are looking for 3 interns! The 9 month internship will take place in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights from April 2026 to January 2027. The internship requires a weekly commitment of  2 hour artivism in-person sessions on Tuesdays (4:30 PM-6:30 PM) and a 3 hour out-of-session time (for collaborative studio time, artivista project, workshops, artists talks, field trips, etc).

The deadline to apply is March 4, 2026.

ARTIST OPPORTUNITY: THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’S FELLOWSHIP FOR VISUAL ARTISTS

The California Community Foundation invites applications for their prestigious Fellowship for Visual Artists, which offers a $40,000 unrestricted cash grant, professional development programming, career coaching, and a curated museum exhibit at Craft Contemporary for LA County based visual artists with 5 years of residency in the County. Application closes on March 1 at 11:59 PM.

Interested applicants are invited to attend one of two virtual workshops to discuss the application process and ask questions.

• February 17 from 5:00-6:30pm

• February 24 from 5:00-6:30pm.

To access the Zoom links, visit this link.

BARRIO MOBILE ART STUDIO:
FEBRUARY ROUTE

Our Barrio Mobile Art Studio’s route for February! Join us at these FREE public art workshops happening all over LA!

• February 10 | 1:30 PM-3:30 PM | Community Resource Center East LA | Paper Flower Bouquet

• February 21 | 11:30 AM-1:30 PM | Urban Garden | Decorate Terracotta Pots (+ FREE Seeds)

• February 26 | 4-5 PM | LAPL (Exposition Park Branch) | Stencil Screen Printing

SATURDAY MARCH 3 | OPEN COMMUNITY CALL FOR SHG DOCUMENTARY

Saturday, March 7 2026 | 2 PM - 4 PM
Avenue 50 Studio
3714 N Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California 90065

Calling on all artists, community members, and individuals interested in keeping Self Help Graphic & Art’s histories alive! Share your SHG memorabilia from the 1970s to the 1990s. If selected, your memorabilia will be showcased in the documentary film Chicano Gráfica, which chronicles the legacy and global impact of Self Help Graphics and artists.

Chicano Gráfica filmmakers are looking for VHS, photography, invitations, visual art, postcards, greeting cards, t-shirts, performances/videos, music, records, CDs, or other related items from the 1970s to the 1990s.

If you have any questions about sharing your SHG memorabilia for the film or can’t attend the upcoming community call but still want to participate, contact the filmmakers at productions@chicanografica.com or at (323) 250-3963. All shared items will be returned. More information here.

RADICAL HISTORIES EXHIBITION CLOSES ON MARCH 2ND!

Radical Histories: Chicano Prints from the Smithsonian is in its final month at The Huntington, closing March 2, 2026.

It's been so moving to engage with the exhibition in different ways, from staff retreats, workshops, academic discussions, artist talks, curator-led tours and more!

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this beautiful exhibit in person!

Aside from the art, the exhibition also features a reflection space, where attendees can explore research on Self Help Graphics, Chicane and Latine printmaking, and the exhibition itself, which was first on view at The Smithsonian. This reflection space also invites attendees to write (or draw) any insights the exhibition inspires. Make sure you check it out!