In 1973, Sister Karen, Carlos Bueno and Antonio Ibañez dreamed of a space where art could speak for who they were and what they believed in. They had no building, little to no funding, and no institutional backing. But they did it anyway.

Five decades later, Self Help Graphics & Art has reached thousands across Los Angeles, the U.S., and around the world, serving as a vital force for cultural expression, artistic development and community empowerment.

Help us continue this legacy that began in a garage in East Los Angeles and grew into a movement for social justice and art.

Help us reach our $20,000 end-of-year goal.

A gift today, and through the end of the year, will support:

• Transformative Artistic Vision and Exhibitions:

  From Sinks and Melissa Govea’s Radical Histories commission to Pachucxs Revisited and Floatin’ on Cotton, SHG empowers artists to create, grow and lead cultural innovation.

• Sustain next year’s Dia de los Muertos celebration.

• Youth Programs nurturing the next generation of artists, engaging 300+ young people annually through Soy Artista, Creative Labs, and the Artivista Intership.

• Employing and empowering artist through our Barrio Mobile Art Studio (BMAS) that began in 1975 and today continues to provide free, community-centered workshops across neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.

• The Print Summit that brought joy and connection to more than 400 community members this year.

• Community-powered advocacy as part of the Eastside LEADS Coalition that helped secure Los Angeles’ first rent-stabilization update in 40 years.

Help us reach our $20,000 end-of-year goal.

Today, SHG continues to be the preeminent center for Latinx art, in printmaking, exhibition, training and resources for young and emerging artist.

Renovation is currently underway at our historic building in Boyle Heights. Once a shoe factory and sea urchin packing plant, the Ocean Queen, went on to house our print studio, gallery, youth and community programs. As stewards of the unceded land of Tongva people, our work to renovated our 12,000 square ft. space reflects the strength, resiliency and creativity of past generations.

A year-end gift today affirms that anything is possible when we work together. It helps teach the next generation to create, to imagine, and to believe that -even when told otherwise- we can do it anyway!