Estimada Comunidad,

As the summer months continue and a new school year approaches, the renovation of Self Help Graphic’s permanent home steadily moves forward with intention, purpose and a deep commitment to our community.

As stewards of the unceded land of Tongva people, we are humbled by the responsibility envisioned by Sister Karen to provide a space where artists could work and be able to express “who they were and mirror to the community their history, their heritage.” 

Building Update: Seismic Retrofit

Seismic retrofitting is the first major phase of  the renovation and reflects about 30% of the total project. The scaffolding currently visible along 1st Street is part of this essential work, which will ensure the building’s walls are reinforced and safer for long-term use. One key component of this phase is the application of shotcrete—a specialized concrete mixture that is sprayed onto the existing brick walls to strengthen and stabilize the structure while preserving its historical character.

We would also like to express gratitude.

To our Boyle Heights neighbors: We know that construction is hard, and takes a toll! Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding as we work to improve our space.

To our artists: Thank you for your continued trust. We deeply appreciate your flexibility and adaptability as we navigate the complexities of construction. Thank you for your dedication to bringing art, culture, and creativity to our community—despite shifting spaces and temporary disruptions.

And to our funders and supporters: Every contribution, large and small, is helping us create a more resilient, accessible space for all. Thank you for championing our vision of a permanent site for healing, cultural memory, and creative expression.

Seguimos adelante.

In this time when our communities face erasure and continued assault, we draw strength from Sister Karen’s unwavering spirit and the bold vision of artists who helped build SHG from the very beginnings to carry us forward.
We hope that the work to renovate our home honors their legacy and carries it forward for generations to come.

In Community,

Paulina M Flores, Interim Executive Director

On Friday, July 25, we celebrated the culmination of our 2025 S.O.Y. (Summer of Youth) Artista program, as students shared their artwork with family and friends— showcasing new skills and the social issues that matter to them.

Shout out to our Youth Programs Manager Nini Sanchez and to our teaching artists and assistants for such an awesome program this year. And shout out to Legacy LA for hosting us! Read more on this year’s S.O.Y. Artista program here.

Are you 15-20 years old, live in Los Angeles, and love art, community building, & social justice?  

Apply to join SHG’s Youth Committee, which will start meeting again this fall! Through this program, you’ll get to collaborate with other like minded creatives, learn new skills, explore the role of art in culture and activism, and uplift community voices! 

Applications will be accepted thru August 24, 2025.

Questions? Email nini.sanchez@selfhelpgraphics.com

Save the date for two public BMAS workshops this month!

Join us at The Getty Center on August 10 and 24 from 11am - 4pm for free Foam Block Printing workshops, inspired by their Lines of Connection exhibition (on view through Sept 14, 2025). Museum and workshop entry are free; parking fees apply. Make your reservations here.

Do you have images of Ofelia Esparza or her work? Vincent Price Art Museum is preparing for their upcoming exhibition Ofelia Esparza: A Retrospective, which will be on view this fall! As they organize, they invite the community to contribute images of Ofelia and/or her work!

For those that don’t know, Ofelia Esparza, Chicana artist, altarista (altar maker) and educator from East Los Angeles, is a sixth-generation altar maker and is known for her work with SHG, specifically for her community ofrendas (altars/shrines) for Dia de Los Muertos.

VPAM is looking for images of…

• Ofelia and Day of the Dead photographs in Los Angeles since the late 1970s

• Her printmaking years at SHG from the 1980s–2000s

• Personal photographs with friends and loved ones

All material content is welcome! Submissions might be displayed in the exhibition or in the exhibit’s publication.

Entry deadline: August 29 at 11:59 PM

More information can be found here.