Big Read Program In La

The NEA Big Read: Los Angeles celebrates storytelling, books and readers at the 30th anniversary of the popular Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. The Festival of Books is largest gathering and presentation of all things book-related in the United States. Join book lovers to learn, taste, be inspired, make art, shop and explore on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on the campus of the University of Southern California (USC).

Stop by the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) booth # 721 in the Orange Zone for information about DCA’s cultural resources and citywide services. Booth activities will include drop-in art activities, such as poetry, zine-making, artists demonstrations, and limited edition giveaways, while supplies last.

This event is free and open to the public!

For more information about the DCA booth and/or NEA Big Read: Los Angeles booth at the Festival of Books, call 213-202-5567, or email elizabeth.morin@lacity.org.

For more information about the Festival of Books, visit: events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/.

 Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, in collaboration with the NEA Big Read: Los Angeles initiative, invites you to a two-part workshop that brings together literature, creative writing, photography, and an exploration of the neighborhood of Boyle Heights.

On Saturday, April 19, the first day of the program, a discussion of selected chapters from The House on Mango Street showcase how Sandra Cisneros painted a picture of the story’s protagonist, Esperanza’s, life and neighborhood, which was  informed by her own culture, through vivid imagery in her writing.

Participants will then be invited to walk around the neighborhood of Boyle Heights to capture examples of scenes reflecting their own upbringing and cultural identity through photography.

Cameras will be supplied for participants.

Then on Saturday, April 26, the second day of the program, the photos from the previous week will be printed for participants to view. Discussion and a guided writing exercise will prompt personal reflection of their own life experiences and upbringing. Participants will consider the topics of cultural and personal identity in storytelling through words and images. Participants will share their work with the group and take their personal writing and photos home with them.

For more information, please contact Julian Montenegro, at julian@bharts.org or visit bharts.org

Art in the Park is hosting a series of activities to celebrate this year’s NEA Big Read. All sessions are free and open to the public!

A free copy of The House On Mango Street will be provided, while supplies last, and free coffee and tea will be served. You are welcome to come to any or all of the sessions, an RSVP is highly recommended (so we know how many books to hand out).

Activities:

Reading Circle of Sandra Cisneros book The House on Mango Street 
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

A book will be provided to read-along

RSVP at artintheparkla.org/programming/the-big-read/!

Family Puppet Making Workshops
Saturdays, April 12, April 19 and April 26, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For Community Arts, we’ll be making puppets inspired by Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read. All ages welcome!

RSVP at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-KWaCC4SKt64w25S5ZI_B3sPQeQXk4shqBkj9nMiffxXrlw/viewform!

Animation and Puppet Making
Saturdays, April 12 & April 19, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Expanded hours to work on puppets for Wishes and animations to accompany original music of Home. Puppet making inspired by Carmela Full of Wishes, , by Matt de la Peña, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read. Music Inspired by The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the Big Read book of 2025.

RSVP at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-KWaCC4SKt64w25S5ZI_B3sPQeQXk4shqBkj9nMiffxXrlw/viewform!

Puppet Show and Film Screening 
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Screening of animations made to accompany original songs of Home by Community Band, Latin Jazz Band and Rafeal Rafel Bustamante.

Wishes, a puppet show inspired by the book Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña, with illustrations by Christian Robinson, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read.

RSVP at artintheparkla.org/programming/the-big-read/!

For more information, visit artintheparkla.org, or call (323) 379-5718 or email info@artintheparkla.org.

About Art in the Park:

Art in the Park provides community based arts and cultural programming, with an emphasis on the diverse contemporary and historical communities of Northeast Los Angeles. We foster community engagement and arts accessibility, creating opportunities by providing classes, workshops, exhibitions and performances conducted by both local and visiting artists.

The NEA Big Read: Los Angeles celebrates storytelling, books and readers at the 30th anniversary of the popular Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. The Festival of Books is largest gathering and presentation of all things book-related in the United States. Join book lovers to learn, taste, be inspired, make art, shop and explore on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on the campus of the University of Southern California (USC).

Stop by the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) booth # 721 in the Orange Zone for information about DCA’s cultural resources and citywide services. Booth activities will include drop-in art activities, such as poetry, zine-making, artists demonstrations, and limited edition giveaways, while supplies last.

This event is free and open to the public!

For more information about the DCA booth and/or NEA Big Read: Los Angeles booth at the Festival of Books, call 213-202-5567, or email elizabeth.morin@lacity.org.

For more information about the Festival of Books, visit: events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/.

 Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, in collaboration with the NEA Big Read: Los Angeles initiative, invites you to a two-part workshop that brings together literature, creative writing, photography, and an exploration of the neighborhood of Boyle Heights.

On Saturday, April 19, the first day of the program, a discussion of selected chapters from The House on Mango Street showcase how Sandra Cisneros painted a picture of the story’s protagonist, Esperanza’s, life and neighborhood, which was  informed by her own culture, through vivid imagery in her writing.

Participants will then be invited to walk around the neighborhood of Boyle Heights to capture examples of scenes reflecting their own upbringing and cultural identity through photography.

Cameras will be supplied for participants.

Then on Saturday, April 26, the second day of the program, the photos from the previous week will be printed for participants to view. Discussion and a guided writing exercise will prompt personal reflection of their own life experiences and upbringing. Participants will consider the topics of cultural and personal identity in storytelling through words and images. Participants will share their work with the group and take their personal writing and photos home with them.

For more information, please contact Julian Montenegro, at julian@bharts.org or visit bharts.org

Art in the Park is hosting a series of activities to celebrate this year’s NEA Big Read. All sessions are free and open to the public!

A free copy of The House On Mango Street will be provided, while supplies last, and free coffee and tea will be served. You are welcome to come to any or all of the sessions, an RSVP is highly recommended (so we know how many books to hand out).

Activities:

Reading Circle of Sandra Cisneros book The House on Mango Street 
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

A book will be provided to read-along

RSVP at artintheparkla.org/programming/the-big-read/!

Family Puppet Making Workshops
Saturdays, April 12, April 19 and April 26, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For Community Arts, we’ll be making puppets inspired by Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read. All ages welcome!

RSVP at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-KWaCC4SKt64w25S5ZI_B3sPQeQXk4shqBkj9nMiffxXrlw/viewform!

Animation and Puppet Making
Saturdays, April 12 & April 19, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Expanded hours to work on puppets for Wishes and animations to accompany original music of Home. Puppet making inspired by Carmela Full of Wishes, , by Matt de la Peña, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read. Music Inspired by The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the Big Read book of 2025.

RSVP at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-KWaCC4SKt64w25S5ZI_B3sPQeQXk4shqBkj9nMiffxXrlw/viewform!

Puppet Show and Film Screening 
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Screening of animations made to accompany original songs of Home by Community Band, Latin Jazz Band and Rafeal Rafel Bustamante.

Wishes, a puppet show inspired by the book Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña, with illustrations by Christian Robinson, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read.

RSVP at artintheparkla.org/programming/the-big-read/!

For more information, visit artintheparkla.org, or call (323) 379-5718 or email info@artintheparkla.org.

About Art in the Park:

Art in the Park provides community based arts and cultural programming, with an emphasis on the diverse contemporary and historical communities of Northeast Los Angeles. We foster community engagement and arts accessibility, creating opportunities by providing classes, workshops, exhibitions and performances conducted by both local and visiting artists.

Art in the Park is hosting a series of activities to celebrate this year’s NEA Big Read. All sessions are free and open to the public!

A free copy of The House On Mango Street will be provided, while supplies last, and free coffee and tea will be served. You are welcome to come to any or all of the sessions, an RSVP is highly recommended (so we know how many books to hand out).

Activities:

Reading Circle of Sandra Cisneros book The House on Mango Street 
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

A book will be provided to read-along

RSVP at artintheparkla.org/programming/the-big-read/!

Family Puppet Making Workshops
Saturdays, April 12, April 19 and April 26, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For Community Arts, we’ll be making puppets inspired by Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read. All ages welcome!

RSVP at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-KWaCC4SKt64w25S5ZI_B3sPQeQXk4shqBkj9nMiffxXrlw/viewform!

Animation and Puppet Making
Saturdays, April 12 & April 19, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Expanded hours to work on puppets for Wishes and animations to accompany original music of Home. Puppet making inspired by Carmela Full of Wishes, , by Matt de la Peña, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read. Music Inspired by The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the Big Read book of 2025.

RSVP at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-KWaCC4SKt64w25S5ZI_B3sPQeQXk4shqBkj9nMiffxXrlw/viewform!

Puppet Show and Film Screening 
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Screening of animations made to accompany original songs of Home by Community Band, Latin Jazz Band and Rafeal Rafel Bustamante.

Wishes, a puppet show inspired by the book Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña, with illustrations by Christian Robinson, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read.

RSVP at artintheparkla.org/programming/the-big-read/!

For more information, visit artintheparkla.org, or call (323) 379-5718 or email info@artintheparkla.org.

About Art in the Park:

Art in the Park provides community based arts and cultural programming, with an emphasis on the diverse contemporary and historical communities of Northeast Los Angeles. We foster community engagement and arts accessibility, creating opportunities by providing classes, workshops, exhibitions and performances conducted by both local and visiting artists.

Las Fotos Project’s Community Wellness Day is special event connecting neighbors to resources, and cultivating a space for community and creativity. Community Wellness Days include a take-what-you-need clothing swap, produce for community members, family photos
at our photo booth, art making, and refreshments, as well as other resources.

On Sunday, April 6, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. the special collaboration with the Big Read: Los Angeles, visitors can enjoy an art making activity based on themes of home, community, and identity, as found in Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street. Free copies of the book will be given out to event attendees, while supplies last, along with information about the NEA Big Read program for young readers and families.

For more information, visit lasfotosproject.org/events.

About Las Fotos Project:
The mission of Las Fotos Project is to elevate the voices of teenage girls & gender-expansive
youth from communities of color through photography and mentoring, empowering them to
channel their creativity for the benefit of themselves, their community, and future careers.

Art in the Park is hosting a series of activities to celebrate this year’s NEA Big Read. All sessions are free and open to the public!

A free copy of The House On Mango Street will be provided, while supplies last, and free coffee and tea will be served. You are welcome to come to any or all of the sessions, an RSVP is highly recommended (so we know how many books to hand out).

Activities:

Reading Circle of Sandra Cisneros book The House on Mango Street 
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

A book will be provided to read-along

RSVP at artintheparkla.org/programming/the-big-read/!

Family Puppet Making Workshops
Saturdays, April 12, April 19 and April 26, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For Community Arts, we’ll be making puppets inspired by Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read. All ages welcome!

RSVP at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-KWaCC4SKt64w25S5ZI_B3sPQeQXk4shqBkj9nMiffxXrlw/viewform!

Animation and Puppet Making
Saturdays, April 12 & April 19, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Expanded hours to work on puppets for Wishes and animations to accompany original music of Home. Puppet making inspired by Carmela Full of Wishes, , by Matt de la Peña, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read. Music Inspired by The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, the Big Read book of 2025.

RSVP at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-KWaCC4SKt64w25S5ZI_B3sPQeQXk4shqBkj9nMiffxXrlw/viewform!

Puppet Show and Film Screening 
Saturday, April 26, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Screening of animations made to accompany original songs of Home by Community Band, Latin Jazz Band and Rafeal Rafel Bustamante.

Wishes, a puppet show inspired by the book Carmela Full of Wishes, by Matt de la Peña, with illustrations by Christian Robinson, a companion book for very young readers for the 2025 Big Read.

RSVP at artintheparkla.org/programming/the-big-read/!

For more information, visit artintheparkla.org, or call (323) 379-5718 or email info@artintheparkla.org.

About Art in the Park:

Art in the Park provides community based arts and cultural programming, with an emphasis on the diverse contemporary and historical communities of Northeast Los Angeles. We foster community engagement and arts accessibility, creating opportunities by providing classes, workshops, exhibitions and performances conducted by both local and visiting artists.

Join Craft Contemporary‘s circle with Natalie Godinez, artist and educator, and learn how to crochet and weave fabric and yarn sculptures on a large scale. On Saturday, April 5, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., working together, participants will transform the museum’s courtyard into a textile masterpiece. This drop-in workshop is inspired by this year’s Big Read: Los Angeles novel, Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street, a story that delves into the themes of home, identity, and belonging.

This event is free and open to the public. No advance registration required.

RSVP at events.humanitix.com/community-craft-day-with-natalie-godinez-in-collaboration-with-nea-s-big-read?hxchl=hex-pfl