Workshop

In celebration of the NEA Big Read: Los Angeles, the Barnsdall Junior Arts Center will provide 4 sequential workshops exploring various mediums such as Photography, Poetry, and Collage.

Each week students (ages 12-17) will work with a different Professional Artist producing work that explores various themes from Sandra Cisnero’s The House on Mango Street. All artwork created will be assembled into a Booklet/Zine that will be distributed for the public to acquire and experience.

*Students must attend orientation and all workshops

Registration opens on Eventbrite on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 9:00 a.m., eventbrite.com/e/nea-big-read-art-workshops-4-classes-ages-12-17-tickets-1301224640929?aff=oddtdtcreator. 

Workshop Schedule:

This series will meet in Studio 1 for 4-weeks on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. beginning April 26th and ending May 24th.

Class Dates and Times:

Saturday, April 19, 11:30 a.m. to 12:00p.m.- Orientation

Saturday, April 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.- Photography Workshop with Star Montana

Saturday, May 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.- Poetry Workshop with Teresa Hernandez

Saturday, May 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.- Collage Workshop with Graham Moore

Saturday, May 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.- Bookmaking Workshop with Io Olivera

For more information, contact BJAC Inquiries: DCA.Barnsdall.JAC@lacity.org

As part of the NEA Big Read: Los Angeles initiative McGroarty Arts Center invites you to celebrate The House on Mango Street  by Sandra Cisneros in this two day event through art making that explores the themes of the self-identity and sense of belonging.

Activities Include:
Saturday, March 29,

• Poetry / Creative Writing Workshop, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Participants are welcome to express their feelings about home, community, and personal identity, themes that reflect this years 2024/25 NEA Big Read: Los Angeles book selection, “The House On Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros.

Sunday, March 30

• Personal Collage Art Activity, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  and again from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
  Bring photos and personal memorabilia to create a collage based on a fun guided discussion about personal identity!
• Improvisation Workshop, 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Join in or just enjoy watching and laughing along.

• Memory Mosaic Art Activity, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  and again from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Bring personal and found objects to create mosaic that celebrates your unique personality.

All materials will be provided to arts workshop participants, while supplies last.

Free RSVP available at mcgroartyartscenter.org/big-read-2025.

For more information, visit www.mcgroartyartscenter.org, or email, info@mcgroartyartscenter.org

The McGroarty home was acquired by the City of Los Angeles in 1953. The house was declared a City of Los Angeles historic-cultural monument (#63) in 1970.

John Steven McGroarty wrote several poems and plays, most notably the Mission Play, which was a three-hour pageant portraying the history of the California missions. The play ran for twenty years and was seen by over two million people. In 1933, Mr. McGroarty was appointed Poet Laureate of California, a position which he held until he died in 1944, at the age of 82.
McGroarty Arts Center’s mission is to provide access to the arts, community and history by offering affordable or free in-depth arts instruction, and a wide range of creative experiences and events, to people of all ages, for many years to come. The Center provides a historic and cultural venue for artists to present their work in all forms, while preserving the legacy of John Steven McGroarty and his truly historic home. A home that is dearly treasured by so many members of our wonderful and supportive community.

Calling all writers of fiction, screenplays, poetry, etc. Get feedback on your writing in a fun, supportive environment! The Central Library Creative Writing Group meets every other Saturday for fellowship, feedback, and snacks. Meetings start out with a short writing prompt exercise, then writers are invited to share up to five pages of their work for feedback from the group. Whether you are just starting out or well on your way to glory, join us and banish (at least temporarily) those Lonely Writer Blues!

Please RSVP by emailing fiction@lapl.org.

Every Saturday, the market features regional farmers, food, and artisan vendors who bring a diverse selection of local produce as well as sprouts, breads, nuts, baked goods, and delicious prepared food. The market also hosts monthly events including cooking demonstrations, tastings, and children’s activities.

This is a time to explore the art and food of our global community. This session’s theme is “Rainbow Gardens: from Cali to Southeast Asia.” Children and their parents are welcome to see an art exhibit connecting California urban farmers to the food of Southeast Asia.

As part of the NEA Big Read: Los Angeles initiative McGroarty Arts Center invites you to celebrate The House on Mango Street  by Sandra Cisneros in this two day event through art making that explores the themes of the self-identity and sense of belonging.

Activities Include:
Saturday, March 29,

• Poetry / Creative Writing Workshop, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Participants are welcome to express their feelings about home, community, and personal identity, themes that reflect this years 2024/25 NEA Big Read: Los Angeles book selection, “The House On Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros.

Sunday, March 30

• Personal Collage Art Activity, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  and again from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
  Bring photos and personal memorabilia to create a collage based on a fun guided discussion about personal identity!
• Improvisation Workshop, 1:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Join in or just enjoy watching and laughing along.

• Memory Mosaic Art Activity, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  and again from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Bring personal and found objects to create mosaic that celebrates your unique personality.

All materials will be provided to arts workshop participants, while supplies last.

Free RSVP available at mcgroartyartscenter.org/big-read-2025.

For more information, visit www.mcgroartyartscenter.org, or email, info@mcgroartyartscenter.org

The McGroarty home was acquired by the City of Los Angeles in 1953. The house was declared a City of Los Angeles historic-cultural monument (#63) in 1970.

John Steven McGroarty wrote several poems and plays, most notably the Mission Play, which was a three-hour pageant portraying the history of the California missions. The play ran for twenty years and was seen by over two million people. In 1933, Mr. McGroarty was appointed Poet Laureate of California, a position which he held until he died in 1944, at the age of 82.
McGroarty Arts Center’s mission is to provide access to the arts, community and history by offering affordable or free in-depth arts instruction, and a wide range of creative experiences and events, to people of all ages, for many years to come. The Center provides a historic and cultural venue for artists to present their work in all forms, while preserving the legacy of John Steven McGroarty and his truly historic home. A home that is dearly treasured by so many members of our wonderful and supportive community.

This in-person workshop will guide you through the Tenant Power Toolkit, an online resource that helps tenants create an answer (a legal response to their case) that raises the defenses they might have against the eviction. All attendees must bring their Summons and Complaint-Unlawful Detainer to the workshop. Tenants can get one-on-one assistance in both English and Spanish.

Every Saturday, the market features regional farmers, food, and artisan vendors who bring a diverse selection of local produce as well as sprouts, breads, nuts, baked goods, and delicious prepared food. The market also hosts monthly events including cooking demonstrations, tastings, and children’s activities.

This is a time to explore the art and food of our global community. This session’s theme is “Rainbow Gardens: from Cali to Southeast Asia.” Children and their parents are welcome to see an art exhibit connecting California urban farmers to the food of Southeast Asia.

Writers of any level of experience are invited to join our writing group to practice writing short pieces across many genres and sharing their writing with others. Each month, we will engage with a different writing prompt, preparing our own short work in response and bringing it to share at our meeting.

This in-person workshop will guide you through the Tenant Power Toolkit, an online resource that helps tenants create an answer (a legal response to their case) that raises the defenses they might have against the eviction. All attendees must bring their Summons and Complaint-Unlawful Detainer to the workshop. Tenants can get one-on-one assistance in both English and Spanish.

Calling all writers of fiction, screenplays, poetry, etc. Get feedback on your writing in a fun, supportive environment! The Central Library Creative Writing Group meets every other Saturday for fellowship, feedback, and snacks. Meetings start out with a short writing prompt exercise, then writers are invited to share up to five pages of their work for feedback from the group. Whether you are just starting out or well on your way to glory, join us and banish (at least temporarily) those Lonely Writer Blues!

Please RSVP by emailing fiction@lapl.org.