Storytelling

 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.

In 2019, Lawson answered more than 1,000 questions in his Story File so that future generations can continue conversing with him to learn about his legacy. What would you like to ask Lawson?

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

In 2019, Lawson answered more than 1,000 questions in his Story File so that future generations can continue conversing with him to learn about his legacy. What would you like to ask Lawson?

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

In 2019, Lawson answered more than 1,000 questions in his Story File so that future generations can continue conversing with him to learn about his legacy. What would you like to ask Lawson?

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

In 2019, Lawson answered more than 1,000 questions in his Story File so that future generations can continue conversing with him to learn about his legacy. What would you like to ask Lawson?

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

In 2019, Lawson answered more than 1,000 questions in his Story File so that future generations can continue conversing with him to learn about his legacy. What would you like to ask Lawson?

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

Interact Theatre Company, in partnership with the Los Angeles Public Library’s LA MADE cultural enrichment program, proudly presents Pulitzer Prize-winner Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire—the third installment in their acclaimed staged reading series, The Prize Winners.

Rabbit Hole is Directed by Cate Caplin, the play features a stellar cast: Betsy Brandt, Olivia Castanho, Patrick Keleher, Roxanne Hart, and Keith Powell.

All welcome to view this FREE performance on Saturday, April 12, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Studio City Library Branch.

In 2019, Lawson answered more than 1,000 questions in his Story File so that future generations can continue conversing with him to learn about his legacy. What would you like to ask Lawson?

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.,
Thursday, 12:00 noon – 8:00 p.m.
Adults – $16, Seniors and Youth – $9, Members and Children under 5 – Free

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.