Image: SPARC Opening Day 1976, Venice, California. Image courtesy of the SPARC Archives. As we cross the threshold of our 50th year, our 2025 Impact Report serves as more than just a year-end review—it is a testament to five decades of sustained vision. This past year, we didn’t just meet our mission, we showed that…
We at SPARC take the reporting regarding Cesar Chavez seriously and hold in our hearts the women who have come forward; Dolores Huerta, Ana Murguia, Debra Rojas. Their voices deserve to be heard with deep attention, respect, and most of all, compassion for them and what women endure daily in our increasingly misogynistic society. There…
With great sadness, SPARC mourns the passing of Kent Wong, a visionary leader, educator, and unwavering advocate for labor and immigrant rights. As a key founder of the UCLA Labor Center and a beloved professor for over two decades, Kent shaped generations of students and movements with his dedication, compassion, and deep belief in justice. His influence extended…
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SPARC INVITES YOU TO PROPOSE A “SHOEBOX OFRENDA” This year, SPARC is dedicating our annual Día de los Muertos celebration to honoring members of our community who have been disappeared from Los Angeles homes, workplaces, schools, and streets due to ICE raids and anti-immigrant actions. Together, we will remember, resist, and celebrate life through art,…
SPARC Stands with Immigrant and Undocumented+ Communities In light of the current political climate in Los Angeles and across the nation, the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) stands in unwavering solidarity with our immigrant and Undocumented+ communities including mixed-status families, and those navigating multiple forms of systemic marginalization. Immigrants have shaped the cultural,…
Thank you to everyone who celebrated World Art Day 2025 with a donation to SPARC! Because of you, we are able to carry on our mission-driven work in art, education, community, and justice. Your support means the world to us This month, we are introducing a new Donor Tribute feature to our newsletter. Our inaugural…
This month, we shine a spotlight on Gary McKee. SPARC volunteer Gary McKee has guided more than a dozen school groups through visits to the Great Wall mural in the past year, applying his theatrical talents and love for storytelling in his role as tour guide. Gary loves to bring the stories of the mural…
We are delighted to welcome Elsie Dye Sims as our newest Artist in Residence at SPARC. Her lifelong dedication to art, social justice, and community-building aligns seamlessly with SPARC’s mission. Elsie has utilized art to address social issues, teaching art to children dealing with illness, fundraising for organizations like Planned Parenthood and The Trevor Project,…
We are thrilled to welcome Corrie Martin as SPARC’s new Development Manager! Corrie brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, event organization, and collaborative projects that align seamlessly with SPARC’s mission. Her passion for art, performance, and activism will be invaluable as we continue to produce, preserve, and promote socially relevant artwork. We look…
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Emily Winters, a groundbreaking muralist, activist, and co-founder of the Venice Arts Council. Her artistry and dedication to social and environmental justice have left an indelible mark on Venice and the greater Los Angeles community. One of Emily’s most iconic works, Endangered Species (1989-1990), adorns the…
Dear friends of SPARC, We are very excited to announce that SPARC has been honored to receive the esteemed Prigoff Collection as a gift, a momentous addition that celebrates our ongoing mission to preserve and uplift the power of public art and that enhances our ongoing archival efforts through the SPARC Archives. The Prigoff Collection…
Dear friends of SPARC, As the year comes to a close, we at the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your continued support. Your belief in our mission to create, preserve, and celebrate public art that tells our stories and uplifts our communities…
