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 forward to the innovative initiatives and energy Corrie will contribute to our community.
Hello, Friends and Fellow Fans of SPARC!
What an honor to be moving into the role of Development Manager for this beloved and storied organization!
After moving to Los Angeles this past summer, one bright afternoon exploring my new Santa Monica neighborhood I happened to wander into the SPARC Gallery at the Bergamot Station Arts Center. Inside, I was surrounded by the phenomenal mural work-in-progress of the 1960s section of the Great Wall of Los Angeles mural.
Stretching to the ceiling on each of the four walls were vibrant scenes of joyful protest (have you seen our depiction of the Los Angeles Donut Riots?) and inspiring moments from our nation’s great era of everyday people standing up and speaking out for freedom and justice: Freedom Riders departing Los Angeles’s Union Station, the Free Speech rally at UC Berkeley, the East Los Angeles student walkouts, and more.
I sensed immediately that the history of the human spirit had come alive in this space and that this is exactly what we need art to do today.
After officially joining SPARC’s Research Team and delving into the collaborative process behind the mural extension project, my admiration has transformed into passion—dare I say, love–for SPARC’s mission, vision, and impact.
I am thrilled to return to the field of fundraising and development for an organization that creates art that changes lives and improves communities. My dream is to talk to every person in Los Angeles about SPARC, and then everyone in the state! But, then, why stop there? Will you join me?
I’d love to hear from you! Email or call me to share your ideas, questions, and stories!
Remembering Mark Rogovin Muralist, Activist, Author, and Friend to Judy Baca Rogovin worked alongside Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros in “The March of Humanity” and proceeded to become part of the mural movement in Chicago. Hitting the ground running, he founded the Public Art Workshop and opened the doors for young and aspiring muralists to pursue…
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,…
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…
Today, we honor the memory of Jim Prigoff, a prolific photographer and author who documented murals and street art in the U.S. and abroad for over 40 years. His extensive work has helped to define the landscape of public art, tracing the art form across generations and geographies. Jim was a part of the SPARC…
