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!
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…
Amy Poehler knows that smart girls get better with age. This episode highlights the work of Judy Baca, an artist who uses murals to wake up people. WAKE UP!
SPARC connected with actions being organized by National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Central American Resource Center and IDEPSCA to strategize with the creative community and plan actions SPARC can be a part of. This is a preliminary effort to mobilize our leadership and encourage other like minded arts organizations to stand in solidarity with social…
Exhibit Description: The Dream Resource Center (DRC) launched Undocumented Stories, an exhibit curated by UCLA students, DRC staff, and SolArt on January 24, 2017. Undocumented Stories utilizes storytelling to uplift the lived experiences of the undocumented immigrant community and highlight how they have built a movement to change policies impacting higher education, access to healthcare, and deportation proceedings. Undocumented Stories also include stories…
