Self Help Graphics & Art will participate in this year's Art Rise, a division of WE RISE 2021, through the development of two projects that will be accessible to the public to view outdoors at SHG, beginning May 7-31, 2021.

First, a temporary wheat paste mural designed by SHG Youth Committee members will be installed outdoors in SHG's parking lot facing west-bound (where year-round rotating murals will be featured on site), accompanied by a musical arrangement prompting viewers to take a step back from the endless scroll of negative news cycles and instead encourage activities that spark joy. The second is a documentary directed by Alvaro Parra, featuring the band Quetzal, that follows six street vendors who are Vendedores en Acción coalition members (Vendors in Action), highlighting the long-term mental and emotional implications caused by their line of work, their fight to legalize street vending, and by COVID-19.

Stills from the film will be mounted on SHG's street-facing wall on Anderson Ave, with a QR code directing audiences to view the film on YouTube. SHG's Youth Committee Mural and musical project will be available for the public to see in person and listen to, by accessing the composition through a QR code. Masks and physical distancing will be required by the public who visit the site. Passersby may also view the mural heading eastbound on First St.

WE RISE encourages wellbeing and healing through art, connection, community engagement and creative expression. With this year’s theme, “None of Us are Well Until All of Us are Well,” WE RISE 2021 is designed for ALL of LA County and includes Art Rise, a series of 21 art experiences; Community Pop-Ups and over 50 hyperlocal activities across Los Angeles County neighborhoods. Learn more about Art Rise here.