A Love Letter to L.A.: A Celebration of Solidarity and Resilience

Celebrate the spirit of solidarity and resilience that defines our beloved Los Angeles. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes invites the community to a special event featuring a day of artmaking, wellness activities, live music, access to essential relief resources, and food, while supplies last. Together, let’s create a heartfelt Love Letter to L.A.!

Participate in artmaking activities with Lil’ Libros, create Valentine’s Day cards dedicated to Los Angeles, enjoy a tea tasting experience, practice yoga movements, story time and book signing for children, participate in a limpia with The Bratty Brujita Botánica, and more.

Resources will be available from Red Cross, Inclusive Action, The Wellness Center of Los Angeles, Whittier Counseling Center, YMCA of Greater Los Angeles,County Board Offices, Telemundo, and NBC4.

Program:
10 am – Doors open; artmaking activities continue until 4 pm. Food and refreshments to be served, while supplies last.
10:15 am – Yoga movements by People’s Yoga.
11 am – Vinyl Spinning by DJ Abelardo de la Peña Jr.
12 pm – Sound bath introduction by Martin Espino.
1 pm – Sound Bath (Room 406), Vinyl Spinning by DJ by Emely Rauda, Storytime with Lil’ Libros Author Cynthia Gonzalez reading: The Life of/La Vida de Llort (Garden) and Book Signing (Garden).
2 pm – Vinyl Spinning by DJ George Cardenas, storytime with Lil’Libros Author Cindy.
3 pm – Vinyl Spinning by DJF Denise Garcia.
4 pm – Event ends

Tecitos for Resiliency: Wellness Teas in the Garden
Stop by the garden to relax and create your own custom tea bags featuring blends to reduce stress, support lung health, and boost immunity. Facilitated by Garden Educators: Marlene Aguilar and Melissa Gutierrez.

A Love Letter to L.A.
Join us for a heartfelt art activity where we come together as a community to share our experiences. Through art and letter writing, you will have a chance to express how the recent wildfires and the current political climate are impacting you. We’ll use this opportunity to send a message of resilience, hope, and support to everyone across Los Angeles. Write your message and post it up at LA Plaza. We’ll be highlighting your responses through the month of February. We ask: In these times, what message do you want to send the people of Los Angeles?

Share your answers in-person during our event or look for us on LA Plaza’s social media accounts at @laplazala where you can share your photos and share your message.

Book & Art Kit Giveaway for Youth Grades TK-12
Be inspired to let your imagination soar. Youth in grades TK- 12 will receive a book tote with copies of two Lil’ Libros published books and art supplies. While supplies last. Youth must be present to receive one tote.

Lil’ Libros Arts & Crafts Booth
Lil’ Libros believes that every child has the power to dream in two languages. Take an art break and join the Lil’ Libros team for creative art-making activities. “My Mind is a Mountain” focuses on sharing coping strategies with youth to support mental health. “The Life of Llort” emphasizes the power of art as a tool for building community.

• Lil’ Libros Author Storytime
  Join Lil’ Libros at our garden for two storytime sessions and a book signing featuring the following books and authors:

• My Mind is a Mountain/Mi Mente es una Montaña
  A little boy goes on a journey to discover a full range of emotions, from feelings of great enthusiasm and happiness to those of sorrow and anger. My mind is a mountain is a metaphor for the heights a mind can reach in powerfully handling all emotions from the lowest of the lows to the highest of the highest – and everything in between. Read by Author, Cindy Montenegro.

• The Life of / La Vida de Llort
  Born April 7, 1949, Fernando Llort was a world-renowned Salvadoran artist. His artwork sparked an artisan movement around El Salvador’s agricultural workers. He taught them how to use their artistic ability to make a living. As a result, the town’s agricultural faction quickly transformed into an artisanal atmosphere, generating jobs outside of farming. To this day, Fernando Llort’s art continues to inspire many to try their hand at artistry! Read by Author, Cynthia Gonzalez.

Food and refreshments to be served while supplies last
Tamales Veracruz
Tierra Mia
PepsiCo

Food and refreshments to be served while supplies last
Tamales Veracruz
Karla Partida-Ortega
Lilia Ramirez
Arte Mar 97
Lovely Flowers and Plants
Bratty Brujita
Artemisa Femmes
Diana Vega