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Celebrating Words: Art and Literacy Festival inspires and amplifies the artistic and educational lives of our attendees, moving us towards a deeper understanding of self, culture, and community, through the powerful means of the arts and critical literacy. The 21st annual Celebrating Words returns this year and will be held on May 30, 2026 from 3-7 pm inside the Global Green Generation campus.
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Performances by
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The Celebrating Words Book Giveaway is intentionally designed to be a literacy resource that supports our community in becoming active readers and owners of personal libraries. We’re giving away 1,000 brand-new books for all ages in English, Spanish, and bilingual options. Stop by early—books are first-come, first-served while supplies last! One book per person.
CHILDREN'S BOOKS
AGES 0-9
MIDDLE GRADE BOOKS
AGES 10 - 14
YOUNG ADULT BOOKS
AGES 14 -18
ADULT BOOKS
AGES 18+
LIBROS EN ESPAÑOL
AGES 18+
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CREATIVE RESISTANCE AREA
ICE OUT! Bracelets by Meztli Projects
Make ICE OUT whistles and tech infused safety jewelry using tech infused beads that connects you to Know Your Rights information and immigration rights resources.
*First come, first served for 20 participants each session. Located inside the school library.
Session 1: 3:30-5pm
Session 2: 5:30-7pm
LITERACY LANE AREA
Snail Mail Station
Customize a limited-edition postcard designed by local SFV artist Hood Van Gogh and dedicate it to a special someone. We will mail it out the old-school way—a festival memory that arrives in their mailbox long after the festival day.
Scribble Art Bot by Kaminos STEAM
Join us to assemble your very own robot that scribbles and see how science meets creativity! Learn how electricity flows from a battery to a DC motor to bring your robot to life. Experiment with different patterns and styles and then contribute to a community art mural to leave your mark.
Leaf Your Mark by Tree People
Write a cherished tree memory on a leaf cut out and paste it on a tree poster. After writing their memory, participants will plant an Italian Stone Pine seedling and learn to care for it.
Glow Power! by DIY Girls
Learn basic circuitry while exploring STEAM concepts to create your own empowering light-up name tag. Participants will be able to choose from a variety of pre-designed name tag templates, select their preferred LED color, and personalize it by assembling their circuit and making their name tag glow.
Mini Zines - Big Words with Boyle Heights Arts Conservancy
Discover the art of zine-making! In this workshop, you’ll choose meaningful words and create drawings that visually represent them, folding it all into a classic mini-zine format for you to take home.
Rebel Press: Flash Tattoo Buttons
Join us for a workshop where you’ll curate, customize, and press your own high-quality pin-back buttons. We’re featuring exclusive flash sheet artwork from local tattoo artist Luis Tovar. Pick your favorite design, or draw your own, and use our professional button makers to seal the deal.
arte sana area
Outdoor Print Shop by Self Help Graphics and Arts
Learn how to craft art posters from handmade stencils, using cardstock and cutting tools to bring your unique designs to life. Once the design is ready, our team will bring it to life through the art of silkscreen printing, applying vibrant inks on poster paper.
Lowrider Stories by CHIRLA
Join us for a paper lowrider workshop where you will customize your very own lowrider/ Learn how lowriders serve as mobile storytellers for our community, then customize your own paper model with images and words that represent your identity, culture, and values that matter most to you. Then cut, fold, and assemble your own custom ride.
Sun Prints by Nature For All
Discover the art of cyanotype, a classic photographic process that uses sunlight to create deep-blue prints. Using pre-exposed cyanotype paper, natural elements and your creative expression we will craft a unique art piece that will bring you personal joy, community pride, or reminders of self-care.
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Learn about local organizations, their resources, and how you can get involved.
California State University Northridge
LA Spoonie Collective
People's Struggle San Fernando Valley
Pacoima Neighborhood Council
Child Care Resource Center
Chrysalis
UCLA Headstart
Ser Parte
Office of City Clerk
Somos Familia Valle
Vaugh G3 Academy
More coming soon…
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Shop art, jewelry, clothing, and unique hand crafted goods and gifts.
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Come hungry because you're going to want to treat yourself to one (or more!) delicious food truck vendors.
List of food truck vendors coming soon!
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Each year Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural strives to make our fee arts and literacy festival an accessible and inclusive festival for everyone!
ADA Accommodations and more details coming soon.
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Festival Producer:
Karina Ceja
celebratingwords@tiachucha.org
Instagram: @tiachuchas
Facebook:
Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore
