Kathleen Gallegos, President
A Cuban-Puerto Rican-American born in NYC, Ms. Gallegos emigrated to California during the turbulent 60’s. She became a political activist in the 70-80’s, working in a newspaper graphics department. In the 80’s she visited Nicaragua to paint a mural and twice to Cuba. From 1995 to 1996, Ms. Gallegos lived in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Her social and cultural ctivism led to her founding Avenue 50 Studio. Since 2000, she has been the Director of the Avenue 50 Studio.
Suzanne Urquiza, Director
Artist, painter and muralist Suzanne Urquiza has extensive experience in corporate management and acquisition spanning across various fields, including finance, operations, marketing and technical. A native Californian, she takes pride in being a mother and grandparent.
Francisco Fernández, Director
Contemporary art collector Francisco Fernández is a wine-maker, real estate investor, and past president of the Wilshire Rotary Club of Los Angeles. A graduate of San José State University and UC Berkeley, Mr. Fernández is a U.S. Army Vietnam war veteran.
Raoul De la Sota, Secretary
Raoul De la Sota has a 43-year history of lecturing and travel programming, starting with his 1964 Fulbright Fellowship in Peru, South American, up to his curation of the “Spirits of Los Angeles” exhibition at the LA Municipal Art Gallery. He has been an exhibiting artist for over 44 years. Since 1967 Mr. De la Sota has been a Professor of Art at LA City College. He has been on the Board of the Avenue 50 Studio since 2004.
John Tapia Urquiza, Chairman
Born and raised in NELA, Mr. Urquiza has worked as an advertising art director and designer for over two decades. Currently, he is a visual journalist, educator and organizer with the artists collective Northeast LA Alliance, NELA No So Vende and is adjunct professor and lecturer on resisting gentrification.
Grace Amamiya, Director
Grace Amemiya is a Los Angeles–based visual artist whose work explores identity, memory, community, and cultural history through painting, printmaking, mixed media, and collaborative arts projects. Since becoming involved with Self Help Graphics & Art in the late 1980s, she has developed an artistic practice inspired by storytelling, symbolism, and mythology. Her work has been exhibited throughout California, Hawaii, Mexico, and Paris. Her prints are in the collections of Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Laguna Art Museum and the Blanton Museum of Art. Alongside her studio practice, Amemiya has dedicated much of her career to healing arts and community-based cultural programs. She is currently producing a documentary film Chicano Gráfica celebrating the history, artists, and enduring legacy of Self Help Graphics & Art.
Maricela Guzman, Director
Maricela Guzman is a Chicana veteran, social worker, and longtime advocate for social justice and community empowerment. She brings experience in community organizing, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership, with a commitment to uplifting Chicano/Latino voices and strengthening communities through culture, art, and social change. A Los Angeles native and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Maricela is dedicated to building connection, equity, and opportunities for marginalized communities.
Emeritus:
David Diaz
Ulises Diaz
Lara Medina
Tina Gulotta-Miller
Ricardo Munoz
Robert Sepulveda
Geraldine Simmons
David Stowe
Yolanda Noguiera
Sybil Venegas
J. Michael Walker