With support from the CAC, DSTL Arts will execute a limited series of free, arts-based, civics-themed workshops focused on examining the significance of the U.S. Bill of Rights & supporting the production & public presentation of community-generated literary & visual artwork inspired by the theme, “We the People,” ultimately culminating in the publication of “Art Block Zine; Vol. 11: We the People” in July 2026 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the U.S.’s declaration of independence.
DSTL Arts fulfills its mission to inspire, teach, and hire emerging artists from underserved communities through a variety of arts-based programs, mentorships, and publishing opportunities for emerging writers and artists. This includes our Poet/Artist Development Program offering mentorships, professional development, and publishing opportunities to emerging poet/artists, ages 18 and older, specifically from historically-marginalized communities. Furthermore, our Art Block Zine and Aurtistic Zine publications feature emerging writers and artists from Los Angeles County and beyond, and in particular, neurodivergent artists from ages 6 and older through Aurtistic Zine. Our Conchas y Café bilingual community writing workshop series produces a biannual zine of the same name featuring the work of bilingual (English/Spanish) and monolingual (Spanish-speaking) adults learning new skills and techniques in creative writing. Lastly, our Creative Impact community-based, social justice-themed arts workshops provide paid teaching artist internships to select emerging poet/artists enrolled in our Poet/Artist Development Program and poet/artist-led, intergenerational, social justice-focused, arts workshops and publishing opportunities for our broader community. To make all of these programs accessible to our community, DSTL Arts offers our Mobile Art Lab as an additional resource, bringing a uniquely fitted vehicle to community settings where access to large-format scanners/printers, tablets, and WiFi is limited, thereby addressing the digital divide our community members often experience. And to further engage and celebrate our community and program participants, we host a monthly podcast that highlights local artists and featured artists from our zines, as well as provide all of our workshops as both in-person and virtual programs that exist in perpetuity on our YouTube channel where individuals are welcome to continue their learning experience.

