We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teresa Arias a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Teresa, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Growing up in an underserved community, I have understood the importance and need of resources. From art to education to basic needs, it is important to not only bring resources to these communities, but also, make them accessible.
Since opening SELA Art Center, our goal has always been to bring art education and resources to the communities that we know normally don’t cater to creatives. Forming a safe space to develop goals and enhance creativity has been one of our most rewarding accomplishments that we hope to continue. Being able to hire within our group of local artists and bring in the notion that art can become a career, has also allowed us to educate our community on the importance of art and allowing our youth to dream big. Through SELA Art Center, I have also been able to tie-in my passion for education and provide workshops aiding and promoting higher education with the collaboration of local organizations like, Latino Equality Alliance and Southeast Community Development Corporation.
Now, also working through the Magnolia Public Schools system as a Family Success Coordinator, I am able to foster relationships with families to enhance and enrich the process student enrollment, and connect them with team members, like our Community School Coordinators, bringing resources to families. From free dental, medical, food distributions to tutoring resources- to name a few, I believe school systems providing accessible resources to help the growth of our youth, are extremely important.

Teresa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Born to parents who immigrated from Michoacán, Mexico, and being raised in Southeast Los Angeles, I grew up understanding the importance of hard work and giving back. Since a young age, my siblings and I were instilled with the idea that if we have the will to, we can make anything happen, as long as we remember how we got there.
I can say I have been fortunate enough to have role models like my siblings who have pushed me and inspired me to aim big and follow my dreams. I have also had the luck to work alongside my brother, who founded SELA Art Center, and has allowed me to explore and strengthen my passion in education and aiding underserved communities. Although I considered becoming a teacher after college, I have experienced what has felt like a full circle and am now able to use my BA in Journalism and Communications Studies from CSULB to research and provide outreach services that allow me to connect with organizations in order to serve and provide resources to communities. I am looking forward to continue my work and be able to make well-rounded resources accessible to different communities.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Although SELA Art Center caters to Southeast Los Angeles, we have grown in attendance from artists coming in from different cities. We have been able to provide the same quality services that many other organizations have available, but I believe that our sense of community has allowed us to build our reputation. Based on availability of workshops, many of our artists visit other organizations, and it is them who have informed other artists about what we provide. In addition to workshops, we also noticed the need for artists to be able to socialize and network outside of any conceptual constraints. Because of this, and as suggested by some of our artists, we meet at least once a month for a “Drawing Crew Meet” where artists can enjoy each other’s company, draw and have a good time. Our community of artists have become family and it is important to create safe spaces that are welcoming to all artists.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Coming to the SELA Art Center with an education background allowed me to use my knowledge in welcoming different types of people with different backgrounds. The experience I have gained in networking with other organizations and maintaining relationships, has also allowed me to partake in instructing higher education workshops that I had only hoped to do in my community. In addition, enjoying what I do within SELA Art Center, motivated me to look for different career opportunities where I could take my experience, learn more, and continue to assist communities- leading me to my role at Magnolia Public Schools.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @selaartcenter

Image Credits

SELA Art Center Team