Karen Boccalero

Sister Karen Boccalero, the Franciscan nun who founded Self-Help Graphics in an East Los Angeles garage and turned it into a showcase and training ground for some of the nation's most important Latino artists, died Tuesday. She was 64. A silk-screen artist and painter, Boccalero and a group of Chicano artists founded the center and gallery in 1971. The center provided teaching jobs, studio space and early public exhibitions for such artists as Gronk, Frank Romero, Patssi Valdez and others.

It was a strange crowd that gathered at Calvary Cemetery on Saturday afternoon to honor the memory of a Franciscan nun who devoted her life to God and to the artists of East Los Angeles. Out on the grassy lawn, there were 12 skeletons, two papier-mache Satans and a walking seashell. But to organizers of East Los Angeles' Day of the Dead celebration, the costumed celebrants were an appropriately colorful tribute to Sister Karen Boccalero, who died of a heart attack in July at 64.

Sister Karen Boccalero, who co-founded Self-Help Graphics in East Los Angeles in 1971, died June 24, apparently of a heart attack. She was 64. Calendar asked a writer and arts administrator for his thoughts on her life's work--building a showcase and training ground for some of the nation's most important Chicano artists. * Reputations travel like good chisme.

Sister Karen Boccalero, who co-founded Self-Help Graphics in East Los Angeles in 1971, died June 24, apparently of a heart attack. She was 64. Calendar asked a writer and arts administrator for his thoughts on her life's work--building a showcase and training ground for some of the nation's most important Chicano artists. * Reputations travel like good chisme.

It was a strange crowd that gathered at Calvary Cemetery on Saturday afternoon to honor the memory of a Franciscan nun who devoted her life to God and to the artists of East Los Angeles. Out on the grassy lawn, there were 12 skeletons, two papier-mache Satans and a walking seashell. But to organizers of East Los Angeles' Day of the Dead celebration, the costumed celebrants were an appropriately colorful tribute to Sister Karen Boccalero, who died of a heart attack in July at 64.

Self Help Graphics, an Eastside community cultural center, will present an open house and fund-raiser on Sunday. The afternoon celebration, from 1-5 p.m., will commemorate the late Sister Karen Boccalero's contributions to the center and offer contemporary limited-edition prints for sale. Proceeds from sales of artworks will go to the nonprofit institution's programs. In addition, artists will demonstrate silk-screen and etching techniques in the center's studios.

Nine women will be recognized for their contributions to the arts in Southern California on Sunday at the seventh annual Vesta Awards sponsored by the Woman's Building. The award winners are Sheila Levrant de Bretteville, design; Linda Mabalot, media; Marian Post Wolcott, visual arts; Lula Washington, dance; Wanda Coleman, writing; Cecile McCann, journalism; Marija Gimbutas, scholarship; and Merry Norris and Sister Karen Boccalero, community support. The noon-3 p.m.

While the article about Sister Karen Boccalero ("In Praise of Art and Dedication," July 1) was good, more can be said to convey the depth and complexity of this extraordinary person. Sister Karen was, above all, a peerless motivator of talent--teaching and inspiring new artists to soar beyond their dreams, to create more and more beautiful work. Her highly regarded Atelier program produced some stunningly wonderful art. She was a reluctant administrator--but managed to do more with less than any nonprofit we've ever known.

Self Help Graphics, an East Los Angeles arts center that has struggled for its life for the last year and recently lost its executive director, has temporarily closed. Leaders of the nonprofit organization say a financial shortfall precipitated the closure and that Self Help will reopen as soon as funding is secured and the administration restructured. "We are optimistic that a number of grants from major funders will be forthcoming," said Oralia Michel, a member of the board of directors.

An almost-full moon hangs over the parking lot of Self-Help Graphics in East Los Angeles. The nonprofit visual-arts center is closed, and the parking lot is dark and empty except for a 15-foot statue of Mexico's patron saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe, that rises from a small corner garden. She seems out of place and out of proportion. But to the women who live next door, she is their caretaker and they, in turn, are hers.

Sister Karen Boccalero, the Franciscan nun who founded Self-Help Graphics in an East Los Angeles garage and turned it into a showcase and training ground for some of the nation's most important Latino artists, died Tuesday. She was 64. A silk-screen artist and painter, Boccalero and a group of Chicano artists founded the center and gallery in 1971. The center provided teaching jobs, studio space and early public exhibitions for such artists as Gronk, Frank Romero, Patssi Valdez and others.

By most standard definitions, art-making is a solitary act, a pact between the artists and their respective muses, undertaken in the privacy of a studio setting. But standards are meant to be stretched and broken, especially in the arts. Aspects of collaboration and diversity create an interesting subtext in "Visions of L.A.," the exhibition of print works at Century Gallery in Sylmar.

FRIDAY MOVIES Baa, baa, bad sheep Hordes of genetically engineered mutton are transformed into ravenous, flesh-eating killers in the New Zealand horror-comedy "Black Sheep," which takes a gentle poke at the Kiwi national identity. Jonathan King directs. "Black Sheep," unrated, opens Friday in selected theaters. CABARET She needs no truth lasso Wonder Woman doing a cabaret act? What will she do if you don't applaud? Toss you out the door?