CORITA DAY 2024: Afternoon Program – feat. Art Activities & Book Reading

The Philosophical Research Society welcomes Corita Art Center for a family-friendly day of art making, readings and conversation, performance and film screenings, an art exhibition and holiday pop-up shop – all in celebration of the legacy of one of Los Angeles’ most legendary artists: once known as the “Pop Art nun,” the beloved educator, social justice advocate, and “joyous revolutionary,” the great Corita Kent!

Corita Art Center (CAC) and The Philosophical Research Society (PRS) are proud to present this year’s Corita Day celebration. Taking our cue from the ten rules — “there should be new rules next week”— we’ve taken a different approach to this year’s celebration and joined forces to present an afternoon and an evening program.

A daylong celebration, CAC will first present a FREE afternoon of Corita-inspired arts activities for the whole family, including a book launch and a reading by author Dan Paley from his new children’s book Love Is Hard Work: The Art and Heart of Corita Kent. Throughout the day and evening, original Corita inspired artworks will be on display around the PRS campus – a one-day exhibition of creative responses to Corita’s legacy, featuring Los Angeles-based artists, designers, and makers selected by PRS contributing artist .

In the evening, Corita Day will culminate in featuring a performance by Mandy Kahn and friends, a panel conversation with Corita Day 2024’s 14 contributing artists, and screenings of rarely-seen historic Corita films by Thomas Conrad and Baylis Glascock – gorgeous, vintage shorts which capture the electrifying and inspiring Corita at work and in action!

AFTERNOON

3:00pm to 6:00 p.m (FREE ADMISSION WITH RSVP)

Family art-making sessions: dive into hands-on art-making activities that welcome participants of all ages to explore their creativity, just as Corita encouraged in her own work. It's a perfect way to create lasting memories with family and friends.

Holiday pop-up shop: discover unique, Corita-inspired gifts for the holiday season, including rare items not found in our online shop. This thoughtfully curated merchandise embodies Corita’s spirit of love, hope, and creativity.

A creative celebration of Corita’s legacy: explore the PRS campus for a one-day-only exhibition of artistic responses to Corita’s legacy, commissioned by Los Angeles-based poet and PRS contributing writer Mandy Kahn!

Book launch and reading: at 5 p.m., author will read from his new book Love Is Hard Work: The Art and Heart of Corita Kent.

EVENING

7:00pm to 9:00 p.m. (Ticketed Event – $10.00)

Join us for a seated program in the PRS auditorium. We’ll screen iconic short films that showcase Corita at work, and host a discussion with fourteen present-day artists whose creative process has been inspired by Corita’s methods (and whose original Corita-inspired works will be exhibited around PRS’ campus throughout the day) .

This evening program will include:

• Film Screenings: Experience the magic of historic films by Baylis Glascock and Thomas Conrad, which capture Corita’s vibrant life and work. These screenings offer a rare glimpse into Corita’s time as director of the art program at Immaculate Heart College, revealing her joyful spirit and innovative approach.

Featuring:

MARY’S DAY – 1964, 24min, dir. Baylis Glascock

ALLELUIA – 1967, 23min, dir. Thomas Conrad

WE HAVE NO ART – 1967, 26min, dir. Baylis Glascock

• Live Performance and Conversation: The evening program will begin with a performance of Mandy Kahn’s Corita-themed poetry piece for multiple voices, which is inspired by a teaching prompt that Corita gave her students during her time as head of the Immaculate Heart College art department.

Kahn will then be joined onstage by the other thirteen Los Angeles-based creatives, who will present what they created for Corita Day and discuss Corita’s enduring influence.

Contributors:

Jessica Ceballos

Edgar Fabián Frías

Mandy Kahn

Le Fawnhawk

David Rager

Hamish Robertson

Aaron Rose

Jess Rotter

Robbie Simon

Linnéa Gabriella Spransy

Andrew Theodore

Lani Trock

Megan Whitmarsh

Senon Williams

ABOUT CORITA KENT

Corita Kent (1918–1986) was an artist, educator, and advocate for social justice. At age 18 she entered the religious order Immaculate Heart of Mary, eventually teaching and then heading the art department at Immaculate Heart College. During the course of her career, her artwork evolved from using figurative and religious imagery to incorporating advertising images and slogans, popular song lyrics, biblical verses, and literature. Throughout the ‘60s, her work became increasingly political, urging viewers to consider poverty, racism, and social injustice. In 1968, she left the order and moved to Boston. After 1970, her work evolved into a sparser, introspective style, influenced by living in a new environment, a secular life, and her battles with cancer. She remained active in social causes until her death in 1986. At the time of her death, she had created almost 800 serigraph editions, thousands of watercolors, and innumerable public and private commissions.

Corita was celebrated in her time and remains beloved by today’s generations of artists and educators for her exuberant art, innovative teaching methods, and messages of social justice. Her work—rebellious, yet hopeful, remains powerfully relevant to this day. For this reason, Corita’s legacy is celebrated annually on her birthday, November 20th, with Corita Day, a day of commemoration officially established in 2019 by the City and County of Los Angeles.

Please email [email protected] or phone 323-663-2167 with any questions.

ACCESSIBILITY

PRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to [email protected] before showtime and we will be happy to assist you.

REFUND POLICIES

All sales are final. There are no refunds for PRS events , except in the event of a medical emergency, including but not limited to a positive COVID-19 test. Ticket exchanges may be granted on a case by case basis, pending circumstances.

In the event that PRS is forced to cancel an event entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers offered for a rescheduled event.

PARKING

Limited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east) and back lot (entry from first alley way, off Griffith Park Blvd. from intersection with Los Feliz Blvd.), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking.

PRS EVENT POLICIES

• We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.
• Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.
• We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.
• Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.
• No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.
• There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.
• We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
• PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.
• Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.
• Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.

Host or Publisher The Philosophical Research Society