About Stay Arts
Who we are
Stay Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to broadening arts access and representation through high-quality arts education, community-led art programs, and impactful public art projects. Our mission is to engage, inspire, and empower local artists, youth, and families through the transformative power of the arts, design, creative exploration, and cultural expression.
What we do
We create welcoming spaces and meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to engage with the arts. Rooted in Southeast Los Angeles, our programs have provided arts education to thousands of students and supported local artists through exhibitions, commissions, and creative opportunities. Grounded in social-emotional learning, cultural relevance, and process-based artmaking, our work strengthens cultural identity and amplifies the creative contributions of our region across Los Angeles and beyond.
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We provide high-quality visual and performing arts education in partnership with schools across the region, youth classes at Stay Studio, and mentorship opportunities for young artists. Our programs build confidence, promote mental and emotional wellbeing, and nurture a lifelong relationship with the arts, while helping to integrate creative expression into the fabric of daily life.
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We collaborate with organizations to design and produce murals, art installations, and custom creative projects that enrich and transform public spaces. As a bridge between artists and large-scale opportunities, we prioritize representation and fair compensation that ensures artists are valued and reflected in the cultural landscape.
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Our community programs inspire creativity and connection at Stay Studio and throughout the region. Rooted in the grassroots spirit that Stay Arts was founded on, these programs reflect our deep responsiveness to community needs. Through exhibitions, art markets, public events, and interactive experiences, we create accessible ways for people of all ages to engage with the arts and celebrate local creativity.
Stay Studio
Stay Studio is our dedicated creative space in Downtown Downey. We host weekly art classes for youth and adults, public programs like Paint & Sip and Family Paint Day, and select exhibitions and workshops throughout the year. Over the years, Stay Studio has become a cultural anchor in Southeast LA, a creative home for artists, students, and families alike. It serves as a welcoming hub for hands-on learning, artistic exploration, and meaningful community connection.













Our impact
Stay Arts emerged from a need for accessible arts programs, spaces, and resources in Southeast Los Angeles. For over a decade, we have supported hundreds of local artists, provided high-quality arts education to thousands of students and families, and created public art projects and community events with our local partners.
Our professional services – including mural production, art installations, and custom art programs – sustain our youth arts programs and public art initiatives across the region. By providing meaningful opportunities and fair compensation to local artists, we help ensure that creativity thrives wherever we work.
Since 2012, we have:
Represented
800+
Local and emerging artists
Produced
500+
free and low-cost exhibitions,
classes, and events
Served
15,000+
youth through our
arts education programs
Our Team
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Gabriel Enamorado
Executive Director & Co-Founder
See bio -
Juliana Canty
Programs Director
See bio -
Amy Doyo
Teaching Artist
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Carrie Molinaro
Teaching Artist
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cindy macias
Teaching Artist
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Daisy Velasco
Teaching Artist
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Isis Gomez
Teaching Artist
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Julia Vartan
Teaching Artist
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Mike Alcala
Teaching Artist
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Sofia Carrillo
Teaching Artist
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Yaileen Zamora
Teaching Artist
Board of Directors
George Manzanilla
Chairman
Luz Lluncor
Treasurer
Emely Martinez
Secretary
Barney Santos
Board Member
Valentin Flores
Board Member, Co-Founder
Community Partners
ArtsForLA
Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco
Avenue Press
BLVD MRKT
California Arts Council
California Senator Bob Archuleta
CalOSBA
CalNonprofits
City of Downey
Congressman Robert Garcia
Downey Arts Coalition (DAC)
Downey Chamber of Commerce
The Downey Conservancy
Downey Coordinating Council
Downey Council PTA
Downey Federal Credit Union (DFCU)
Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities
Downey GOOD
Downey Historical Society
Downey Kiwanis
Downey Patriot
Downey Rose Float Association
Downey Rotary
Downey Theatre
Downey Unified School District (DUSD)
Downtown Downey Improvement Association
Eastside Arts Initiative
Ecuamex Café
Ellen & Clarence Peterson Foundation
Exchange Club Family Support Center
Here LA
Home Field Advantage (HFA)
Kaiser Permanente
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes
L.A. County Department of Arts & Culture
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn
Mary Stauffer Foundation
New World Mortgage
Odyssey STEM Academy
Open Walls
PIH Health
Poached Kitchen
Porto’s Bakery
Rancho Los Amigos
River In Action (RIA)
SELA Art Center
SELA Artists Guild
SELA Arts Festival
SELACO Workforce Development Board
South Gate Museum & Art Gallery
TLC Family Resource Center
Woodruff Academy
10-20 Club