About
“You Can Be Broke and Self-Care” is The Strange is Beautiful’s photo and interview project featuring 13 people in LA with mind obstacles (that’s what we call mental illnesses) practicing alternative self-care in their home or space.
Expect to see polaroids, digital prints, 1-4 quotes of each of the 13 people interviewed, 3-5 journal prompts for each one, and self-care community events.
Visit it between September 21 and September 26 at Nous Tous Community Gallery for $5-$30 sliding scale donations (donate only if you’re able). Donations go to The Strange is Beautiful.
Purpose
Our intention is to show that self-care doesn’t require spending a lot of money, or wearing expensive clothes. It is a rebellion against capitalism and societal expectations that productivity always has to be making or spending money.
When can I visit?
The exhibit is open during our self-care events on Sept 21, 22 and 26 (see schedule below). It is also open Sept 24 from 6pm-9pm. To schedule daytime school or group visits please email strangeisbeauty@gmail.com.
About the Events, Volunteer/Resource Submissions and FAQ
Click to skip ahead!
1. About the Events
2. Volunteer Form
3. Submit Yourself or Organization for our Mental Health Resource List
4. FAQs
About the Events
Saturday, September 21, 2019
4:30pm – 7pm Self-Care Gift Exchange (MUST RSVP TO PARTICIPATE)
We had an online anonymous Self-Care Gift Exchange back in 2016 (see photos of it here). Now we’re having another one, but this time in-person! Please RSVP to participate, and we will send you instructions for it.
7pm – 10pm Self-Care Open Mic
In collaboration with As Told By You (astoldbyyou) and Existimos (@existimos.co), this is a mental illness mind obstacles specific open mic. Come talk about your experience with depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, and other mind obstacles through poetry, art, music, journal reading, etc.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Meetup for Local Healers
Casual brunch meet up for Los Angeles’s local healers and witches to meet and find community! Calling all yoga instructors, energy healers, acupuncturists, herbalists, massage therapists, Ayurveda practitioners, naturopaths, art/music/dance therapists and other alternative or indigenous practices.
1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet Your Local Healer
Have you been interested in seeing a healer but don’t know where to find one? Personally meet your local yoga instructors, energy healers, acupuncturists, herbalists, massage therapists, Ayurveda practitioners, naturopaths, art/music/dance therapists and other alternative or indigenous practices.
We encourage you to have questions ready to ask them, and we’ll have some suggestions of questions as well. If you’d like some beginning information on healers, look through our blog TheStrangeisBeautiful.com.
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Talking Circle: Share Your Self-Care
We interviewed 13 people in LA about the self-care they practice. Now we want to hear from you! Share your self-care practice in a safe space so we as a community can heal collectively.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
7pm – 10pm Self-Love Date Night
We had a Self-Love Date Night a year ago (see photos here), and we’re having another one! Come dance with Chulita Vinyl Club (chulitavinylclub), therapeutic dance with The Black Girl Healing Project (bghproject), and take self-love photos with Xipi~Teca (xipi.teca).
When else is the exhibit open?
Besides the events, the exhibit will be open Sept 23-25 6pm-10pm. To schedule a daytime school visit please email strangeisbeauty@gmail.com.
How can I volunteer?
We need volunteers! Any and all help is greatly accepted. Below is the form.
How can I submit to your Mental Health Resource List?
Submit yourself, your organization, or a resource you love below! We’re looking for all types of mental health resources in LA or that are accessible online. This includes healers, art/music/dance/poetry therapy or spaces, therapy, support groups, classes, and more.
FAQs
How did we pick the 13 people featured in the exhibit?
We received submissions through a Google Form shared on Instagram and posted on our blog TheStrangeisBeautiful.com. From those submissions we chose a wide range in ages, from 14-37, as well as in body types, ethnicities, identities, mind obstacles, and all different self-care practices.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Email Shannen at strangeisbeauty@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @thestrangeisbeautiful
How do I get there by bus or metro?
Nous Tous is directly inside ChinaTown Plaza, to the right of BurgerLords. To get there you can take the metro red line to Union Station, and then the Metro Rail Gold Line toward Azusa/Citrus, exit at Chinatown. From there it is about a 5 minute walk.
The Google Maps app can help you find bus and metro schedules directly from your location.
Where do I park?
Street parking.
Is there wheelchair access?
Yes!
Is there a bathroom at the exhibit space (Nous Tous)?
Yes!
Is there a fee to get in?
$5-$30 sliding scale donations (donate only if you’re able). Donations go to The Strange is Beautiful to cover the cost of the exhibit, and for future self-care events and offerings.
Front flyer artwork by Manuela Guillén. Follow her Instagram: @lazy.beam.
