About Carla
Artist. Advocate. Visionary.
Carla Sramek embodies creativity with purpose, integrating her artistic vision with advocacy, inclusion, and faith. Based in Southern California, Carla’s artistic journey began with a passion for drawing, painting, and ceramics—and evolved to embrace filmmaking, costume design, and visual storytelling rooted in social impact.
She studied at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where she earned recognition through solo and group exhibitions. Her artwork has been featured at spaces like the Huntington Beach Art Center and diPiazza’s in Long Beach. Carla’s work goes beyond canvas—it has been presented in classrooms, community events, and inclusive stages around the world.
Timeline
Creative with a Cause
Carla expresses her advocacy through paint, stage, and story. Whether she’s designing costumes for children’s theater, exhibiting visual work, or mentoring new creators, her goal remains the same: to uplift unheard voices and challenge what’s possible through art. Her creations are deeply rooted in personal experience, often reflecting the intersection of disability, inclusion, and resilience.
Grounded in Faith and Purpose
In 2011, Carla’s passion for creating inclusive spaces culminated in the founding of Carla’s Movie Restaurant (CMR)—a unique platform where emerging artists and filmmakers could intersect and share their stories with the community. Celebrated as the “Emerging Arts Organization” by the Arts Council for Long Beach in 2014, CMR evolved into a nonprofit in 2018, dedicated to nurturing creativity and accessibility for artists of all abilities.
The Story Behind the Change
The Cage of the Different People, written by renowned poet and professor Benjamin Valdivia and illustrated by Andrea K. Gabriel, is a children’s story rooted in Carla’s personal experience. The book was inspired by her historic inclusion in a regular third-grade classroom — with the story’s hero based on her real-life brother, Alex.
Used by LA Unified School District and teacher preparation programs, this picture book has helped train educators in inclusive practices. It’s more than a children’s story — it’s a celebrated tool for all ages, for empathy, understanding, and the power of belonging.
Available on Amazon, this collaboration reflects Carla’s lifelong commitment to inclusion, art, and community.
Sharing the Vision
Carla’s published works, including Microenterprise Hits the Big Screen and The Cage of the Different People, share her vision for empowerment and inclusion. These books serve as resources and inspiration for individuals with disabilities and the educators, friends, and families who support them. Available on Amazon, they offer a lens into the heart of Carla’s work and her team’s lifelong mission.
The Why Behind It All
Carla’s story is proof of what’s possible when someone is surrounded by support—family, friends, teachers, faith, and community. Her website isn’t just a portfolio. It’s a testimony. Through creativity, advocacy, and belief, she continues to show what can be achieved when barriers are removed and stories are given space to shine. Let her journey inspire yours.