Foundation Brings Art Kits and Inspiration to Underserved LA Teens
Nearly a year after their 16-year-old daughter, Sami Liber, died in an ATV accident while on vacation in Wyoming, Brentwood parents Rodney and Carla Liber are honoring her legacy by helping other young artists find their voice.
The teenager, remembered as a gifted visual artist and compassionate spirit, died on August 8, 2024. As the first anniversary of her death approaches, her parents say the loss remains devastating, but they’ve found a path forward by establishing the SAMI Foundation in her memory.
“Sami was a bright light to everyone around her. A gifted young artist with a passion for drawing, painting, photography, and music, she left an imprint on everyone she met. Her imagination was boundless, and her heart was open.”
Founded in 2024, the SAMI Foundation is dedicated to supporting under-resourced youth in the arts. The nonprofit provides supplies to art programs in Los Angeles schools, funds scholarships for young creatives, and offers hands-on workshops in photography, visual arts, and design. The foundation’s name stands not only for Sami’s first name but also for “Supporting Artistic Minds through Inspiration.”
“This is just the beginning,” Rodney added. “We want every child with a creative spark to feel seen, supported, and celebrated—just like Sami always made others feel. We’ll never stop missing her, but through this work, her spirit continues to make the world a more beautiful place.”
In just one year, the organization has partnered with several educational and charitable organizations, including the Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production, KIPP Public Charter Schools, United in Harmony, and Baby2Baby.
A signature initiative of the foundation involves distributing curated art kits featuring Sami’s original artwork. Designed in response to recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area, the kits are aimed at providing children with a creative outlet in the wake of trauma. Students at Altadena Arts Magnet School were among the first to receive the kits.
