“If you are near Sacramento this month be sure to check out this exhibition at The Crocker Art Museum,
there's still time!” -RQ
there's still time!” -RQ
"Rebels with La Causa" explores the expansive production and creative impact of the Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF), one of the Chicano Movement’s most prolific and impactful artist collectives.
Beginning in 1970 at Sacramento State, the group produced individual artworks and group murals, as well as posters for educational, cultural, and political activities.
The RCAF’s transformation into a broader collective not only initiated an explosion of Chicano art exhibitions, literary events, performances, and community celebrations, but expanded civic and political engagement.
While RCAF posters served as announcements for these wide-ranging activities, their multicultural aesthetics, subject matter, and strategic humor redefined Chicana/o art, as well as the history of art and activism in the United States.
This dynamic exhibition explores the seminal first two decades of work by the Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF), Sacramento’s influential multidisciplinary Chicano art collective that revolutionized the graphic arts and harnessed printmaking as a political tool.
Blurring the boundaries between statement, announcement, and art print, RCAF prints and posters were not only works of art but vehicles for activism, community building, and cultural affirmation.
Beginning in 1970 at Sacramento State, the group produced individual artworks and group murals, as well as posters for educational, cultural, and political activities.
The RCAF’s transformation into a broader collective not only initiated an explosion of Chicano art exhibitions, literary events, performances, and community celebrations, but expanded civic and political engagement.
While RCAF posters served as announcements for these wide-ranging activities, their multicultural aesthetics, subject matter, and strategic humor redefined Chicana/o art, as well as the history of art and activism in the United States.
This dynamic exhibition explores the seminal first two decades of work by the Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF), Sacramento’s influential multidisciplinary Chicano art collective that revolutionized the graphic arts and harnessed printmaking as a political tool.
Blurring the boundaries between statement, announcement, and art print, RCAF prints and posters were not only works of art but vehicles for activism, community building, and cultural affirmation.
"Rebels With La Causa” offers an artistic survey of the range of aesthetics embodied by the RCAF as well as their mastery of screen-printing techniques and experimentation within graphic arts overall. The joining of bicultural (Mexican and American) aesthetics, iconography, and strategic incorporation of subversive humor refuted definitions of Chicana/o art as solely political, ‘ethnic,’ or folk art," observes Terezita Romo, guest curator for the show.
The catalyst for the RCAF was the arrival of artists and educators José Montoya and Esteban Villa at Sacramento State in 1969. More than professional artists, Montoya and Villa were deeply committed activists and community builders who became magnets for Chicana/o art students and independent artists.
Their vision fostered a diverse collective that included artists, writers, musicians, dancers, actors, and community organizers across generations and genders. Originally known as the Rebel Chicano Art Front, the group later adopted the name Royal Chicano Air Force and military regalia after their initials were mistaken for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
As Montoya explained, the name and dress reflected both seriousness and satire; “air force” and “air farce,” manifesting an irony and self-awareness integral to the work.
The Crocker's presentation is one of many activations included in InFormation, a regional celebration of the RCAF organized by La Raza Galeria Posada.
Ricardo Favela (American, 1944–2007), El Centro de Artistas Chicanos, 1975. Screenprint, 22 1⁄4 x 16 in. RCAFavela Collection. © Estate of Ricardo Favela.
Beginning in January and running through June 2026,
fifteen art and literary organizations, including museums, galleries, library, and cultural centers in Sacramento, Roseville, Davis, and Woodland will present RCAF related exhibitions, artist panels, symposia, workshops, poetry readings, and film screenings.
The exhibition will highlight 95 posters created for the artistic, cultural, and spiritual activities organized by the larger RCAF collective from 1970–1990.
It will also feature photographs, ephemera, and videos related to the collective’s artistic production, community engagement, and political activism.
The exhibition's iconic posters, while serving as event announcements of the collective’s activities, also reflect the role of the RCAF artists’ aesthetics experimentation and technical innovations within Chicana/o art history
and American graphic arts.
fifteen art and literary organizations, including museums, galleries, library, and cultural centers in Sacramento, Roseville, Davis, and Woodland will present RCAF related exhibitions, artist panels, symposia, workshops, poetry readings, and film screenings.
The exhibition will highlight 95 posters created for the artistic, cultural, and spiritual activities organized by the larger RCAF collective from 1970–1990.
It will also feature photographs, ephemera, and videos related to the collective’s artistic production, community engagement, and political activism.
The exhibition's iconic posters, while serving as event announcements of the collective’s activities, also reflect the role of the RCAF artists’ aesthetics experimentation and technical innovations within Chicana/o art history
and American graphic arts.
In 1973, the establishment of the Centro de Artistas Chicanos and the collective’s incorporation as a nonprofit expanded the RCAF’s reach and led to a flourishing of activity throughout Sacramento’s Chicano/a scene.
Their work extended into public art, education, and direct community services, including La Raza Bookstore (now La Raza Galería Posada) and the Breakfast for Niños program.
Through the Cultural Affairs Committee, the collective not only coordinated but also initiated cultural events, exhibitions, performances, and civic engagement.
The RCAF also maintained steadfast support for the United Farm Workers (UFW), a movement important to many members and their families. RCAF involvement included organizing, walking picket lines, and producing posters, flags, and lawn signs that helped bring Chicano labor and civil rights issues to the forefront of national awareness.
Over five decades later, the RCAF’s graphics continue to resonate for their visual innovation, creation of new cultural symbols, and foundational role of Chicana/o art within the broader history of art in the United States and beyond.
Operating primarily in the public sphere, RCAF artists informed, empowered, and educated communities while embedding art within everyday life.
Their work extended into public art, education, and direct community services, including La Raza Bookstore (now La Raza Galería Posada) and the Breakfast for Niños program.
Through the Cultural Affairs Committee, the collective not only coordinated but also initiated cultural events, exhibitions, performances, and civic engagement.
The RCAF also maintained steadfast support for the United Farm Workers (UFW), a movement important to many members and their families. RCAF involvement included organizing, walking picket lines, and producing posters, flags, and lawn signs that helped bring Chicano labor and civil rights issues to the forefront of national awareness.
Over five decades later, the RCAF’s graphics continue to resonate for their visual innovation, creation of new cultural symbols, and foundational role of Chicana/o art within the broader history of art in the United States and beyond.
Operating primarily in the public sphere, RCAF artists informed, empowered, and educated communities while embedding art within everyday life.
Accompanying the exhibition is an immersive interpretive space recreating an RCAF print studio.
Attendees may explore a full-size screen-printing press and learn more about the collaborative process of printmaking.
A lavishly illustrated catalogue,
Rebels with La Causa:
Royal Chicano Air Force Art and Activism,
1970–1990,
is available for purchase in the Crocker Museum Store.
The exhibition is guest curated by Terezita Romo and managed by professor, Mariah Briel, former Crocker Curatorial Projects Manager. Exhibition artwork is sourced from, RCAF artists and families, other private collections, and library archives.
Attendees may explore a full-size screen-printing press and learn more about the collaborative process of printmaking.
A lavishly illustrated catalogue,
Rebels with La Causa:
Royal Chicano Air Force Art and Activism,
1970–1990,
is available for purchase in the Crocker Museum Store.
The exhibition is guest curated by Terezita Romo and managed by professor, Mariah Briel, former Crocker Curatorial Projects Manager. Exhibition artwork is sourced from, RCAF artists and families, other private collections, and library archives.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0-e3FhH96ME?app=desktop
untitled mural (Chicano Royal Air Force Communication Squadren)
Graffiti mural by
Gilbert “Magu” Luján
in collaboration with the
Royal Chicano Airforce, circa. 1970s. California, United States.
[Magulandia Archive document 000565]
Gilbert “Magu” Luján
in collaboration with the
Royal Chicano Airforce, circa. 1970s. California, United States.
[Magulandia Archive document 000565]
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