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Graphic Resistance
Seven Decades of California Posters for Peace & Justice
CSPG's 2026 exhibition, Graphic Resistance, features posters that exemplify how art is central to political organizing. It features protest posters produced in California over seven decades, from the 1950s to the present. They highlight local and international issues and events, including wars, climate change, labor, racism, sexism, immigration, homophobia, and homelessness. And while most of the posters chronicle historical events, they continue to be relevant today.
On view @
SANTA MONICA AIRPORT ARTS CENTER STUDIOS 3026
3026 Airport Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Open Thursday - Sunday \ 12PM - 5PM
AUG 7-SEPT 7,2026
While California frequently captures public imagination and headlines, the focus is primarily on the eccentric or flashy. But California’s trend-setting role transcends the dominant corporate culture, and in addition to national and international issues, these posters feature some of the transformative events and movements that originated here.
The United States is preparing to celebrate its 250th anniversary at arguably the most dangerous time in history—climate change threatens to destroy life as we know it, and the threat of nuclear war is being raised around Ukraine and the Middle East. Our own democracy is under attack and misinformation is rampant. If there were ever a time to support humanitarian and activist thinking, it is now.
Graphic Resistance shows how California artists have been at the forefront of many struggles for over 70 years, using the power of posters to educate, organize, and inspire people to take action.
Events
Reception Party at Studios 3026
Join us in celebrating the work of Carol Wells and the Center for the Study of Political Graphics at the reception for Graphic Resistance: Seven Decades of California Posters for Peace & Justice
at Santa Monica Studios 3026 at the Airport Arts Center. This event is free and open to the public.
Studios 3026
3026 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
August 22 | 5 - 8 PM
Poster Making Workshop
Get inspired by CSPG's Graphic Resistance exhibition & create your
own protest poster with renowned
Los Angeles artist Barbara Carrasco!
All materials provided. This workshop is free and open to the public. RSVP required.
Studios 3026
3026 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
August 29 | 2 - 4 PM
Themes
Dig deeper into the exhibition's themes with the annotations
Introduction
Introducción
No Human Being is Illegal
Ningún Ser Humano es Ilegal
Fossil Fools
Combustibles Fósiles (Tontos)
Women's Rights Are Human Rights
Los Derechos de las Mujeres son Derechos Humanos
Health Justice for Workers, Health Justice for All!
¡Justicia Sanitaria para los Trabajadores, Justicia Sanitaria para Todos!
Racism & Resistance
Racismo y Resistencia
International Solidarity
Solidaridad Internacional
Out of the Closet, into the Streets!
¡Fuera del Armario, a la Calle!
Housing for People, Not Profit
Viviendas para las personas, no para
el lucro
American Dream?
¿El Sueño Americano?
Past Events
California
Dreamin'
A virtual conversation with artists & activists Carlos Callejo, Nancy Hom, Nalleli Cobo & Carol Wells.
Via Zoom
May 28 | 4 PM
Exhibition Tour
Get a closer look at the posters in the exhibition on a guided tour with Archives Director Emily Sulzer.
Mercado La Paloma
3655 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90007
June 6 | 10 AM
Printmaking Workshop
Led by Teaching Artist Ernesto Vazquez
Space is limited
Mercado La Paloma
3655 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90007
June 6 | 1 - 4 PM