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.