“Radical Histories” at The Huntington

Date/Time
Date(s) - 03/01/2026
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Category(ies)

• Arts
• Galleries

(Photos – huntington.org)

Experience Radical Histories: Chicano Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the first-ever West Coast presentation of this powerful and vibrant exhibition.

On loan from the Smithsonian, this collection of 60 bold prints by 40+ artists and collectives chronicles over six decades of Chicano printmaking. Spanning from the late 1960s to today, the works highlight how Chicano artists have used printmaking as a tool for resistance, cultural reclamation, and community building.

The exhibition’s five thematic sections, “Together We Fight,” “¡Guerra No!” (No War!), “Violent Divisions,” “Rethinking América,” and “Changemakers,”  reflect pivotal moments in Chicano history, including the iconic Delano Grape Strike and the formation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union. From silkscreens to posters, these striking works often use biting humor and vibrant color to confront injustice and affirm cultural identity.

A unique feature of this Huntington presentation is a newly commissioned mural by Los Angeles–based artist Melissa Govea (Purépecha), created in collaboration with Self Help Graphics & Art, the legendary East Los Angeles print studio that has supported Chicano and Latino artists since 1973. Govea’s mural bridges the history of Chicano activism with contemporary movements, offering a powerful visual dialogue.

Exhibit Highlights:

• 60+ Prints by 40+ Artists:
  Discover iconic works by influential Chicano artists.
• Commissioned Mural:
  View a site-specific mural by Melissa Govea that brings the themes of the exhibition into the present day.
• Five Thematic Sections:
  Explore themes like cultural identity, resistance, and activism through vibrant printmaking.

Public Programs

In addition to the exhibition, The Huntington will host a variety of public programs, including a two-day conference on December 5–6, 2025, that will explore the themes of the exhibition and showcase the Huntington’s rich collections in graphic arts, works on paper, Hispanic history, and California history.

> Reserve tickets at this link.