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Photo by Neil Kagerer

La Raza Art and Media Collective

1975 – Today
Curated by Dave Choberka, Mellon Foundation Curator for University Learning & Félix Zamora Gómez, Program Coordinator for Engagement, U-M Arts Initiative
Dec 7, 2024 — July 20, 2025
Irving Stenn, Jr. Family Gallery

Three Generations of Latinx Artists at U-M

During the fervent years of the 1970s at the University of Michigan, a pioneering group of Latina/o students formed La Raza Art and Media Collective. Through self-organized exhibitions, cultural gatherings, and its journal, the collective gathered artists, art historians, poets, and journalists to voice the cultural and political expression of Chicano, Hispanic, and Latin American communities on campus and beyond.

This exhibition revisits the 50th anniversary of the foundation of RAM Collective to reflect on the profound impact of these visionary creators by presenting the four original issues of its multimedia journal produced between 1976 and 1977. The journals are exhibited for the first time accompanied by their galley proofs and original artwork preserved at U-M’s Bentley Historical Library. To highlight the multigenerational links between RAM Collective and today, the journals are framed by original art commissions from three generations of Latinx alumni artists from the U-M Stamps School of Art and Design—George Vargas, Nicole Marroquin, and Michelle Hinojosa.

This exhibition explores the vital contributions of Latinx artists to Michigan’s cultural landscape and the legacy these important historical works have had on campus and beyond.

Related Events

David Choberka and Artist Nicole Maroquin in conversation beside a display case in an art gallery with large, colorful geometric patterns visible through the windows.
Exhibition Tour — La Raza Art and Media Collective with Curator David Choberka
Irving Stenn, Jr. Family Gallery
Sun, Dec 15, 2024 2:00pm–3:00pm
Exhibition Opening Event – La Raza Art & Media Collective
Irving Stenn, Jr. Family Gallery
Sat, Dec 7, 2024 1:00pm–5:00pm

Exhibition Commissions

A vibrant mural by artist George Vargas featuring a variety of colorful, abstract and cultural elements, including stylized animals and patterns, displayed in a gallery with green walls.
Photo by Neil Kagerer

George Vargas

George Vargas is a founding member of the RAM Collective, artist, and scholar of Chicano art history. For this exhibition, Vargas will paint a mural directly on the gallery wall that will reflect on the historical cycles of migration of Chicanos to “Aztlán del Norte”. The mural reimagines the mythical place of origin of the Mexica to draw attention to the continuous impact of Chicano culture in North America.

Three framed posters with vibrant designs displayed against a wall covered in various black and white graphic prints. The posters feature bold text and illustrations in pink, green, and yellow tones. A ceramic "witch" placed next to them by Artist Nicole Marroquin.
Photo by Neil Kagerer

Nicole Marroquin

Nicole Marroquin is an artist, researcher, and professor at UofM’s Stamps School of Arts and Design. For this exhibition, Marroquin will intervene archival materials from UofM’s Bentley Library in various prints and wallpaper. Through research and creative practice, she aims to recover and re-present the histories of Black and brown youth and women’s leadership in the struggle for justice.

A window art instillation in the exhibition, 'La Raza & Media Collective'
Photo by Prentiss Corbin

Michelle Hinojosa

Michelle Hinojosa graduated with an MFA from Stamps in 2023. Most recently, she was a resident at UofM’s Arts Initiative Creative Career Residency. For this exhibition, Hinojosa will interweave the gallery’s glass with translucent designs inspired by traditional weaving techniques from across Central and South America. Hinojosa’s work will enhance the immersive experience of the exhibition and extend it to the outside world.

R.A.M. Collective Journal

On display for the first time in this exhibition with their galley proofs will be four original issues of the La Raza Art and Media Collective Journal produced between 1976 and 1977.

Cover page from a printed zine journal
La Raza Arts & Media Collective
Cover page from a printed zine journal
Pages from a printed zine journal
La Raza Arts & Media Collective
Pages from a printed zine journal
Pages from a printed zine journal
La Raza Arts & Media Collective
Pages from a printed zine journal
Pages from a printed zine journal
La Raza Arts & Media Collective
Pages from a printed zine journal
Pages from a printed zine journal
La Raza Arts & Media Collective
Pages from a printed zine journal

SUPPORT

Support for La Raza Art and Media Collective is provided by the U-M Office of the Provost, the U-M Arts Initiative, Susan and Richard Gutow, the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, The Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, and the U-M Bentley Historical Library.