R.C.A.F. in Mid-Flight: The Artwork and Influence of the Royal Chicano Air Force

January 10 - March 22, 2026

reception: January 10, 5-8pm

artist talk:

R.C.A.F. Mid-Flight: The Artwork and Influence of the Royal Chicano Air Force celebrates the groundbreaking contributions of the Royal Chicano Air Force, a collective of visionary artists who have shaped Chicana/o/x art and culture since the early 1970s. Blending visual media, culture, performance, humor, and activism, the RCAF championed Chicano pride, social justice, and community empowerment. This exhibition honors their artistic influence, showcasing both the original members’ creativity and the work of artists inspired by their legacy.

CURATOR’S STATEMENT

In the exhibition “R.C.A.F. in Mid-Flight: The Artwork and Influence of the Royal Chicano Air Force” we celebrate the groundbreaking contributions of the Royal Chicano Air Force, a collective of visionary artists who, since their inception in the early 1970s, have profoundly shaped the landscape of Chicana/o art and culture. The RCAF took flight as a vibrant force, using their creative talents to challenge societal injustices, promote Chicano cultural pride, and advocate for their community. Their innovative approach to art—blending visual media, performance, humor, and activism—transcended traditional boundaries and ignited a movement that continues to inspire artists today.

This exhibition not only showcases the vibrant artworks of its members but also pays homage to the RCAF’s enduring influence, highlighting the diverse artists who have followed in their footsteps. Each piece reflects the spirit of the RCAF, embodying themes of cultural pride, resistance, and creativity. ” R.C.A.F. in Mid-Flight ” invites viewers to appreciate the creativity of its original members as well as explore how the RCAF’s legacy inspires contemporary artists to reimagine their narratives and challenge societal norms.

As we honor the Royal Chicano Air Force, let us recognize the profound impact they have had on generations of artists, fostering a sense of empowerment and inspiring us to fly into new artistic horizons. This exhibition is a celebration of their journey and a testament to the continuing evolution of Chicana/o art, reminding us that the skies of Aztlán are vast and full of possibilities.

Manuel Fernando Rios, MA, MFA

OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, January 10, 5-8pm

The Verge Art Auction Preview

November 6, 2025

reception: Thursday, November 6, 5-8pm

artist talk:

The arts event of the year is back! Verge Center for the Arts is proud to present our annual Art Auction, a fundraising event that provides art lovers & local collectors an opportunity to acquire original works of fine art, while supporting a non-profit organization and community of artists. The Art Auction will commence with an opening reception showcasing biddable artworks on Thursday, November 6 from 5-8pm. Attendees at the event will have the first look at items available in the auction, and can enjoy light bites and beverages as they plan their bidding strategies. Then the big event will happen Saturday, November 15 from 5-8pm where there will be silent and live auction items ready to go home with the highest bidder, plus catered snacks, craft beverages, live music and an all-around incredible evening! You do not want to miss this — snag your tickets today!

OPENING RECEPTION & PREVIEW: Thursday, November 6, 5-8pm

ART AUCTION: Saturday, November 15, 5-8pm

Sac Open Studios Preview Exhibition

September 11th, 2025 - October 12th, 2025

reception: Thursday, September 11th, 2025, 6pm - 9pm

artist talk:

Come join us to celebrate the opening of the 20th Sac Open Studios! Join us on Thursday, September 11th, at Verge Center for the Arts as we kick off the 2025 Sac Open Studios Tour with the opening of the Preview Show! Meet participating Sac Open Studios artists and supporters, enjoy upbeat jams by a live DJ from Legend Has It, and grab some delicious bites from a local food truck! To keep you cool, stop by the bar and grab a refreshing beverage. Legend Has It will have something for everyone, from wine and cold beer to refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. Plus, we’ll have artist demos by Annie Peony & 90BC Pottery!

The Sac Open Studios Preview Exhibition will feature artworks from participating artists from both tour weekends. In honor of the tour’s 20TH ANNIVERSARY this year, it is being held in the Verge Gallery for an extended showing. This is a great place to find artworks you love and start planning your tour!

This year the tour consists of 265+participating artists. We recommend starting at the Kick Off Party to choose some favorites before planning your route. Many of the artworks in the exhibit are for sale, so you might also find something to add to your personal collection!

HAIL MURRAY! The Bay Area Punk Photography of Murray Bowles, 1982 – 1995

Murray Bowles

Current - August 17, 2025

reception:

artist talk:

Using the recently published, 270 page monograph as its launching point, HAIL MURRAY: Bay Area Punk Photography from 1982 – 1995, showcases the work and life of Bay Area punk photographer Murray Bowles. Though Bowles came to reside in Sacramento at the end of his life, he spent over forty years at the epicenter of what would become a definitive movement for punk music and culture. Bands like Green Day, the Dead Kennedys, Rancid, and Operation Ivy exploded onto the scene through Bowles lens. Bowles’ documentation captured a sensibility that would come to define the Bay Area aesthetic. Most importantly, Bowles existed in the Northern Californian punk community as a friend and enthusiast motivated by the sense of community the scene afforded. Most weekends found Bowles, a self-taught photographer, developing prints in his kitchen immediately following a show so that he could sell them at the next show for $.25 each or published in the seminal, volunteer run magazine Maximumrocknroll. 

A collection of Bowles photographs were as likely to include the audience or a kid getting a stick ‘n poke tattoo as they were a band shot. The photographs depict scenes ranging from University quads and living rooms to iconic locations including Mabuhay Gardens and 924 Gilman. In addition to Bowles’ ability to capture crisp, perfectly exposed shots of stagedivers in low lit clubs and bars, his photos also feature young people lounging on punk house couches and backyards. Bowles’s photographs provide a context for a culture that includes not just the performers, but the friends, fans, and environments that made the scene possible. Most art exists this way but we’re not always so lucky to have an exhaustive archive of not just the performers and their recordings but of the entire moment that made it feel alive.

CLOSING RECEPTION

AUGUST 9TH 6PM

Join us Saturday, August 9th, for a talk with editor Anna Brown & Friends discussing Murray’s work and telling the secret stories of East Bay punk! Anna will present a slideshow of images detailing Murray’s process and legacy as well as describing the efforts involved in bringing the book to life.

Immediately following Anna’s talk Sac favorites The Bananas will play their first local show in two years!

This is a FREE event!

Doors open at 6pm!

The last day to view the exhibition is August 17th.