Solo art exhibition, Rudy Ramirez: A retrospective, 1969-present

*“Rudy C. Ramirez: A Retrospective, 1969–The Present” runs from January 17 to April 12, 2026, at SBCM.*

Spanning more than 50 years of creative exploration, Rudy C. Ramirez: A Retrospective, 1969 –The Present invites visitors into the world of local Latino artist Rudy C. Ramirez, a Vietnam veteran and lifelong creative rooted in the greater San Bernardino County region.

On view at the San Bernardino County Museum from Jan. 17 through April 12, this exhibition marks the first comprehensive retrospective of Ramirez’s work. Featuring over 70 unique pieces, the exhibition offers visitors a snapshot of a prolific and versatile career shaped by personal history, cultural identity, military service and a deep commitment to the artistic community.

Curated in collaboration with Ramirez’s daughter, Annette Ramirez; granddaughter, Carina Lizarde; and museum educator and family friend, Erica Watkins, the exhibition invites visitors into the artist’s world. Ramirez’s work spans a wide range of styles and media, reflecting a practice grounded in experimentation rather than a single artistic approach. Throughout the galleries, visitors will encounter works that explore themes of war, life and death, contemporary issues and Chicano cultural identity.

Fun things to look for when you visit:

Notice how Ramirez moves between different styles and materials—no two sections of the exhibition look quite the same.

Look for works influenced by his time as a sign painter and illustrator for the U.S. Air Force, where precision, lettering and design played a daily role in his creative life.

Pay attention to the strong sense of community threaded throughout the exhibition, from mentor influences during his college years to his long leadership role with the Inland Empire Latino Art Association.

Explore how art becomes a family tradition—this retrospective spans not only decades of work, but generations of creativity.

Rudy C. Ramirez: A Retrospective, 1969–The Present offers visitors an opportunity to slow down, look closely and experience how art can serve to heal, preserve memory, expand expression and instill a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Additional County Update News – January 15