Guide to the Leo Limon Papers
CEMA 95
Finding aid prepared by Callie Bowdish and CEMA staff
University of California, Santa Barbara, Davidson Library, Department of Special Collections, California Ethnic and Multicultural
Archives
Santa Barbara, California, 93106-9010
(805) 893-8563
cema@library.ucsb.edu
July 2009
Title: Leo Limon Papers
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 95
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Santa Barbara, Davidson Library, Department of Special Collections, California Ethnic and Multicultural
Archives
Language of Material: English
Physical Description:
2.0 linear feet
Date (bulk): Bulk, 1997- 2008
Date (inclusive): 1975- 2008
Abstract: The Leo Limon Papers spans from 1971 to 2008. The collection contains correspondence, documents concerning various Los Angeles-area
events, and a photo album that holds both professional and personal photographs that cover the past thirty years. Limon, one
of the most distinguished artists of the Chicano Art Movement, is both an important artist and prominent community activist.
General Physical Description note: One document box, one binder box photo album, and one oversize folder and two posters.
Use Restrictions
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
Conditions Governing Access note
none
Biographical/Historial note
Over the years, Leo Limon has earned recognition and accolades from his peers and colleagues throughout the professional art
world, and he has enjoyed widespread popularity with the community as a leader and role model. His activities date back to
the very formative years of the Chicano Art Movement, and over that time, his work has reflected the vision, aspirations and
images of his surroundings and roots. Leo has always been a cultural worker and an arts ambassador for East L.A. and the Chicano
community. In the early years he was very influenced and involved with the art group Los Four and worked with Carlos Almaraz,
the MeChicano Art Center, Plaza de La Raza, Centro de Arte Publico, and the Saturday Tutor Art Class, directed by Bill Tara
at Otis Art Institute.
During his residency with Self-Help Graphics, Leo was involved in the development of several important programs at the center,
including the Annual Celebration of Dia de Los Muertos. Past director, Sister Karen Boccalero osf, allowed him to open and
run the screen print shop and later evolved into the well known Atelier Printmaking Program. His Fine Art Silk-Screen Prints
have been exhibited nationally and internationally as a result of several exhibitions.
In order to pursue his commitment to youth in the community, Leo assisted with the coordination of various projects including
the L.A. River Cats Restoration and Re-creation project at the Aztlan Cultural Arts Foundation, Inc. He's currently a group
facilitator with the National Latino Fatherhood and Family Institute, mentoring Chicano youth. He is also involved in a number
of groups and efforts to revive the Los Angeles River as a historic region, cultural arts enclave, and tourist destination.
Currently, his work is featured in two important recent publications. Chicano Visions: American Painters on the Verge and
Contemporary Chicana and Chicano Art: Artists, Works, Culture, and Education. Leo's life work and impact to date have left
a positive legacy not only upon the local community and culture, but also the art world in general. He is one of the most
distinguished mid career artists of the Chicano Art Movement.
Series Description
Series I Correspondence 1992- 2006
Correspondence includes personal and professional letters from Limon's career. It spans gallery exhibitions, personal and
political letters, and community events brainstorming.
Series II Subjects 1993- 2008
This series covers various art events in the Los Angeles area as well as promotional material for such events. Some of the
events Limon was a part of; for others, he was not.
Series III Photographs 1971 - 2008
Photographs in the album range from personal (various pictures of Limon and his family at various social and familial events)
to professional (pictures of his murals and works both completed and in progress). Some photographs have captions accompanying
them written by Limon himself.
Series VI Posters 2002, 2006
Related Collections
Self Help Graphics and Art Archives (CEMA 3), The Richard Duardo Collection (CEMA 65) and the Galería de la Raza Archives
(CEMA 4). There is also a Leo Limón Oral History Book and video documentary titled,
Leo Limón: Portrait of an Artist, that are in production.
Preferred Citation note
Leo Limon Papers, CEMA 95, Department of Special Collections, University Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Scope
The Leo Limon Papers, spans two boxes and the years 1971 - 2008. It is a portrait of Leo Limon, a distinguished artist from
the Chicano Art Movement. A prominent artist, muralist and community activist, he has been involved with art and community
endeavors such as the Los Angeles River Catz Project, Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research, and Chicano
Visions exhibitions. The Leo Limon Papers contains correspondence, events information and promotional material, a photograph
collection, and copies of two of his posters.
Processing Information note
Collection processed by Callie Bowdish and CEMA staff, July 2009.
Series I Correspondence
1992- 2006
Text 1, Folder 1-5
September 1992 - October 2006
1992- 2006
Series II Subjects
1993- 2008
Text 1, Folder 6
Exhibitions - Announcements
2005- 2007
Text 1, Folder 7
Exhibitions - Chicano Visions
2001- 2003
Text 1, Folder 8
National Latino Fatherhood and Family Institute
undated
Text 1, Folder 9, 10
Flyers and Announcements
1992- 2007
Text 1, Folder 11
Flyers and Announcements
undated
Text 1, Folder 12
Friends of the Los Angeles River
2005
Text 1, Folder 13
Los Angeles River Catz Project
1997- 2006
Text 1, Folder 14
Newspaper Articles
1993- 2006
Text 1, Folder 15
Self-Help Graphics and Art
2007- 2008
Text 1, Folder 16
Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research
2006
Series III Photographs
1971- 2008
Graphic materials CEMA Workroom
Down by the cornfield
2002
creator:
Limon, Leo
Description
This is an offset poster of one of Leo Limon's LA River Catz. The original was acrylic on canvas. The poster includes yellow
corn and a yellow cat head with L.A. River wildlife on the bottom. There are 13 copies of this poster.
Graphic materials CEMA Workroom
National Latino Congreso- 2006
2006
creator:
Limon, Leo
Description
Poster text reads Commemorative Poster Los Angeles, California. It is signed by Leo Limon. This picture is of a young Chicana
protestor holding an American flag and wearing a button that says " Su Voto Es Su Voz" (Your voice is your vote). On the bottom
there is a crowd of protestors with a banner that says "Hoy Marchamos" (Today we march). It appears to be an offset that was
originally acrylic on canvas. There are 15 posters.