Guide to the Rayvan Martinez collection
CEMA 180
Finding aid prepared by Mari Khasmanyan
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California, 93106-9010
Phone: (805) 893-3062
Email: special@library.ucsb.edu; URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections
07/27/2016
Title: Rayvan Martinez collection
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 180
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.34 linear feet
(2 oversized flat-boxes, 5 posters in flat file drawers)
Date (inclusive): 1979-1982
Abstract: This collection contains original sketches, designs, stencils and silkscreens from artist Rayvan Martinez (Gonzales). As an
artist, Martinez was active in the early Chicano Movement during the 70's and 80's. His work focuses on Hispanic culture,
social injustice, and the anti-war movement. He was a member of "La Raza Silkscreen/Graphic Center" where he produced various
projects in the San Francisco/Bay area. All material is organized in numerical order, except for the silkscreen subseries
which is in alphabetical order by artist's last name.
Physical Location: Oversize boxes 1-2 located in Vault 1, Aisle 76, Column 1.
Language of Materials: The collection is mostly in English, with some Spanish.
creator:
Martinez, Rayvan Valdez
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of Item], Rayvan Martinez collection, CEMA 180. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library,
University of California, Santa Barbara.
Acquisition Information
Donated by Rayvan Martinez, June 2016.
Processing Information
Processed by Mari Khasmanyan and Pablo Amaya, 2016.
Biography
Rayvan Valdez Martinez (Gonzales) is an artist, designer, and silkscreen printer who worked at "La Raza Silkscreen/Graphic
Center" from 1977 to 1980. He was active in the early Chicano Movement during the 70's and 80's; his art focuses on Hispanic
culture, social injustice, and the anti-war movement.
Scope and Content
This collection contains original sketches, designs, stencils and silkscreens from artist Rayvan Martinez (Gonzales). As an
artist, Martinez was active in the early Chicano Movement during the 70's and 80's. His work focuses on Hispanic culture,
social injustice, and the anti-war movement. He was a member of "La Raza Silkscreen/Graphic Center" where he produced various
projects in the San Francisco/Bay area. All material is organized in numerical order, except for the silkscreen subseries
which is in alphabetical order by artist's last name.
Flat-file Vault 3
Tale Spinners presents: "Elderly Gentleman Seeks..."
1981
General Physical Description note: Silkscreen; Image size: 11 x 16.5 in. Poster size: 11.5 x 17 in.
creator:
Roberts, Sherri
Other Descriptive Information
Image divided along white, black, and blue backgrounds. The section with the white backdrop contains a description of the
protagonist in a non-specific order. The black and blue backdrops hold information of the play itself, such as the director,
admission, and location. Poster reads, "Tale Spinners presents 'Elderly Gentleman Seeks...' an original musical about growing
old and getting by with a little help from your friends. Witten and directed by Barbara Graham."
Flat-file Vault 3
Mission District Workshops
undated
General Physical Description note: Silkscreen; Image size: 8 x 12 in. Poster size: 17 x 14 in.
creator:
Martinez, Rayvan Valdez
Other Descriptive Information
From the edge of a tree line, the viewer catches a glimpse of Mesoamerican structures in an open field. Below the image, there
are details of the workshops taking place in the San Francisco Mission District. Poster reads, "Mission District Workshops
starting the week of March 10th. Photography workshop, Afro-Jazz dance workshop, jewelry making workshop, mural workshops,
mujeres meralistas workshop, magazine production workshop. Printed for the Community by the S.F Art Commission's Neighborhood
Arts Program." Piece is signed by artist on the bottom right corner.
Flat-file Vault 3
Raza Health Conference
1980
General Physical Description note: Silkscreen; Image size: 16.5 x 10.5 in. Poster size: 17.5 x 11.5 in.
creator:
Martinez, Rayvan Valdez
Other Descriptive Information
A color spectrum, ranging from red on the left to blue on the right covers and a majority of the print. The left side contains
an image heavily influenced by Mesoamerican artwork. The right side of the poster contains a description of the conference,
such as the date, location, and whom to contact. Poster reads, "Raza Health Conference at UCSF Medical Center. May 7, 1980.
Latinos unidos -- Si se puede. For more information contact your school counselor. Entertainment tours workshops comida. Designed
and printed by La Raza Graphic Center."
Flat-file Vault 3
Images of a Community
1979
General Physcial Description note: Silkscreen; Image size: 23.5 x 17.5 in. Poster size: 28.5 x 22.5 in.
creator:
Sigüenza, Herbert
Other Descriptive Information
Picture of a green maguey plant with red rolling hills in the background. Produced at La Raza Silkscreen/La Raza Graphics
Center.
Flat-file Vault 3
Mujeres #1
1979
General Physical Description note: Silkscreen; Image size: 23 x 17.5 in. Poster size: 28.5 x 22.5 in.
creator:
Sigüenza, Herbert
Other Descriptive Information
Six women wearing blue bonnets are seen in a side view, behind them is a gray background. Bottom right corner contains a chopmark
that reads from "La Raza Silkscreen/Graphic Center".
Box 1, Folder 1
Brochures
undated
Language of Materials: The collection is in English. "District I Residential Programs" was printed in English and Spanish.
Other Descriptive Information
1. Hastings La Raza Law Students Association brochure. Brochure reads: "Hastings La Raza Law Students Association. Por la
lucha de la Igualdad y la Justicia de Nuestros Barrios. Edúcate RAZA!" Artist's note reads: "Whenever the party members of
the central committee deemed it necessary, we were told not to sign our artwork. I got around it by using a small, megogian
initial for 'r' embedded within the art!" 2. District 1 Residential Programs brochure. Brochure reads: "District I Residential
Programs. Progress Foundation." Artist's note reads: "Title page and two interior drawings were done by me. The megogian 'r'
are on the street at the 'curb cut' for the driveway."
Box 1, Folder 1
Postcards
1981
Other Descriptive Information
Included are six postcards from the La Raza Silkscreen Center Inc.. Artist note on one reads: "Fragment of a letter head for
a sheet of LRS/GC 11 x 8.5 correspondence paper."
Box 1, Folder 1
Photographs
undated
Other Descriptive Information
Included are two photographs. Artist's note reads: "This project for the Fair Oaks Neighbors Association was fun to do. Clear
thinking all around. Lots of input. They actually paid me a nice sum fo the job."
Box 1, Folder 2-6
Original sketches and designs
1979-1982
Language of Materials: The collection is in English, some sketches include text in Spanish.
Other Descriptive Information
1. MALDEF. Artist's note reads: "The printed 'dummies' of my work around MALDEF 1981 annual report. 2. The Student Affirmative
Action Program. Artist's note reads: "I did some border work for a type face brochure, a letter head design for a stationary
set. I really like line drawing because I can't paint!" 3. Bundle of designs. Artist's note reads: "These are some of my designs.
There are others but I only found these, so far. 'Dominos' and the valentine heart are my favorites." 4. Sterling Silver Roses.
Artist's note reads: "Maria Martinez asked to do this job. I had hoped that she would pick a rose medallion motif. She wanted
full stemmed roses instead. The center did a lot of discount favors (free) for friends of friends of friends. Some of them
were very gracious, most felt privileged. Maria Martinez was one of the good people." 5. Chispas draft. Artist's note reads:
This is a wrap around cover for
Chispas magazine (1982), MECHA, Berkeley, California (the university there). I did one for a (wrap around cover) MALDEF report (1982)."
Second note reads: "Enclosed, a Galería de la Raza Studio 24 contract for me to send two drawings from S.F (San Francisco)
California to S.B, N.Y (South Bronx, New York). When I received my drawing back, I never participated again in any cross country
exchange."
Box 2
Acetate stencils
undated
Other Descriptive Information
Contains 13 stencils. Artist's notes read: 1. MEX Museum. Mexican folk art benefit sale. Negative 100% (twice). 2. Native
American image. Artist signed. Printer unknown. 3. Black lesbian cone. 4. No description 5. Rayvan Martinez (Gonzales). My
design 'mission hiring hall' stencils. 6. Stencil Designs and Drawings by Rayvan Martinez (Gonzales). 7. N.A.D 8. Pyramid
and Palms. A) original on paper. B) Layout on acetate. C) [Illegible] on acetate. Designed and printed by Rayvan Martinez
(Gonzales). 9. No description. 10. Stencil of the unknown artist. Puerto Rico proud. (My title) Rayvan. 11. Fair Oaks association
stencil. 12. No description. 13. Brazil contemporary stencils.
Box 1, Folder 4
Chispas. Vol. 12
December-March 1982
Language of Materials: The piece is in English with some Spanish text.
Other Descriptive Information
Artwork most likely attributed to Rayvan Martinez.