Taller Arte del Nuevo Amanecer (TANA), a community art studio in Woodland, California, is celebrating its 16-year legacy as a hub for Chicano printmaking and muralism. Founded as a partnership between UC Davis and the Yolo County Housing Authority, the studio provides free materials and workshops to local residents and students. The space was co-founded by activist artist Malaquias Montoya, a key figure in the Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF) collective, to bring professional-grade screen printing out of academia and into the community.
This initiative matters because it preserves the historical methods of Chicano activist art while providing essential resources to underserved populations during difficult economic times. By offering free access to artistic production, TANA continues the RCAF’s mission of using visual media as a tool for social empowerment and community identity. The studio serves as a vital link between the University of California system and local grassroots activism, ensuring that the tradition of the 'taller' remains a living part of Northern California's cultural landscape.