Born 1992 Oxnard, California
Resides Fullerton, California
Education California State University Fullerton, MFA 2028
Laguna College of Art & Design, BFA 2021-2023
Riverside Community College, 2011-2018
Solo Exhibitions
2026 “Featured Artist Spotlight: Rafael Mejia”, Art Depot Gallery, Fontana, CA
Group Exhibitions
2026 “Raíces y Sueños”, Munzon Gallery
“OC Made”, Fullerton Museum Center
2025 “Muzeo 61st Annual Juried Art Show”, Anaheim Art Assoc.
“41st Irvine Annual”, Irvine Art Assoc.
“13th Biennial Ontario Open Art Exhibition” Ontario Museum
2024 “55th Annual Contemporary Western Art Show”, Mountain Oyster Club
“Origins: Rafael Mejia x Mollie Ong”, Pain Sugar Gallery
“BFA 2024 Fine Arts Exhibition”, LCAD Gallery
“The Future of the Figure”, Billis Williams Gallery
“Altura Credit Union Artist Reach”, The Cheech Center
2023 “LCAD Mentoring Program”, Salt Fine Art
2022 “Plotkin Award Exhibition”, Plotkin Foundation
2021 “Locals Only”, Gramercy Gallery
“Juried Fine Art Exhibition”, Laguna Beach City Hall
Awards
2025 First Place in Oil Painting, Anaheim Art Assoc. 61st Annual Juried Art Show
2024 Altura Credit Union Artist Reach & Artist Spotlight Purchase
2023 LCAD Merit Scholarship
Plotkin Award
2017 RCC Art Department: Student of Distinction
Press
2026 “Artist to Watch: Art & Identity”, Southwest Art Magazine
2024 “Local Stories”, Voyage LA
“Origins” Video Interview, Urge Palette Art Supplies
“Riverside Arts Council, June Artists Spotlight”, Riverside Arts Council
“Artist Reach Interview” Altura Credit Union, The Cheech Center
Fair Booths
2026 Fontana Spring Street Market
Teaching
2026 Art Depot Gallery: Oil Painting Demonstration
California State University Fullerton: Teaching Assistant
2025 Private Lessons
Riverside Artswalk: Painting Demo
2024 Pain Sugar Gallery: Painting Demo
2017-2019 Pain Sugar Gallery: Portrait Painting Lessons
Rafael Mejia is a first-generation Mexican Californian artist. Growing up in the Inland Empire and San Diego County, he spent a lot of time between Southern California and Mexico. At his grandfather’s ranch in Coalcomán, Michoacán, he first encountered the mystery, veracity, and serenity of life—themes that continue to echo in his work.
Rafael’s art practice began at Riverside City College and continued at Laguna College of Art and Design, earning his BFA in 2023. His works have been exhibited with Pain Sugar Gallery, Salt Fine Art Gallery, Billis Williams Gallery, Mountain Oyster Club, Irvine Fine Arts Center, Muzeo, Fullerton Museum, and Ontario Museum of History & Art. He is currently continuing his studio practice in Orange County, while pursuing an MFA at California State University, Fullerton.