Embedded Files
DESCRIPTION: 12-foot high by 2,754-foot (½ mile) acrylic community mural, consisting of individually-designed sections depicting California and local historical and social issues
This extensive mural effort was coordinated by Judith Baca, U.C.L.A. professor of Chicano Studies, co-founder of Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC), and National Medal of Arts recipient (2023). The mural was SPARC's first mural project, originally titled "The History of California," and includes conceptual and design contributions from artists, ethnologists, and scholars, as well as mural painting assistance from local youth. According to Juan Pablo Mercado,* as of 2018 it was the largest known community mural project in the world ("Judy Baca, SPARC and a Chicana Mural Movement.” Dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles, 2018).
This mural project continues as a work-in-progress for adding future sections at the site of this North Hollywood flood control channel. A new mural section titled "Generation on Fire" depicting freedom riders was unveiled by Baca at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on October 26, 2023. Additional mural sections are planned to depict California throughout the 1990s, and will be exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art through June 2, 2024 as works-in-progress. These additional sections are anticipated to extend the mural to a full mile in length and to be completed for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. A pedestrian bridge was installed across the channel on July 25, 2024. See more at SPARC:The Great Wall of Los Angeles and LACMA.
This extensive mural effort was coordinated by Judith Baca, U.C.L.A. professor of Chicano Studies, co-founder of Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC), and National Medal of Arts recipient (2023). The mural was SPARC's first mural project, originally titled "The History of California," and includes conceptual and design contributions from artists, ethnologists, and scholars, as well as mural painting assistance from local youth. According to Juan Pablo Mercado,* as of 2018 it was the largest known community mural project in the world ("Judy Baca, SPARC and a Chicana Mural Movement.” Dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles, 2018).
This mural project continues as a work-in-progress for adding future sections at the site of this North Hollywood flood control channel. A new mural section titled "Generation on Fire" depicting freedom riders was unveiled by Baca at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on October 26, 2023. Additional mural sections are planned to depict California throughout the 1990s, and will be exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art through June 2, 2024 as works-in-progress. These additional sections are anticipated to extend the mural to a full mile in length and to be completed for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. A pedestrian bridge was installed across the channel on July 25, 2024. See more at SPARC:The Great Wall of Los Angeles and LACMA.
LOCATION: west wall of flood control channel south of Oxnard Street, 12900 Oxnard Street, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
SELECTED MURAL SECTIONS:
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