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 and co-founder of Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC). The mural was SPARC's first mural project, originally titled "The History of California," and includes conceptual and design contributions from a variety of 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 (Mercado, Pablo; "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 that would extend it to a full mine in length. A new section titled "Generation on Fire" depicting freedom riders was unveiled by Baca at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on October 26, 2023, and additional mural sections were planned to depict California throughout the 1990s.
A March 1, 2026 Los Angeles Times article identifying legal contradictions in the mural program and in Baca's official role has placed the mural project's future in doubt with SPARC staff and the general public.
This extensive mural effort was coordinated by Judith Baca, U.C.L.A. professor of Chicano Studies and co-founder of Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC). The mural was SPARC's first mural project, originally titled "The History of California," and includes conceptual and design contributions from a variety of 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 (Mercado, Pablo; "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 that would extend it to a full mine in length. A new section titled "Generation on Fire" depicting freedom riders was unveiled by Baca at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on October 26, 2023, and additional mural sections were planned to depict California throughout the 1990s.
A March 1, 2026 Los Angeles Times article identifying legal contradictions in the mural program and in Baca's official role has placed the mural project's future in doubt with SPARC staff and the general public.
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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