Judy Baca's Great Wall of Los Angeles Exhibition Opens at Skirball Cultural Center

The Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles has opened an exhibition showcasing new murals by artist Judy Baca, extending her renowned Great Wall of Los Angeles. The exhibition, titled “The 1960s — A Generation on Fire: Judy Baca’s Great Wall of Los Angeles,” features monumental murals that depict a visual history of ethnic peoples in California from prehistoric times through the 1960s.

The Great Wall of Los Angeles, originally conceived by Baca in 1974, is a half-mile mural along the LA River. The project, which began in 1976, was a collaborative effort involving 400 young people working with artists, historians, and community members. The mural initially covered history up to the 1950s, but the new exhibition extends the narrative to the present day, focusing on the transformative events of the 1960s.

The exhibition includes recently completed mural sections dedicated to the 1960s, which will be added to the existing mural. These sections highlight the impact of the Civil Rights Movement, peaceful protests, and cultural awakening of the era. Alongside the murals, visitors can explore preparatory drawings, color studies, and an immersive video installation that transports them to the LA River at the Tujunga Wash, the mural's ultimate site. An interactive component, MuralMemoirs, allows visitors to share their personal histories, further enriching the narrative.

The exhibition will run from October 2026 to February 2027, with individual sections of the murals being revealed throughout the duration. The Skirball Cultural Center is located in Los Angeles, California.

**Context:** The exhibition is significant as it brings a monumental public art piece indoors, offering a new perspective on the Great Wall of Los Angeles. It provides an immersive experience that combines art, history, and community engagement, making it a unique cultural event in Los Angeles.