The artist plans to incorporate public input through upcoming community workshops and photo submissions
Councilwoman Traci Park on Monday announced the selection of Los Angeles-based artist Julia Fordyce to lead the highly anticipated Mar Vista Gateway Mural project, a $150,000 public art installation that will span a 140-foot Caltrans wall along Venice Boulevard near the 405 Freeway.
Fordyce’s design was chosen from among four finalists in a collaboration between the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Los Angeles Council Districts 11 and 5. The mural will serve as a prominent gateway between the Mar Vista and Westwood communities and is expected to be completed ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.
“This project is about more than beautifying public space,” Park said during the announcement at City Hall. “It’s a celebration of Mar Vista’s history, identity, and the resilience of its people.”
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents neighboring District 5, also supported the project and emphasized the importance of community voice in the final design. The mural was envisioned by the Mar Vista Community Council in 2024 as a means to reflect local culture, unity, and future aspirations.
Fordyce’s winning concept, titled Mar Vista Community Magic Medley, includes imagery of Ocean View Farms, local firefighters combating the Palisades Fire, and other scenes celebrating neighborhood life. The artist plans to incorporate public input through upcoming community workshops and photo submissions, and aims to include depictions of local heroes nominated by residents.
Known for her colorful, large-scale public murals, Fordyce centers her work around themes of empowerment, self-actualization, and accessibility. “Art should be for everyone,” she writes on her website, describing her street art as a vehicle for transformation and community engagement.
A graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver, Fordyce has produced over 40 murals nationwide and has worked with organizations focused on social change, feminism, food justice, and mental health. Her installations often seek to create “momentary liberation” for passersby and serve as “colorful windows into alternate realities.”
The mural project is part of a broader streetscape enhancement plan, with possible future additions including lighting, sculptures, and bike racks. Installation is tentatively scheduled for late 2026.
