Fifty murals in 15 years.

That’s the memorable milestone being celebrated by The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, stewards of the Murals of La Jolla program. The Athenaeum is preparing to install and unveil the 50th mural in the community at the end of April, a dramatic achievement in its mission to bring world-class public art to La Jolla.

Since 2010, the initiative has transformed the community’s urban landscape with vibrant, thought-provoking murals created by renowned artists worldwide. For 15 years and counting, Murals of La Jolla has celebrated the power of art to inspire, engage, and transform.

The 50th mural, being created by acclaimed artist Andrea Zittel, will mark an exciting new addition to La Jolla’s dynamic public art collection. Zittel, known for her conceptually driven, interdisciplinary practice, explores themes of space, structure, and self sufficiency through her work. Her mural, set to be installed at 7569 Girard Ave., continues the project’s tradition of fostering creativity and cultural dialogue, while adding a distinctive new voice to La Jolla’s artistic landscape.

“Commissioning 50 murals over 15 years is a remarkable achievement, and I am honored to have been part of this transformative project that has reshaped La Jolla’s cultural landscape,” said Lynda Forsha, founding executive director of Murals of La Jolla. “Collaborating with so many extraordinary artists whose vision and creativity have enriched our community and inspired meaningful dialogue has been a privilege.”

Murals of La Jolla was conceived as a way to enhance the community’s civic character by commissioning public art projects throughout La Jolla. The project takes an innovative approach to public art, expanding the definition of a traditional mural by utilizing private property as a canvas for public art.

The unveiling of the 50th mural also marks a transition in leadership. Now, under the direction of Taylor Chapin, the new executive director succeeding Forsha, the program enters an exciting new era, continuing its mission to transform public spaces through dynamic contemporary art.

San Diego Community Newspaper group caught up with new executive director Taylor Chapin to find out more about the Murals of La Jolla program.

SDCNG: Tell us about your role and function? Big shoes to fill following founder Lynda Forsha?

Chapin: As the new executive director of Murals of La Jolla, I oversee all aspects of the project from the moment an artist is nominated by the Art Advisory Committee to the day the artist’s mural is installed, and all the many steps along the way. This includes coordinating with artists, property owners, fabricators, and community partners, as well as managing donor engagement, communications, and long-term planning. I’ve been fortunate to work with Murals of La Jolla since 2012, and I feel incredibly grateful to have had the mentorship of Lynda Forsha for the past 12 years before stepping into this role. Lynda shaped the program into a vital part of La Jolla’s cultural identity, and her curatorial vision and commitment to artistic excellence set a powerful foundation. It’s a privilege to carry that legacy forward while also introducing new initiatives that will continue to grow the program’s reach and impact.

SDCNG: Did you have any idea the mural program would get this big?

Chapin: It’s incredible to look back and see how the project has grown. I don’t think the founding members could have imagined just how prolific it would become. But the success of the program is a true testament to their vision and unwavering commitment to the arts. What began as an effort to bring thought-provoking, contemporary public art to La Jolla has grown into a highly acclaimed program that has transformed our community into a vibrant destination for contemporary art. The scale and longevity are a reflection of both the strength of the original concept and the community’s ongoing enthusiasm for accessible, high-quality public art.

SDCNG: When/where will the 50th mural dedication be?

Chapin: The 50th mural, by celebrated artist Andrea Zittel, will be installed this week at 7569 Girard Ave., a highly visible location along a major thoroughfare connecting La Jolla Village with Bird Rock. While we won’t be hosting a public dedication event, we’re thrilled to be introducing this important work at such a prominent community site.

SDCNG: What criteria does the arts committee follow in choosing murals?

Chapin: Our Art Advisory Committee of curators, art professionals, and community leaders, considers several factors when selecting artists: the strength and originality of the artist’s vision, the relevance of their work to the public realm, and how the artwork will interact with the specific site. We aim for a diverse range of voices and aesthetics, from internationally renowned figures to the incredible artists living and working right here in San Diego, always prioritizing works that are conceptually rich and visually engaging.

SDCNG: When did the Athenaeum take over for the La Jolla Community Foundation, and what are their responsibilities with the murals program?

Chapin: The Athenaeum took over stewardship of the Murals of La Jolla in 2014, following its early years under the La Jolla Community Foundation. The Athenaeum provides critical administrative and institutional support, manages fiscal oversight, and serves as a cultural partner for the program. Their involvement has helped ensure the program’s long-term sustainability while maintaining its independent curatorial vision.

SDCNG: What happens to the old murals when they’re done?

Chapin: Each mural in the program is on view for a minimum of two years. After that, they are de-installed, retired, and recycled. While the physical murals are temporary, we preserve their legacy through documentation and digital archives. This rotating model keeps the project dynamic, allowing for continuous engagement with new artists and fresh perspectives. Each mural contributes to an evolving visual conversation that reflects the changing landscape of contemporary art in La Jolla.

SDCNG: What’s ahead in the future for the murals program?
Chapin: We couldn’t be more excited about achieving this major milestone of 50 murals. It’s a meaningful moment for the program, and we’re already looking ahead to the next 50. One of our upcoming projects is a new volume of the Murals of La Jolla book, which will showcase all 50 murals and celebrate the incredible artists who have contributed to the visual fabric of our community.

Looking forward, we’re exploring opportunities to expand mural locations, cultivate new partnerships, and develop programming that deepens public engagement. We’re also piloting new ways to support artists in our region and introduce fresh voices into the project. While the formats may evolve, the core mission remains the same: to bring ambitious, meaningful public art to La Jolla – free and accessible to all.

MURALS OF LA JOLLA

El pagsrocess: An art advisory committee, composed of the heads of major visual arts organizations in La Jolla, selects artists to create site-specific interventions on public-facing, privately owned buildings, carefully considering the size, location, and visibility of each site. While the first two murals by Roy McMakin and Kim MacConnel were painted directly onto their respective buildings, the majority of subsequent artworks have been printed on vinyl and installed on billboard-like structures. Each work remains on view for a minimum of two years before being rotated out for a new commission.

Ahora onorte Display: Currently, there are 16 mural locations on view throughout La Jolla, creating a dynamic, open-air gallery that encourages engagement with contemporary art. Many of these locations have hosted three to four different murals throughout the project, fostering an evolving artistic dialogue that captivates residents and visitors alike. The initiative, originally launched by the La Jolla Community Foundation, is a project of the Athenaeum. Visit muralsoflajolla.com para más información.