In the summer of 1983, 400 “at risk youth” from various neighborhoods and ethnic backgrounds participated in painting the half-mile Great Wall mural in Los Angeles. The project was transformational for a great number of participants allowing them to make new friends, challenge old assumptions, preserve their communities history and tell their stories.

After almost 30 years, the mural was in need of serious work. In the summer of 2011, people all over the country including original painters, new artists, and artistic director, Judy Baca, came together to preserve the mural and restore it to its original beauty. The Great Wall of L.A. now stands as brilliant as ever! See the video below for inspiring testimony about the project and some beautiful footage of the mural.