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Tours

1. Pitzer Murals Tour

   Discover the creativity throughout Pitzer College's campus on a guided mural tour.

   Stops

   1. Bridges of Change, 2013

      Artist: Paul Santoleri

      Location: McConnell Center, E 9th Street

      Commission: Pitzer College’s 50th Anniversary

      Santoleri created the vast 23-by-140-foot mural to capture the way Pitzer nurtures both the life of the mind and the world of nature through education. Associate Professor of Art Jessica McCoy and students from her Mural Painting class worked side-by-side with Santoleri on three levels of scaffolding to bring Bridges of Change to life along Ninth Street.

   2. Botello Mural, summer 2006

      Artist: Paul J. Botello

      Location: McConnell Center, West Patio

   3. Past, Present, Future, 1997

   4. Maria Soldatenko, 2006

      Artist(s): Unknown

      Location: Avery Hall, on outside column

      Student mural of Maria Gutierrez de Soldatenko, Associate Professor Emerita of Chicana/o-Latina/o Transnational Studies.

   5. Collective Combustion, 2023

      Artist(s): Stella Cook '23 and Sydney Gerteis '23

      Location: Avery Hall, in front of Desertscape

   6. Desertscape, n.d.

      Artist: Sonya Angelica Diehm '98

      Location: Avery Hall, north side facing Broad Hall

   7. Genetic Future, 2012-13.

      Artist(s) Professor Anthony Fran and Joe Galarza

      Part of Sociology 31 about the harm caused by Monsanto’s genetic engineering and GMOS.

       

   8. Life is Sweet, 2021-22

      Artist: Sarah Sherts SCR'22

      Location: Scott Hall, left low wall facing commencement plaza
      
      Image of animal cell lollipop, meant to signify the interdisciplinary values of Pitzer and the 5Cs in a playful and consumable way.

   9. The World, 2011-12

      Artist: Rebecca Salzman CMC'12

      Location: Fletcher Hall, outside room 104
      
      Designed to disorient the viewer and cause them to question their reception of the world and their role in it.

       

   10. Fossils, n.d.

       Artist: Cristin Shively '01

       Location: Bernard Hall, 3D wall installation outside room 111

   11. The Eaton-Palisades Palm, 2025

       Artists: Elisa Laloudakis SCR'26 and Arianna Lawrence PO'26

       Location: Scott Hall 

       This mural centers on a palm tree engulfed in fire, serving as a remembrance of the recent destructive Palisades and Eaton fires in Southern California. The image highlights the multifaceted significance of the palm tree in LA, which is both a beloved symbol of the region's glamour and beauty, and a significant fire risk (often called "matchsticks"). The artwork offers a dual interpretation: it can be seen as advocating for planting native species to reduce fire hazards or as an illustration of LA's resilience and strength as communities and nature rebuild after disaster.

   12. Tongva History and Culture, 2013-14

       Artists: Joe Galarza, Anthony Grancoso, and Scott Scoggins '10

       Location: Bernard Hall, outside room 101

   13. Scared Yanga, Spring 2017

       Artists: Joe Galarza and Dana Nothnagel '19

       Location: Scott Hall, right corner facing Bernard Hall

       Utilizes creation mythology to honor the original inhabitants of the Greater Los Angeles County and San Bernardino area.

   14. To Be Visible, 2019-20

       Artists: Jackie Contreras '22, Joe Galarza, Violet Luxton '11

       Location: Scott Hall, right corner facing Broad Center

       To Be Visible commemorates local singer, scholar, and activist Aleyah Toscano, who served the community through the Native Youth to College scholar program, and also commemorates murdered and missing indigenous women. The mural depicts the Tongva story of “No-Moon” and “First-Moon” the twin sisters whose story is used to teach women how to protect and empower each other.

   15. Stolen Soul, 2011-12.

       Artists: Adam Faison '15, Johanna Garcia '15, Nikita Mehandru '15, and Laurel Sagar '15

       Location: Mead Hall, northwest side

       Los Angeles is one of the top three points of entry in this country for victims of slavery and trafficking.

   16. Mural for Kate, 2022.

       Artists: Sylvie Alexander SCR '22, Esme Fairbairn '22, Shanie Kalikow '22, Olivia Lenfesty '22, and Julia Young

       Location: Mead Hall, west side

       This colorful mural celebrates the life of Pitzer student Kate Weinberg and references a piece of artwork by Yoko Ono called “Ceiling Painting/ Yes Painting” that Kate loved and even considered getting tattooed on her body. This art piece is combined with a female skater, a favorite memory of the way Kate existed on campus, skating off into the distance.

   17. Untitled, 2011-12

       Artist: Vivian Haesloop SCR'12

       Location: Mead Hall, west side

       Depiction of Pitzer in Madhubani style

   18. Untitled, 1995

       Artists: Darci Raphael '97 and Aaron Rhodes '97

       Location: Mead Hall, west side

       The first student mural, inspiring a long list of students.

   19. Untitled (pixelated desert), 2011-12

       Artists: Olivia Buck PO'12 and Erin Morgan PO'12

       Location: Mead Hall, west side

   20. Gray Ghost, 2022.

       Artist: Esther Cohen '24
       Restored by Jacey Rubinstein, 2023

       Location: Mead Hall, west side

       This mural depicts a feminine figure emerging, ascending into a golden nest. Beneath her is an abstract earth-like place with other figures. Aims to show the connection between the natural world and humanity. This painting is about the interconnectedness of being alive. Life connects people to each other, to nature, and even to those we perceive as dead.

   21. The Living Network, 2025-26

       Artist: Natalie Potter '26

       Location: Mead Courtyard near X Tower entrance.

       This piece abstracts the themes of human connection and nature using a minimalist, symmetrical composition inspired by Pitzer College's signature tree. The artist uses the tree as a metaphor for the human brain and consciousness, drawing a parallel between its branching structure and neural pathways to show the deep interdependence of thought and ecology. With roots representing memory and ancestry and branches signifying imagination and collective growth, the mural becomes a meditation on the idea that internal and external living networks of connection are the foundation of life.

   22. Pelican, n.d.

       Artist: Drew Herbert '16

       Location: Holden Wall, north side wall facing Mead Hall

   23. Dragons Over Waves, n.d

       Artist: Charlie Mok '06 and the Center for Asian Pacific American Students (CAPAS)

       Location: Mead Hall, southwest side

       Restored, 2021

   24. Poverty, Injustice + Inequality, 2015-16

       Artist: Jenny McNamara

       Location: Holden Wall, south side wall facing garden

       Quote by Nelson Mandela, "As long as poverty, injustice, and gross inequality persist in our world none of us can rest." 

   25. Interhueman, 1997

       Artist: Paul Botello 

       Location: Mead Hall, east side

       In the 1996-97 academic year, Los Angeles muralist Paul J. Botello was visiting professor and Artist-In-Residence at Pitzer College and taught a class on “Murals, World Wall Art”. This mural was completed with the assistance of the class' students. 

   26. Wings of Hope, 2021

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Mead Hall, southeast corner, center courtyard

       The mural honors the artist’s mother who passed away in 2020, a person described as positive, determined and someone who worked her entire life to make the world a better place. The word hope is not only the artist’s mother’s middle name, but it also aims to give the  community a positive outlook –an outward message of positivity and optimism for the future as we so desperately need.

        

   27. Stefan's Mural/Big Clock, 2010

       Artist: Stefan Eatmon (former Pitzer staff)

       Location: Mead Hall, northeast side

   28. Provida Futuri?, n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Mead Hall, northwest side

       Stenciled words “Provida Futuri? Silence killed the revolution” with a broken Pitzer tree.

   29. American Faces, 2014

       Artist: Adrian Brandon '15

       Location: Mead Hall, northwest side

   30. Meiko, 2022

       Artist: Shelby Ottengheime '23

       Location: Mead Hall, northwest side

       The multidisciplinary mural contrasts elements of constraint and freedom, aiming to spark interdisciplinary and intercultural conversation. The mural is inspired by the Japanese American artist, David Monkawa, whose work is a response to the Japanese concentration camps during World War II.

   31. Song of Herself, 2021-22

       Artist: Margot Mafra Spencer SCR'21

       Location: Mead Hall, east side

       Portrayal and expectations of women throughout history and in the present. Based on the poem Song of Myself by Walt Whitman.

   32. Untitled (mosaic tiles), n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Mead Hall, east side

   33. Untitled (swirly shapes heart), 2005

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Location: Mead Hall, east side

       To strengthen the link between Pitzer and LA downtown schools, balance
        creative raw energy and create a sense of cohesiveness. The mural has been a site for student involvement and participation over the years.

   34. Untitled (compass: autonomy, peace, free association, praxis), n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Mead Hall, east side

   35. Grafitti Angels, n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Mead Hall, east side

   36. Enter the Dreamspace, 2021-22

       Artist: Crystal Rodriguez '23

       Location: Mead Hall, east side

       Intended to implore the viewer to take a minute to rest and dream.

   37. Ceasefire, 2015-16

       Artist: Selena Spier '19

       Location: Mead Hall, east side

       Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong.

   38. Graham Derzon-Supplee, 2022-23

       Artist(s): Teagan Cimring '23, Gurmuk Singh, '22 and Louisa Viemeister '23

       Location: Mead Hall, southeast side

       In memory of Graham Derzon-Supplee who passed away in the summer of 2022. Represents his love for water and nature.

        

   39. In Memory of Adam Cave, 2016-17

       Artist: Chloe Bunde SCR'19

       Location: Holden Wall, north side wall facing Mead Hall

        

   40. The Garden of Neurodiversity, 2018-19

       Artist: Valerie Schiro

       Location: Holden Wall, north side wall facing Mead Hall

   41. Be Your Own Weird, 2018

       Artist: Sophie Reingold '18

       Location: Holden Wall, north side wall facing Mead Hall

   42. Taranda Burke, n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Holden Wall, south side wall facing garden

   43. Inside Out, 2015-16

       Artists: Marie Flemming '16, John Kalapos '17, Libby Reyff '16, and Emelia VonSaltz '18

       Location: Holden Wall, south side wall facing garden

       Designed to raise questions on how the prison industrial complex affects families, communities, and ultimately the environment.

   44. Healing, n.d.

       Artist: Office of Student Affairs

       Location: Holden Wall, south side wall facing garden

       Healing is an ART it takes love.

   45. GBP, 2021-22

       Artist: Max Otake '23

       Location: Green Bike Program, garage door

   46. In Memory of Jeff Frum, 2012-13

       Artists: Annie Brown '14, Hillary Green '15, and Austin Holden '13

       Location: between West Hall and East Hall, west side of wall 

   47. Tapas, 2012-13

       Artist: Richard Siegal '16

       Location: between West Hall and East Hall, east side of wall 

   48. Fox, n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Gear Closet Door, north of the Gold Student Center

   49. Breaking Unbreakable Chains, 2025-26

       Artist: Alexandra Lombardi

       Location: Gold Student Center patio

       This mural is directly inspired by Pitzer's Inside Out Program and the transformative experience it offers to students. The design features a blue chain that breaks, turning into seeds being sown into a developing plant, set against a background gradient of yellows and reds. This symbolism represents the breaking of cyclical incarceration for inside students, allowing them to sow seeds for a brighter future. For outside students, the breaking chain signifies the shedding of preconceived notions about incarceration, leading to growth in empathy and critical thinking. Ultimately, the mural serves as a hopeful statement to keep the Inside Out Program alive in the campus's consciousness and heart.

   50. Bring it to the Table, 2015-16

       Artists: Alaina Orr '18, Mai Nguyen '19, Everst Strayer '18, and Eve Wang '19. 

       Location: Pool, behind Gold Student Center, east side

       Food used to symbolize the exploitation of API cultures and communities, held on the backs of community organizers.

   51. Seasons of Change (AKA Geometry and Sunset), n.d.

       Artist: Carmen Uriarte, '06

       Location: Pool, behind Gold Student Center, east side

       The mural was completed in partnership with the women of Prototypes
        Women’s Center and their children

        

   52. Rainbow Rays 1, 2012-13

       Artist: Richard Siegel '16

       Location: Pool Area, behind Gold Student Center, east side

   53. Rainbow Rays 2, 2012-13

       Artist: Richard Siegel '16

       Location: Pool Area, behind Gold Student Center, east side

   54. Consideration, n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Pool Area, behind Gold Student Center, east side

       Restored in Spring 2023 by Chae Chae.

   55. Mosaic in Memory of Hiliary Green, 2014-15

       Artists: Professor Timothy Berg and Abby Hayley CMC'14

       Location: Pool Area, behind Gold Student Center, east side

   56. Shakedown Mosaic, n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Shakedown Patio, behind Gold Student Center, east side

   57. Love the Skin You're In, n.d.

       Artist: Unknown

       Location: Pool Area, behind Gold Student Center, east side