CalArts Unveils Mural Honouring Firefighters and Indigenous Fire Wisdom
Key Takeaway: CalArts students unveiled a mural honouring firefighters and Indigenous fire knowledge on 16 October, funded by alumnus Ryosaku Miyasaka.
California Institute of the Arts has unveiled a new student-designed mural honouring firefighters and exploring Indigenous approaches to caring for the state’s fire-adapted landscape. The unveiling took place on Friday 16 October 2026 in Valencia.
The mural
Garza, a visiting faculty member in the School of Art, guided students through the ‘Fire Ecologies and Communities’ course to produce the work. It examines cultural burning, the intentional use of fire to support biodiversity and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, CalArts announced.
The class pitched three concepts, and the student body picked the winner by ballot. Four students designed the chosen mural, drawing inspiration from Wukchumni Yokuts friendship baskets, Chumash cave paintings and Tongva histories, CalArts announced.
Honouring first responders
Funding came from CalArts graduate Ryosaku Miyasaka (BFA ’74), whose artistic practice was shaped by a brush with fire as a student. Thankful to the firefighters who answered the call, Miyasaka paid for students to create the tribute to first responders, CalArts announced.
“The mural course was designed to introduce students to Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge around fire and also how to develop a public art/mural practice,” said Garza, CalArts announced.
The unveiling programme included recognition of local firefighters and first responders, alongside an opportunity to meet the student artists, CalArts announced.
Key Story Metrics
| Figure | Reported Status |
|---|---|
| **16 October 2026** | Unveiling date (Friday) (CalArts) |
| **4** | Student designers (CalArts) |
| **3** | Proposed designs (CalArts) |
✓ Verified
• CalArts unveiled a student-designed mural honouring firefighters and exploring Indigenous approaches to California’s fire-adapted landscape on Friday 16 October 2026, 4-6 pm, in Valencia (CalArts).
• The mural was created through the ‘Fire Ecologies and Communities’ course led by visiting faculty River Garza (CalArts).
• Four students designed the mural, selected from three proposals by student vote; it draws on Wukchumni Yokuts, Chumash and Tongva traditions (CalArts).
• The project was funded by CalArts alumnus Ryosaku Miyasaka (BFA ’74) (CalArts).
