Ekho celebrates the finished mural with artist Myisha Arellano.
Each time Sea Tellez walks by the vibrant, panoramic mural overlooking the Student Union courtyard, the junior Psychology student feels “warm and welcomed.”
“The mural really captures a sense of belonging no matter what your background may be,” Tellez said. “I feel that everyone can find a little piece of home or themselves in this work of art that really captures the heart of CSUCI’s community.” The only sentence in the mural, “All of you is welcome,” communicates this idea impactfully – though it typically requires a second read to catch the intended message, that every aspect of every student’s identity belongs at CSUCI.
Created by Los Angeles-based artist Myisha Arellano with broad participation and input from the CSUCI community, the legacy mural stands as a tribute to the lands, history, people, and cultures that continue to shape the campus. Tasked with designing the mural last year by the Center for Multicultural Engagement, Arellano worked closely with students, faculty, staff, and the Ethnic Studies Council to ensure that it would reflect the diverse perspectives and contributions of the rich array of people and populations who are CSUCI.
“Students are creating their legacy at CSUCI every day by interacting with each other and shaping the campus community,” Arellano said. “I wanted viewers of the mural to remember that legacy is not only in history but also in how we continue building from it.”
Caryl Ann Becerra helps paint details on the right side.
The project started as the vision of Chicana/o Studies Associate Professor Jennie Luna, who was serving as acting director of the Center for Multicultural Engagement in Spring 2022. When President Richard Yao offered a mini-grant to each of CSUCI’s four mission centers (the Center for Multicultural Engagement, the Center for Community Engagement, the Center for Integrative Studies, and the Center for International Affairs), Luna proposed a campus legacy mural as being most reflective of the centers’ missions.
“I wanted the mural to reflect a commitment to Ethnic Studies and the history of struggle and resistance and looking at education as a liberatory practice for oppressed and disenfranchised communities,” Luna said. “Another important piece for me was that students see themselves graduating in the mural. It would be a place where students could take pictures on their first day and again on graduation day. Students would see that mural every day and realize that they belong on this campus and in higher education.”
Arellano, who has designed, painted, and led multiple private and public murals rooted in community engagement, said the project’s collaborative nature deeply resonated with her as a queer, migrant artist.
“Ten years ago, I was an art student at CSUN, so in many ways I feel connected to CSUCI,” said Arellano. “At CSUN, I witnessed the creation of a mural on campus in my first year and later participated in designing and painting one in Profesora Yreina Cervantez’s class. After their completion, these murals became part of my daily experience. I wanted to honor that daily connection for students at CSUCI. This project depicts only part of a legacy that will continue to be formed by students, faculty, and staff.”
The mural was created by Los Angeles-based artist Myisha Arellano (right) shown with Christy Teranishi Martinez.
Last spring, Arellano teamed up with Christy Teranishi Martinez, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Multicultural Engagement, to bring the mural to life. Over the course of more than two months, many students, faculty, and staff showed up to participate in the mural’s creation.
“It was a collaborative process from start to finish,” said Teranishi Martinez. “We held town hall meetings and open forums to incorporate students throughout the entire campus. Students were given a voice to provide their input on what represents their identities, their cultural backgrounds, their ancestral heritage, and their experiences, sharing their visions for what would represent their legacy in the mural. It has been a wonderful way to connect our students with something that represents their values and experiences at CSUCI to their families, culture, and community.”
The mural offers the casual observer something new to uncover with each viewing. It imparts a colorful and comprehensive picture of CSUCI, incorporating its earliest indigenous inhabitants, the Chumash, alongside images of local landmarks, like sat’wiwa (also called Round Mountain), native plants, wildlife, farm workers, activists, scholars, families, and critical moments in history, all connected by a sense of place.
“I was amazed by the beauty the artist was able to portray,” said senior Meghan Long, who helped paint the mural. “She captured the history of the land surrounding the campus. I love the vibe of the mural, and the Student Union patio now has a special place where students can simply look and reflect on our cultures and heritage.”
The mural was projected and then painted.
Because the mural was completed over the summer, many students, staff, and faculty saw it for the first time when Fall classes began. To officially introduce the mural to the community, the Center for Multicultural Engagement held an “unveiling” ceremony at the Student Union courtyard during the campus celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day.
“I absolutely love the way Myisha captured all our voices and meshed our visions to create this grand masterpiece to represent who we are here at CSUCI, a school who welcomes all backgrounds and walks of life with open arms,” said Tellez, who also helped paint the mural. “CSUCI has always made me feel supported and cared for. This mural really captures that spirit.”
To learn more, visit: go.csuci.edu/su-mural