Cycling Claremont: Sacred Grandmother

Sacred Grandmother is a Pitzer College mural painted by Joe Galarza, with thematic assistance from Tongva elder Julia Bogany. The mural depicts mythic twins holding Turtle, upon whose back is Earth. You will notice other symbols as well, including the woodpecker headdress, tree and beating heart. Overlooking all is Grandmother.

Begun with an idea, during the Spring of 2016, "to pursue the process of decolonizing the Pitzer College community," the mural "is reflective of the traditions and stories of the indigenous people here..." A year later (April 2017) the mural was officially dedicated.

You may be aware already, but Galarza is also the artist behind "Genetic Future" at Pitzer.

While you cannot visit the Pitzer College campus (or any of the Claremont College campuses) right now, due to the COVID-19 shut-down, be sure to add Sacred Grandmother to your campus bike-in mural tour, once they open to visitors again. The mural is located on a wall of Scott Hall.