A glorious new mural now lives at the Griffith Park Visitor Center courtyard – and it’s a must see!

“Invisible Neighbors” is the work of Studio Tutto, local artists Sofia Laçin and Hennessy Christophel, who transformed three blank walls into a semi-abstract homage to the Park’s plants and wildlife. FoGP sponsored the project that underwent nearly two years of approvals before the team began their work in spring, 2024.

Large crowds turned out to view the mural of flowing and twining plant life, discovering the hidden treasures including skunks, deer, praying mantises, and more. Smack dab in the middle panel, with white piercing eyes, is a depiction of the ghost cat himself, mountain lion P-22 who resided in this Park mainly undetected for more than 10 years. Adults and kids were delighted and mesmerized by the intricacies of the imagery.

In addition, a small native plant garden welcomed guests; a large plant spire was uncovered and the seeds inside will soon germinate. FoGP brought in native plant specialist Katherine Pakradouni to select and place plants that will augment yet not obscure the mural. This pollinator garden features a selection of sticky monkey flower, sage and blue-eyed grasses.

The plants have already been welcomed

While Laçin and Christophel were putting the finishing touches on the mural, a hummingbird approached their painted red fuchsia flower. Realizing it wasn’t the real thing, it buzzed off. ­­But once the garden was installed, the artists noticed a hummingbird sipping from the blooming fuchsia.

“I don’t know if it was the same one,” Laçin told the crowds at the celebration. “But I like to think it was the same one returning and drinking from the real thing.”

On the following day, PBS’s Jennifer Jewell, Cultivating Place podcast, interviewed the artists for a broadcast that will air later.

~Brenda Rees, FoGP Board Member