Long Beach City College proudly welcomes esteemed Chicano muralist Paul Botello. 

In spring 2023, LBCC’s Public Art Advisory Group issued a request for proposals for this inaugural project, and students had the opportunity to view and rank the finalists. Mr. Botello rose to the top with his vision of “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”  

During the design process, the artist engaged with LBCC students and staff incorporating their values into his composition. Assisted in painting the mural by student Francisco Baldonado, the central image displays an indigenous Tongva woman who represents Mother Earth. While becoming the tree of life, she unites the community with the ancestors. The featured LBCC students demonstrate strength and resilience in their diversity. Below motifs of world cultures and above symbols of the college’s academic disciplines express the shared heritage and opportunities of an equitable, inclusive education. A warm glow radiates hope for the future. 

When asked about his mural Botello states “The tree is nature; trees have always been a symbol of the spirit of life. Nature is life. So, I venerate the earth and I want to protect if for future generations.” 

About the artist 

Paul Botello has been a public artist for over 37 years and has executed more than 50 murals. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, he is the brother of East Los Streetscaper co-founder, David Botello. Involved with art from a young age, he helped his brother with mural projects. After earning his BA and MFA at UCLA, he traveled to Berlin, Germany in 1994 where he collaborated on a giant mural titled “Global Chessboard.” In 1997, he was a visiting professor at Pitzer College in Claremont. His murals, both in Los Angeles and abroad, focus on social issues in a distinctive colorful style that exudes energy.  

Most recently, Paul Botello was honored, alongside LA Mayor Karen Bass and others, with a 2023 Angel Award from the East Los Angeles Community Youth Center in recognition of his more than 30 years of community service. Learn more about Paul Botello and see his work on Instagram at @paulbotelloartistmuralist. 

We invite you to view the short film below about the making of the mural.  

We would like to acknowledge the Public Art Advisory Group (PAAG) members who contributed to the planning and execution of the mural “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”  

Public Art Advisory Group 2022-2024 Membership  

Classified staff, faculty and management 

• Karla Aguiniga, Art Gallery Manager and Public Art Advisory Group chair 
• Dr. Janét Hund, Dean, School of Visual, Performing Arts, & Cultural Programs 
• Erin Murphy, Director of Special Projects 
• Dr. Tracy Carmichael, Chief Innovation Officer 
• Dr. Raymond Chip West, Vice President, Administrative & Business Services 
• Suman Mudunuri, Dean, School of Career Education 
• Dr. Alisia Kirkwood, Associate Vice President, Pacific Coast Campus 
• Kyle Padron, Facilities 
• Jerome Thomas, Senior Media Producer 
• Stacey Toda, Director, Communications & Community Engagement 
• Carolyn Castaño, Co-Department Head and Professor, Painting and Drawing 
• Sarah Vure, Professor, Art History 
• Stas Orlovski, Professor, Painting and Drawing 
• Matthew Segotta, Instructional Associate – Power Tools 
• Maria Williams-Slaughter, Deputy Director, Operations and Maintenance 
• CC Sadler, Educational Technologist  
• Michelle Ary, Senior Multimedia Services Specialist 
• Dr. Gilbert Estrada, Associate Professor, History 
• J-son Ong, Professor, English 

Students 

• Francisco Baldonado, 2023-2024 
• Brandon Diaz, 2023-2024 
• Cyerra-Leonne Gardley, 2022-2023 
• Grace Gioiello, 2023 
• Soraya Leonard, 2022-2023 
• Shereen Moustafa, 2023-2024 
• Kelsy Valenzuela, 2023 
• Emily Rosales, 2022-2023 
• Alice Oueijan, 2022-2024 
• Marty Triplett, 2023-2024 
• Miguel Zavala-Lopez, 2022-2024 

Community members 

Griselda Suarez, Executive Director, Arts Council of Long Beach 

Special thanks to: 

Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz, Vice President Academic Affairs Dr. Lee Douglas, and the LBCC Board of Trustees: Board President Vivian Malauulu, Uduak-Joe Ntuk, Sunny Zia, Herlinda Chico, Dr. Virginia Baxter and Student Trustee Emma Manetta 

LBCC Facilities and Risk Management, Mark Birong, Susan Raby, Kathy Each, Kim Hammon, Julie Daniels, Angkor Arts Collective, Virginia Carmelo, Paul Botello, Francisco Baldonado, Vojislav Radovanović  and Jason Jenn.