welcome to palmdale
palmdale, ca
315 sq/ft
Created for AV Walls, Palmdale’s inaugural mural festival, Welcome to Palmdale marks a powerful moment in our journey as artists and storytellers. This two-sided mural is a tribute to the city’s layered identity—honoring its Indigenous Tataviam roots, highlighting the legacy of aerospace innovation, and reflecting the spirit of the Antelope Valley today. Each letter in “Palmdale” holds its own visual narrative, with references to local landmarks like the Palmdale Aqueduct and icons of modern AV culture. Set against a desert landscape that stretches toward possibility, this mural serves as a vibrant welcome and a reminder of how far the city has come.
Legends in the Landscape
On the side wall of the mural, the silhouette of a turkey vulture soars beside the figure of a man gazing out over the Antelope Valley from Vasquez Rocks. That man is Tiburcio Vásquez, a controversial but iconic figure from California’s past whose name is tied to the land itself. His presence in the mural connects Palmdale to a broader story of resistance, displacement, and survival during the state’s transition from Mexico to the United States. The turkey vulture, often misunderstood, serves as a symbol of regeneration and balance in nature. Together, these figures remind us that history is complex, and that the land holds many stories—some told, some still unfolding.
