Judith Francisca Baca, the 2001 Hispanic Heritage Award Honoree for Education, is the creator of some of the most reknown murals in the United States.

Ms. Baca has been involved in the art community in California for many years. Serving as the Artistic Director of the Social and Public Art Resource Center in Venice, California, she has worked with hundreds of fellow artists and community members to create her works. Ms. Baca has also taught studio art at the University of California since 1980.

Perhaps her most recognizable work is the Great Wall of Los Angeles, which is a half-mile mural representation of Ethnic peoples in California through the 1950’s. The Great Wall took seven years to complete with the help of more than 700 participants from 1976-1984. In its entirety, the mural spans a massive 2435 feet and is accompanied by bike trails and a park in the San Fernando Valley. The mural has won international acclaim and attracts thousands of visitors each year.In addition to creating her own murals, Ms. Baca has also helped to found numerous organizations and mural projects including: the City of Los Angeles Mural Program and the Great Walls Unlimited: Neighborhood Pride Program.

Ms. Baca has received numerous honors and her work has been exhibited internationally. Currently her work can be seen at the National Museum of American Art at the Smithsonian and the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford, Connecticut.