Artists and friends add an image to the Great Wall of Topanga to honor resident Arthur Simoneau
Published January 9, 2026, 11:29 PM
Artists, residents and friends are adding a new image to the historical âGreat Wall of Topangaâ in Topanga Canyon, to honor resident Arthur Simoneau, a pioneering hang-glider who lost his life in his home in Topanga during the Palisades fire a year ago.
Simoneauâs partner, Lisa Levinson, said the mosaic mural is dedicated to Simoneau âwho died in the Palisades fire protecting the home he built.â And it also is dedicated to âthe people and animals who lost their lives, homes and property in the blaze.â
Lisa Levinson has been working on a mural along Topanga Canyon Blvd in honor of her neighbor Arthur Simoneau who died during the Palisades Fire in 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Volunteers work on a mural along Topanga Canyon Blvd on Friday, January 9, 2025 in Topanga. The mural is in honor of their neighbor Arthur Simoneau who died during the Palisades Fire in 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lisa Levinson in front of a mural along Topanga Canyon Blvd on Friday, January 9, 2025 in Topanga. The mural is in honor of her neighbor Arthur Simoneau who died during the Palisades Fire in 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Volunteers work on a mural along Topanga Canyon Blvd on Friday, January 9, 2025 in Topanga. The mural is in honor of their neighbor Arthur Simoneau who died during the Palisades Fire in 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lisa Levinson works on a mural along Topanga Canyon Blvd on Friday, January 9, 2025 in Topanga. The mural is in honor of their neighbor Arthur Simoneau who died during the Palisades Fire in 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Lisa Levinson has been working on a mural along Topanga Canyon Blvd in honor of her neighbor Arthur Simoneau who died during the Palisades Fire in 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Levinson, campaign director at In Defense of Animals, said Simoneau was âa hang glider and free spirit who loved to soar with the hawks on the wind.â The mural depicts him flying toward the sunset into the great beyond.
She added that Simoneauâs son, Andre, visited and placed tiles on the wall in honor of his father. And Simoneauâs friends and neighbors helped âtile and grout this mural as a tribute.â
