LA County declares Robert Vargas Day to honor prolific muralist
Published January 13, 2026, 11:23 PM
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously declared Jan. 24 Robert Vargas Day, honoring the legendary Boyle Heights artist and muralist whose works cover multiple building facades in the L.A. area, including his recent âFrom the Ashesâ work honoring the fire-ravaged Altadena community.
âRobert has created numerous iconic public artworks from Athens to Tokyo, including murals that reflect the surrounding community members, their cultural heritage, and historic moments, contributing significantly to LAâs reputation as a global center for public art and creative expression,â according to the motion by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis. âAs an artist, Robert has a unique ability to communicate emotions and help people feel seen, as well as giving back to communities and inspiring future generations. He works without the use of grids or preliminary sketches, relying instead on reference images viewed periodically to ensure accuracy in proportion and detail, including the precise rendering of facial features.â
Muralist Robert Vargas works on a the Shohei Ohtani mural, âL.A. Rising,â on the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani mural titled âLA Risingâ on the side of the Miyako hotel by Boyle Heights artist Robert Vargas along 1st street in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
Artist Robert Vargas is seen during the unveiling ceremony of his âNourishing the Communityâ mural at Project Angel Foodâs Vine Street headquarters in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Artist Robert Vargasâ âNourishing the Communityâ mural depicting a goddess of maize with hands of a street vendor is unveiled at Project Angel Foodâs Vine Street headquarters in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Richard Ayoub, CEO of Project Angel Food, and artist Robert Vargas pose with volunteer Mia McGovern, staff members Laura Martin, Veniece Hobby and Carla Ozuna, who are all on Vargasâ âNourishing the Communityâ mural at Project Angel Foodâs Vine Street headquarters in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 during the muralâs unveiling. The center of the mural depicts a goddess of maize who has hands of a street vendor. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Activist Edward James Olmos takes a selfie with Francisco Perez, of Project Angel Food, during the unveiling ceremony of artist Robert Vargasâ âNourishing the Communityâ mural at Project Angel Foodâs Vine Street headquarters in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. The mural depicts a goddess of maize who has hands of a street vendor. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Artist Robert Vargas signs his âNourishing the Communityâ mural depicting a goddess of maize with hands of a street vendor during the unveiling at Project Angel Foodâs Vine Street headquarters in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Yankuititl Aztec Dance Group performs a ceremony in front of Fair Oaks Burgers before Artist Robert Vargas unveils his mural, âFrom the Ashesâ on Saturday, June 7, 2025 in Altadena. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Artist Robert Vargas acknowledges the crowd on Saturday, June 7, 2025. after signing his mural, âFrom the Ashes,â that pays homage to Altadena fire victims. The painting adorns the Fair Oaks Burgers building, the only remaining structure on the block that wasnât destroyed by the Eaton fire.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Robert Vargas is painting his brand new mural at Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena California on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.. The mural is inspired by the Eaton Fire survivors and aims to bring more hope in the community. (Connor Terry, Contributing Photographer)
Robert Vargas doing an interview for ABC7 on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Fair Oaks Burger. Talking about his new collaboration project with the restaurant. Robert Vargas is painting a mural on the side of there restaurant. The Eaton Fire survivors is the inspiration of the mural. (Connor Terry, Contributing Photographer)
Shohei Ohtani mural titled âLA Risingâ on the side of the Miyako hotel by Boyle Heights artist Robert Vargas along 1st street in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County Register/ SCNG)
West Los Angeles Dodger fans, Espies and Pat Gamboa take a selfie at the new Shohei Ohtani mural created by Robert Vargas, âL.A. Rising,â on the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo, on Thursday, March 28, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Muralist Robert Vargas works on a new Shohei Ohtani mural, âL.A. Rising,â on the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Muralist Robert Vargas works on a new Shohei Ohtani mural, âL.A. Rising,â on the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Eddie Van Halen fans come out in full rock-n-roll gear on the late musicianâs 66th birthday to see the finished mural by renowned artist Robert Vargas at the Guitar Center on Tuesday, Jan 26, 2021 in Hollywood CA. The mural depicts Eddie Van Halen playing his iconic âFrankenstratâ guitar. Vargas donated his time and talent to design and create the mural. (Photo by Gene Blevins/Contributing photographer)
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Muralist Robert Vargas works on a the Shohei Ohtani mural, âL.A. Rising,â on the Miyako Hotel in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The motion recognized Vargas for his artistic achievements but also for his contributions to community programs and charitable work.
Vargasâ work can be seen around the L.A. area, including his massive tribute to Shohei Ohtani in Little Tokyo, âFernandomaniaâ in Boyle Heights and his recently unveiled âNourishing the Communityâ mural on the Vine Street headquarters of Project Angel Food.
Following the Eaton fire last January, Vargas created a âFrom the Ashesâ mural at Fair Oaks Burger in Altadena.
âAs Altadena residents and business owners alike travel up and down this thoroughfare, Robertâs mural is a constant reminder that disasters do not define us and to keep persevering,â Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement after the vote. âI deeply appreciate his dedication to our residents and am proud to celebrate the lasting impact he has made on our cultural landscape.â
Vargas is currently working on a mural at Fifth and Hill streets in downtown Los Angeles, which is expected to set a Guinness World Record for the largest mural by a single artist. The 60,000-square-foot work, titled âAngelus,â is described as a tribute to Los Angeles and its residents.
âI want to thank my family, my supporters near and far, especially Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Supervisor Hilda Solis and just everyone whoâs been a part of my journey,â Vargas said in social media video posted prior to the ceremony. âThis is truly a historic moment, not only for my and my work, but also for the collective of art here in Los Angeles.â
The county proclamation will designed Jan. 24 of every year as Robert Vargas Day in the county. The city of Los Angeles previously proclaimed Sept. 8 as Robert Vargas Day in the city, in perpetuity.
The city has also designated the intersection of Pennsylvania and Boyle avenues in the Boyle Heights area as Robert Vargas Square.