TOPANGA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2026) — One year after the devastating Palisades Fire, the Topanga community united for a four-day series of events culminating in a new art installation on the “Great Wall of Topanga.” The permanent memorial honors pioneering hang-glider Arthur Simoneau, who tragically lost his life protecting the home he built, while also paying tribute to local wildlife and habitat destroyed in the blaze. 

WATCH: Lisa Levinson’s Heartfelt Mural Dedication   

Left: Reclaimed tiles found after the fire by Paul Doolin of Topanga Art Tile and Design. Right: Zipora Schultz paints the mural. Photos: In Defense of Animals

A powerful mixed-media mosaic mural now stands as a permanent memorial. Created by Simoneau’s partner, Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director for In Defense of Animals, and painted by artist Zipora Schultz.

The work depicts a hang-glider flying into a deep red and orange sunset, symbolizing Simoneau’s “spiritual flight” from the fire. It serves as a memorial to all victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires. 

Specialty tiles donated by Topanga Art Tile and Design include a heart-shaped Palisades Fire remnant tile and flying animals killed during the inferno. Decorative tiles donated by Malibu Ceramic Works mark the four corners of the painted mural. Photos: In Defense of Animals

To honor wild animals who lost their lives and homes, the mosaic features specialty tiles of a hummingbird and butterfly, and a painted red-tailed hawk soaring alongside the hang-glider. A heart-shaped tile found on Malibu beach, suspected to be a remnant washed down from a home burned in the fire, was donated by Paul Doolin of Topanga Art Tile and Design and placed in the top left corner. The tribute “Fly Free” lifts the mosaic from below.

Arthur’s yoga teacher Douglas Dee places tiles on the mosaic; Arthur’s son Andre Simoneau stands beside the mural; Neighbors Kim Bolanowski, Roxane Berger, and Susan Dumond complete the tiling together. Photos: Joel Harris, In Defense of Animals

Levinson, trained by famed artist Izaiah Zagar, installed the mosaic around the painting. Simoneau’s son Andre, yoga teacher, and neighbors placed tiles around the painting and community members joined to grout the work together, turning the installation into a collective act of healing.

Arthur Simoneau was a calculated risk-taker and pioneer of the sport of hang gliding. His life was chronicled in the Los Angeles Times. In a final tribute in Feb. 2025, his son, Andre dropped Arthur’s ashes over Sylmar from a hang-glider. 

WATCH: Memorial Film & Celebration of Life.

Left: Lisa Levinson works on the mosaic mural tribute to fire victims including her partner, Arthur Simoneau. Right: Arthur Simoneau with his hang glider. Photos: In Defense of Animals 

In a solemn white glove ceremony on Jan. 7, Pali LTRG and Palisades American Legion Post 283 presented American flags to the families of victims. Hang glider pilots attended to honor their long-time friend and looked on as Lisa Levinson and Don and Kim Simoneau received the flag on behalf of Arthur’s son, Andre. 

WATCH: Flag Presentation to Simoneau’s Family

“Tears ran down my face as Arthur’s ex-wife and I each placed a white rose over Arthur’s memorial poster,” said Levinson. “I was grateful that Arthur was included in the ceremony as one of the 12 victims of the Palisades Fire and the only fatality in Topanga. It was incredibly moving to see his brother and veteran Don salute Pali LTRG President and former American Legion Commander Jim Cragg as he bestowed the flag to the family..” 

On Jan 8., In Defense of Animals, Corazon Culture Arts & Resource Center, and Greener Empowerment Foundation co-hosted a spiritual gathering allowing residents to share grief and resilience. 

WATCH: Community Remembrance Circle 

“‘We shake with joy, we shake with grief. What a time they have, these two housed as they are in the same body.’ This quote from Mary Oliver touches my heart so deeply,” said Spiritual Counselor Kamakshi Hart who facilitated the event. “Tears were shed and laughter rang out as a testament to the inborn resilience of our human spirit. The balm of community soothed hearts, brought smiles out from behind the clouds of sadness while hugs and words of love were shared long after we closed our circle. Thanks to Lisa Levinson for her determination to have this opportunity for everyone to receive healing while honoring her own loss and the inspiration of Arthur's life.” 

“The Grieving Circle was Topanga, beautifully in communion,” said Giovanna Brandi, Founder of Corazon Culture Arts & Resource Center.

WATCH: Mosaic Mural Grouting & Completion

“I installed a mosaic mural around a painted mural dedicated to my beloved partner Arthur Simoneau, a trail-blazing hang-glider who sadly died during the Palisades fire,” said Levinson. “On the final day of 2025, his son Andre Simoneau placed tiles in the mosaic on behalf of his dad. I’m grateful to artist Zipora Schulz, who painted the mural and Rick Denman, who granted permission and mounted it on the Great Wall of Topanga. Special thanks to Arthur’s friends and family who helped us finish this healing work.”

Hannah Wear shows community members how to make seed bombs during the Regeneration Celebration. Photos: Greener Empowerment Foundation 

The series concluded with a focus on the future of the land. On Jan. 10, a “Regeneration Celebration” for wildlife habitat was hosted by In Defense of Animals, Corazon Culture Arts & Resource Center, and Greener Empowerment Foundation. The Greener Empowerment Foundation offered warm cider and a seed bomb making workshop. The “bombs” are designed to be thrown into burn scars to control erosion and restore habitat so local animal populations can revive.

“One woman who joined our invitation to make seed bombs was stuck at home, unable to drive because of her severe PTSD from the Palisades Fire since January 7, 2025,” said event co-organizer Hannah Wear of Greener Empowerment Foundation. “Every seed she processed helped her recover. She was transformed. We discussed how important it is for our whole community to take part in the healing. We have to help each other recover, no government hand-out will help. Recovery is about helping your neighbors and sharing the grief and stress that this life changing event has caused. Everyone needs someone to lean on. Bill Withers says it best in his famous song, Lean on Me.”

According to CAL FIRE data, 35 Topanga homes were impacted. The map below shows the destruction with burned structures in red, and major smoke damage in green and black.

Map of Palisades Fire impacts in Topanga. Source: CAL FIRE, adapted to show individual properties by architect Hannah Wear

In Defense of Animals rescued animals and supported recovery efforts during and after the Palisades and Eaton fires. Learn more here.

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CONTACTS

* Lisa Levinson, In Defense of Animals, lisa@idausa.org, 215-620-2130

* Hannah Wear, Greener Empowerment Foundation, hannah@greenerfoundation.org, 541-913-6131

* Giovanna Brandi, Corazon Culture Arts & Resource Center, gio@corazonperformingarts.com, 310-795-1373

* Paul Doolin, Topanga Art Tile, info@topangaarttile.com, 310-455-3359

* Rick Denman, Great Wall of Topanga, 6dayrick@gmail.com 

IMAGES: https://bit.ly/GreatWallPix

VIDEO: Arthur Simoneau’s celebration of life and memorial film https://youtu.be/Sls0_LIyv-I

Mural Contributors (In-Kind Donations): Malibu Ceramic Works, Topanga Art Tile, DIY Home Center Granada Hills, Zipora Schulz, Patrick Robinson, Su Dubrin, Kamakshi Hart.

Lisa Levinson is Campaigns Director of In Defense of Animals and founder of Vegan Spirituality. Arthur Simoneau’s partner for 13 years, Levinson trained as a mosaic artist with famed mosaic muralist Izaiah Zagar of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens. She created over 100 mosaic murals as a community artist prior to directing campaigns at In Defense of Animals. The Topanga mosaic honoring Arthur Simoneau and Los Angeles wildfire victims includes mirror pieces and features psychedelic, multicolored grout in the classic Zagar style.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in California, India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi since 1983. In Defense of Animals’ Sustainable Activism Campaign provides emotional and spiritual tools to help people who help animals. www.idausa.org/SustainableActivism 

Greener Empowerment Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to envision, create, develop, collaborate on, and participate in projects that educate and activate our communities to work together to find equitable, just and responsible pathways forward, with respect for each other and the world that we share. We work towards being a part of the solution to the significant challenges we are facing through cultural events, educational programs, art workshops, and community nature stewardship programs. www.greenerfoundation.org. 

Corazon Culture Arts & Resource Center fosters creative expression through supporting the work of accomplished dancers, musicians, poets, artists, and those immersed in social justice and the transformation/healing arts. www.corazontopanga.com 

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