One year after the devastating Palisades Fire, the Topanga community came together to honor both a beloved neighbor and the countless wild animals and habitats lost in the blaze. The four-day series of remembrance events culminated in the unveiling of a striking mosaic mural on the “Great Wall of Topanga,” celebrating the life of visionary hang-glider Arthur Simoneau and the resilience of a community rebuilding together.

Simoneau tragically lost his life while defending the home he built during the wildfire, the only fatality in Topanga. His partner, Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director for In Defense of Animals, co-organized Topanga remembrance events and created the mixed-media mosaic that surrounds a painted mural by artist Zipora Schultz. The artwork depicts a hang-glider soaring into a deep red and orange sunset, symbolizing Simoneau’s “spiritual flight.”

Left: Lisa Levinson and Miguel Trujillo work 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

The mural also honors wild animals killed or displaced in the fire. Tiles featuring a hummingbird, butterfly, and red-tailed hawk reflect the mosaic theme, “Fly Free,” and the animals whose lives and habitats were lost. Community members helped place and grout the tiles together, transforming the installation into a collective act of healing and remembrance.

Completed mural tribute installed on The Great Wall of Topanga in Zagar-style with mirror ribbons and multicolored grout. Photo: In Defense of Animals

Levinson was trained by famed Philadelphia mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar, who recently died. Her friends Miguel Trujillo and Paula Perlman helped to tile and grout most of the mosaic. Simoneau’s son Andre, his yoga teacher, and neighbors placed tiles around the painting in his memory.  

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

In Defense of Animals, Corazon Culture Arts & Resource Center, and Greener Empowerment Foundation co-hosted memorial events that extended beyond art. A community remembrance circle allowed residents to share grief and resilience, while a “Regeneration Celebration” focused on restoring wildlife habitat damaged by the fire. Participants created seed bombs, small balls of soil and native seeds, designed to be tossed into burned areas to help prevent erosion and encourage new plant growth for animals returning to the landscape.

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

These gatherings highlighted the power of community care during times of loss. By honoring those who died, acknowledging wild animals who suffered, and working together to restore habitat, Topanga residents demonstrated how healing can take root even after devastating disasters.

Left: Lisa Levinson with Spiritual Counselor Kamakshi Hart, who led the Community Remembrance Circle. Right: Participants passed a crystal heart around the circle as they shared wildfire stories of loss and healing. Photos: Kamakshi Hart, In Defense of Animals 

For animal advocates, it was also a reminder that protecting wild animals, supporting one another, and rebuilding ecosystems are deeply connected acts of compassion.

Animals are often the forgotten victims of wildfires, but here are some we were involved with saving. Thank you for all you do to make sure they are helped and remembered.

Please support our efforts to protect animals like them so we’re prepared for the next wildfire: www.idausa.org/LAfire