Muralist Juan Navarro has spent his career taking inspiration from the many facets of Riverside’s community. His latest work adds UC Riverside to that list, showcasing iconic images of the campus.

Navarro created the mural in January for the Altura Credit Union branch on University Avenue, on a wall next to the teller windows. The bank, which has UCR students and employees among its customers, wanted artwork that reflected the community, he said.

The 15-foot by 12-foot mural in hues of orange, blue, and green acrylic paint features the bell tower, the UCR sign, citrus trees, and the mountains behind campus with the “C” sign. It also includes some of downtown Riverside’s buildings and a large palm tree as part of a symmetrical design.

“Even though this piece reflects UCR, it also reflects like the community around it,” Navarro said.

The orange glow is meant to provide a sunset feel to create a gentle, soothing atmosphere, he said.

A professional muralist for a decade, Navarro has created over 30 murals, a third of them in the eastside Riverside neighborhood where he grew up. He is currently the artist-in-residence at the Riverside Art Museum and curated an installation at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Culture and Art that opened in early April.

Navarro said he seeks to create art that beautifies public spaces and pays tribute to the community’s culture and history, citing Riverside’s motto as a city of “arts and innovation.”

“Every time I finish a project I feel I’m contributing to that vision,” he said.