GM Oakland Ice Center

As we near the completion of this mural of Alysa Liu on the side of Oakland Ice Center it’s something that hits me on a very deep level. It’s more than just a piece of art—it’s a reflection of years of dedication, growth, and belief.
I remember Alysa as a young kid stepping into the rink, full of potential and just beginning her journey. To now see her honored in this way, on the very building where so much of that journey unfolded, is incredibly powerful. It’s a sense of pride that’s hard to fully capture.
What makes it even more meaningful is the connection to Kristi Yamaguchi. Her championship legacy helped pave the way, and now Alysa’s story stands alongside it—two generations of greatness tied to this same community, this same ice. It’s a reminder that excellence here isn’t accidental; it’s built over time, inspired by those who came before.
This mural isn’t just about Olympic gold medals—it’s about the work behind them. The early mornings, the sacrifices, the unseen moments that define champions. It stands as a symbol to every young skater who walks through these doors that greatness can come from right here.
For me, it’s deeply personal. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Alysa’s journey up close, and to now to see it captured in such a bold, permanent way—it feels like a full-circle moment.

And for Oakland, it means even more. It tells the world what this community can produce. It connects past to present, from Kristi to Alysa, and sends a powerful message to the next generation: this is possible for you too.
Thank you to this incredible artist Julie Engelmann for coming to work with me on this tribute.

Every day is little closer to the final product! Such a beautiful piece!

https://www.instagram.com/stories/artbyjul_/3865880125791736071?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Watch this story by Julie Engelmann on Instagram before it disappears. 4,187 Followers, 1,028 Following, 137 Posts

https://oaklandside.org/2026/03/27/another-alysa-liu-mural-in-oakland-this-one-with-kristi-yamaguchi/

Another Alysa Liu mural in Oakland — this one with Kristi Yamaguchi Muralist Julie Engelmann began work on the mural last week at Oakland Ice Center to celebrate the East Bay's two Asian American gold medalists.

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes, means the world to me.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1494096242724164&id=100063714062825&mibextid=wwXIfr

🎨⛸️ EDGEWORK
📍 Oakland Ice Center
🗓 February 6–27, 2026

The Oakland Ice Center proudly presents EDGEWORK, our first-ever community art exhibition featuring work by 30+ artists from the OIC community, curated by Mia Feuer.

Edgework bridges skating and psychology. On the ice, it’s the mastery of a blade’s edges to create movement, control, and flow. In psychology, it’s the exploration of boundaries between order and chaos. In this exhibition, EDGEWORK becomes a metaphor for navigating identity, emotion, personal growth, and creativity—through life on the ice.

✨ Featuring artists including: Rich O’Toole, Colton Muheim, Viva Caliendo, Anais De Jamblinne, Bryan Goldenberg, Eric Mueller, Sharon Jacobson, Kayla Keller, Blair Menard, Scott Pan, Jordan Albright, Logan Wong, Mia Feuer, Brian Hite, Olin Hite, Aaron Southerland, Danika Gilling, Rosie McFaull, Joe McFaull, Essan Galo, Anissa Deanes, Kim Ayotte, Surjan Singh, John Heine, Doug Heine, Alan Duda, Sonia J, Colden Kimber, Nick Carr, Galileo Roumel, Linda Kallenberger, Randy Dixon, Ricardo Garcia, and Colin Malley.

🖤 About the Curator:
Mia Feuer is a Canadian-born artist with international exhibitions, a tenured Professor of Sculpture at California College of the Arts, and a goalie in OIC’s Beer League Division 9 team, Project Mayhem.

Come experience art inspired by movement, balance, and the edges we skate.