A vibrant new mural featuring Olympic gold medal figure skaters Alysa Liu and Kristi Yamaguchi is nearing completion at the Oakland Ice Center, with artist Julie Engelmann drawing inspiration from Liu's performances. This is one of at least three prominent murals celebrating Liu in Oakland, reflecting her significant impact on the sport and her local ties.
A drone view of artist Julie Engelmann ’s nearly-completed mural of Olympic gold medal figure skaters Alysa Liu and Kristi Yamaguchi at the Oakland Ice Center in Oakland , Calif., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Engelmann, of Half Moon Bay, has worked on the mural since late March. Didn’t get an email? How to find out if you were picked for the first LA28 Olympics ticket dropTransgender women athletes banned from female Olympic events by new IOC policyIn addition to artist Julie Engelmann’s project at the Oakland Ice Center, there are at least two other prominent murals honoring 2026 Olympic double gold medalist Liu. Among those is a 15-foot piece byat Telegraph and 43rd Avenues in the Temescal district, and the other by artist Tre Sorensen at the Providence Athletic Club at Market and 22nd Streets in West Oakland. Former child figure skater and surfer Engelmann, of Half Moon Bay, was so inspired by Liu’s Olympic performance that she decided to commemorate it with a giant mural of Liu and fellow 1992 gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi on the outside wall of the Oakland Ice Center, where both skaters have trained. Liu has trained there since she was 5, and Yamaguchi did after turning pro. Engelmann began the nearly 100-foot-wide mural in late March. Both passersby and students at the Oakland School for the Arts across the street have been cheering her on during the process. So has her mom Kim, also a former figure skater, who’s been stopping by to see her daughter in action. “I thought her performance was really inspiring. She brought a lot of fun and an art practice, rather than the high-pressure culture that skating is,” Engelmann said. Artist Julie Engelmann, of Half Moon Bay, works on her mural of Olympic gold medal figure skaters Alysa Liu and Kristi Yamaguchi at the Oakland Ice Center in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Engelmann has worked on the mural since late March and it will be done this week. Oakland Ice Center general manager Glenn Martin and Engelmann worked together on the initial design that she came up with, which the San Jose Sharks had to sign off on as well as the city, since Shark’s Ice now owns the center. “Julie approached us and I wanted to do something with all of the other murals popping up. I wanted to do something that was grand and true to where Alysa comes from,” Martin said. “It’s been amazing to watch her create it.”“She was just a bubbly kid who was here every single day. She’s always been a really strong skater and complete jumper and it’s been pretty impressive this year. She’s doing it her way and that’s fun,” Martin said. “We’re all very proud of her and I’m happy that myself and my staff get to be part it.”in Colma, Pacifica, Daly City and Half Moon Bay. She said that both the Sharks and Ice Center management were excited about the artwork. “I saw this big wall and got the ball rolling and made it happen,” Engelmann said. “I’m honored to do it.” Artist Julie Engelmann, of Half Moon Bay, adjusts her lift as she works on her mural of Olympic gold medal figure skaters Alysa Liu and Kristi Yamaguchi at the Oakland Ice Center in Oakland, Calif., on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Engelmann has worked on the mural since late March and it’s nearly complete. Artist Julie Engelmann, of Half Moon Bay, works on her mural of Olympic gold medal figure skaters Alysa Liu and Kristi Yamaguchi at the Oakland Ice Center in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Engelmann has worked on the mural since late March and it will be done this week. Artist Julie Engelmann, of Half Moon Bay, works on her mural of Olympic gold medal figure skaters Alysa Liu and Kristi Yamaguchi at the Oakland Ice Center in Oakland, Calif., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Engelmann has worked on the mural since late March and it will be done this week. A toddler died after a foster care placement. Now Santa Clara County’s child welfare system is under scrutiny — again A toddler died after a foster care placement. Now Santa Clara County’s child welfare system is under scrutiny — againHarriette Cole: They act like my mom was the other womanMiss Manners: People look at me funny when I introduce my sister 'You're dirty and you stink': Witness reveals why a Fremont auto shop worker allegedly killed irate customerInvestor buys former San Jose men's bathhouse site as prices stay low
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