Same Old Paradise, a 22' x 62' mural painted by Alexis Smith, was commissioned by Brooklyn Museum in 1987 as a temporary installation, after which it was crated and put in storage. It remained rolled-up for thirty years, but became the inspiration for Alexis’ Snake Path, installed at UC San Diego in 1992. Alexis had promised to give the mural to the Stuart Collection, if we could find a wall to accommodate it. Fast-forward to mid-2017 when plans for the North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Community were coming to fruition. A vast wall at a new auditorium would prove to be ideal. We were thrilled, as was Alexis.