5 Cities in the USA with Fascinating Street Art
Travel to cities around the USA, and there’s one thing you might notice that many have in common – colorful street art covering the empty sides of buildings and alleyways. Whether it’s a giant mural on the side of an old warehouse, or a colorful alleyway wall filled with local & cultural icons like the one outside of DC’s Ben’s Chili Bowl, one thing is for sure, street art has become more mainstream. In many places, organized street art/mural campaigns have been started in the hopes of revitalizing parts of downtown areas that have been subject to urban decay. Much like the Federal Art Project (FAP) of the Works Progress Administration that was funded to assist struggling artists during the Great Depression (resulting in over 100,000 murals and paintings mostly inside buildings), city mural projects are being used to bring life and visitors back to the city. I admit that it wasn’t until I started regularly participating in the monthly Street Art Chat on Twitter, did I really open my eyes and truly appreciate some of the amazing pieces of street art that I’ve encountered. Plus searching for street art is a fun thing to do with teens on vacation. So journey along as I share some favorite street art found in 5 cities from Miami to New York city, along with a few pieces of bonus street art from Hawaii.
*This post was updated October, 2022
*This post was updated October, 2022
Wynwood – Miami
A few years ago, as we were heading from Miami to the Florida Keys, a family member who lives in the Miami area suggested we drive through the Wynwood neighborhood and check out the street art. This was my first major introduction to street art before I really even knew much about it, so honestly at the time I didn’t fully appreciate the talent and creativity that was found on what seemed like almost every wall in the Wynwood neighborhood. Visitors will now find over 80,000 square feet of walls covered with graffiti and street art by artists that represent 16 countries and counting. Credit goes to the late Tony Goldman, who had the vision in 2009 to transform a warehouse district into what it is today. With my new street art obsession, I can’t wait to go back and re-visit the area.
Washington, DC
The streets of DC are filled with history, interesting architecture and plenty of street art! One of the things I love is finding so much street art that embraces the local history and culture of the area. Many are the result of the MuralsDC project, which to date claims around 75 murals across the city. The project was created in 2007 as a way to positively engage youth by teaching art techniques while promoting respect for property, both public and private. I mentioned the famous mural outside of Ben’s Chili Bowl, which I saw for the first time last summer, just months after it was unveiled. It’s formally titled The Torch, and features 16 prominent African Americans including several local figures. Within a few block radius of Ben’s Chili Bowl in the U Street corridor, you’ll find several other murals that bring to life some of the early history of DC. All over town there are murals to be found, can’t wait to go on my next street art adventure. Besides finding street art, be sure to read In the City: 3 Interesting Things to Do in DC
New York City
Sometimes you can stare at a piece of street art and try to figure out the message the artist was trying to convey, while other times, you take one look and it just makes you smile. That’s what happened when we came upon the colorful Audrey of Mulberry, by artist Tristan Eaton in the Little Italy section of New York City. The 2013 creation came about as part of the non-profit L.I.S.A. Project (Little Italy Street Art Project) – a way to bring together artists to create a mural district in Manhattan. Now visitors can find murals not just in Little Italy but all over Lower Manhattan. Free Tours by Foot is a good resource that details several graffiti and street art tours offered around the city.
Richmond, Virginia
Head to the vibrant capital city of Richmond for street art and you won’t be disappointed. I can only say that I got a small taste of the street art scene during a day trip last year, and am looking forward to more exploration this summer. In 5 years time, the Richmond Mural Project and the RVA Street Art Festival have led to the creation of 100 murals scattered around town. While you are checking out the street art scene, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about some of the unique neighborhoods that help give Richmond its personality. Here’s how we made the most out of a day trip to Richmond.
Columbia, South Carolina
Street art often draws you into the picture, and Tunnelvision in Columbia has to be one of the most powerful pieces to accomplish this. Fortunately, the mural is tucked away safely at the end of a parking lot so no one is tempted to drive through it, but when you stand in front of Tunnelvision, it’s easy to get caught up in the realistic nature of the piece.The artist, Blue Sky, is a South Carolina native, who initially tried several times to get approval for a mural from the Arts Commission. I find it interesting that at the other end of the parking lot is his Busted Plug Plaza, with a 40 foot tall fire hydrant. That project took roughly 14 months to complete. Fun Fact from the Blue Sky Gallery – the giant hydrant was designed to withstand a direct hit from a tornado – let’s hope that never happens!. Read more about street art and find out what else there is to do during a weekend in Columbia in 7 Fun Things to Do in Columbia South Carolina.
Other Cities for Finding Great Street Art
I still have a long list of cities that I need to visit (or revisit just for street art). More and more I keep hearing about the street art scene in Denver, Colorado, so I’m excited to get out there soon to see for myself. There’s also plenty of street art to be found in cities like Nashville, Austin, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Boston, among others. To find more great street art, head over to Pinterest, where you can follow the familyTravelsUSA Street Art Around the USA board. Learn more about the street art chat community and follow along on Instagram. You might be surprised to uncover something fabulous right in your own backyard.
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