The Neighborhood Guide to Houston Murals
From a Sistine Chapel-inspired mega mural to colorful “love” signs posted in unexpected locations all over the city, Houston's street art scene is as colorful as the city itself.
Even the traffic light utility boxes dress up the urban landscape with the city supported Mini Murals project featuring the work of local artists. Renowned international muralists leave their mark on the city during the biennial HUE Fest, a week-long event of painting, performances, and tours. And Meeting of Styles hosts events in Houston as part of their touring cross-cultural collaborative meetups.
Whether you enjoy old-school graffiti or museum-quality works, explore these neighborhoods to find the best Houston murals and other street art.
EaDo
Home to Graffiti Park, EaDo is a go-to destination for Houston mural sightseeing. At the corner of Leeland and Saint Emanuel streets, walk around the collection of occupied businesses and empty buildings covered in a variety of art forms from wildstyle to wheatpaste. A few long-standing murals remain untouched, while others are short-lived to make way for new arrivals, like the recent works celebrating the Houston Astros 2019 World Series run.
On the first Sunday of the month, Hip Hop Vintage Flea Market takes over the space selling vintage Oiler jackets and retro T-shirts alongside live painting sessions and break dance performances. During the rest of the month, the area is busy with quinceanera photo shoots, tour groups, and local bands filming music videos. Take in all the action while dining al fresco at Leeland House or Around the Corner, whose patios look out at Graffiti Park and the surrounding murals.
Local artist Donkeeboy’s signature pop culture style, which frequently incorporates cultural icons like Andre the Giant and Frida Kahlo, decorates the interior and large beer garden of 8th Wonder Brewery. As the brewery’s resident artist, Donkeeboy designs many of the beer labels and merch.
He and his favorite collaborator and mother, Donkeemom, are responsible for many of the murals adorning the walls of the nearby buildings, including the shout-out to Dallas native and soul singer, Leon Bridges, and Wonder Woman repping 8th Wonder.
Downtown
Commissioned murals reign supreme in the Downtown art scene, where the landscape of high-rise living, corporate skyscrapers, and ample parking lots are ideal for large-scale works. Known for her colorful geometric designs, artist C. Finley collaborated with the Houston Ballet to create “Sky Dance" at 1415 Louisiana St. The mural captures three leaping dancers suspended in mid-air and takes up 30,000 square-feet, making it the largest in the city.
Gonzo 247, Houston’s street art ambassador and founder of Aerosol Warfare, has traveled around the world to recreate versions of his crowd-pleasing “Houston is Inspired” mural near Market Square Park to promote "Visit Houston" campaigns.
Along Main Street is the Art Blocks, a three-block pedestrian plaza featuring temporary art installations, fountains, sculptures, and the Main St. Marquee. This billboard art space overlooking the street rotates through selected murals by Texas artists portraying imagery varying from Houston blues legend Lightnin’ Hopkins to the year of the rooster in the Chinese zodiac.
Every November, the sidewalks and streets surrounding City Hall become the canvas for the annual Via Colori Street Painting Festival.
Montrose
Montrose continues to be one of Houston’s most desirable neighborhoods inside the loop with its real estate inventory mix of cozy bungalows, new construction single-family homes, townhomes, and modern condos. This highly walkable area appeals to a wide range of residents who are drawn to the vibrant blend of dining, shopping, nightlife, cultural, and street art scenes.
Consistently topping the listicles of Houston’s best murals is The Montrose Paint Wall (formerly The Biscuit Wall) at 1435 Westheimer Rd. The colorful wall dripped in paint by local artist Sebastien "Mr. D" Boileau" is the perfect backdrop for a family photo session or new profile pic. Stroll further along this stretch of lower Westheimer to admire the plentiful murals that give the impression it’s required decor for the trendy shops, bars, and restaurants in the area.
Second Ward
As the Second Ward’s convenient location and real estate mix of new luxury townhomes and midcentury single-family homes attract a younger generation of homeowners, the neighborhood’s murals reflect the Hispanic and working-class roots of the area.
A stunning example is the refurbished “Rebirth of Our Nationality” mural at 5800 Canal St. Street artist Gonzo 247 and the original artist, Leo Tanguma, who created the mural in 1973, painted new life into the work representing the struggle of the Mexican-American community.
Papel picado, loteria cards, and nautical elements are all featured in the murals and public art along Navigation Boulevard. This community gathering spot hosts a weekly Sunday farmers market and festivals celebrating holidays like Dia de los Muertos.
Scout out nearby murals showcasing themes of immigration and ancestry with this neighborhood interactive mural map. Or, visit the Talento Bilingue de Houston building covered in inspirational murals, like the city skyline rising post-Hurricane Harvey.
First Ward
With its designation as an Arts and Cultural District and the Sawyer Yards’ creative campus, the First Ward boasts one of the best collections of murals in the city.
In the shadow of the former rice silos turned gallery space, the Art Alley showcases 800 feet of murals by local and international artists. The revamped warehouses and the still-active rail yard create Insta-worthy backgrounds from all angles. Take note to not schedule your photo shoot during the second Saturday of the month, when the alley is transformed into an arts and crafts market.
Seek out more murals in the area on Houston Avenue, where the local community created a mosaic mural from children’s drawings near Bingham Street. A block away, 10,000 water bottles have been transformed into flowers creating the “First Ward is Blooming” art installation. The murals covering the walls of the Station Theater often feature tributes to legends like David Bowie and Gene Wilder or whimsical material like space cats.