7 stops along Milwaukee’s mural trail

There are tons of murals in Milwaukee, but here are seven of the best. 

In recent years, Milwaukee’s streets and alleys—as well as the sides of buildings—have exploded into an open-air art scene. Compared to museums and other indoor cultural centers where visits confined to strict hours, these are available any time of the day—and completely free to see.

For a handy guide to help design your mural trail, check out the Milwaukee Mural Map. However, here are a few of the highlights and examples of artists who are doing more than beautifying a wall: in some cases, they’re making a statement about how to better our world.

1. Black Cat Alley

Ivanhoe Place and E. North Ave.

Black Cat Alley debuted on the East Side in 2016. Although the murals change often, the common denominator is that they are wild splashes of color that brighten up what would otherwise be a drab alley spanning the equivalent of one block. Among the artists whose work has appeared here is Jeremy Novy, a Wisconsin native and National Endowment for the Arts grant recipient now living in California and known nationwide for his koi-fish stencils in urban settings.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Hansen.

2. iLLustria Salon

1200 S. 1st St.

A mural by Milwaukee native Zenon Castillo appears above the parking lot at this Walkers Point beauty academy along bustling S. First Street. Highly abstract and wildly colorful, the artwork portrays a woman with long, wavy hair. At a place where people come to receive services that make them look and feel beautiful, the mural serves as an inspiring view upon arrival. 

Photo courtesy of Kristine Hansen.

3. Outpost Natural Foods

2626 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

This 54-year-old natural-foods cooperative grocer has several locations, but only one (Bay View) has a moral painted by local artist Nova Czarnecki. Linking back to the co-op’s mission, which is to support farmers with fair wages, she painted a portrait of Indian tea farmer Ranjana Maurya. 

Photo courtesy of Kristine Hansen.

4. Giannis Mural

600 E. Wisconsin Ave.

Known as “the Greek Freak” around Milwaukee and also to NBA fans, Greek-Nigerian Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo popped up in a downtown mural Mauricio Ramirez painted on a three-story building. Naturally, he’s wearing his jersey. The 6’11” forward is already tall, but the mural’s size (53.5’ x 56.5’) makes him seem even taller.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Hansen.

5. “Frontline Heroes”

600 W. Lincoln

Ramirez is a highly prolific muralist with projects across the country, which is why he’s featured more than once on this list! With roots in Milwaukee and Chicago, another one of his Milwaukee designs is in the city’s Lincoln Village neighborhood on the South Side. Created during the pandemic, it was painted in honor of healthcare workers who put themselves on the line to care for those who were inflicted with COVID-19. You can find it across from the Basilica of Saint Josaphat.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Hansen.

6. “Whaling Commuters”

Long-time Milwaukeeans already know the sad story that preceded the current, very small mural you’ll find at the Kilbourn tunnel entrance along I-43 downtown. In 1997, Robert Wyland (yes, the famous one!) was commissioned to create a 76’ x 37’ mural depicting sea life, as part of his “Whaling Wall” national series. It adorned a parking garage as part of the Milwaukee County Courthouse Annex and was visible to motorists driving south on I-43. That is, until the building was demolished in 2006 to rebuild the Marquette Interchange—and only this portion of it was saved.

7. The Highbury Pub

2322 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

This Bay View bar is a staple for viewing soccer games live. In 2020, the second story of the building in which this bar lies became the canvas for two artists: Ruben Alcantar (painter) and Jeff Redmon (designer). The work is in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of police officers as he cried out “I Can’t Breathe.” That same message, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, are in the mural.

Photo courtesy of Kristine Hansen.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.