STREET ART HAS BEEN booming recently in Milwaukee. Inspired by the protests and the pandemic new works have sprung up around the city, making its street art culture more vibrant than ever before. Take a look at 10 of Milwaukee’s most poignant and beautiful murals, old and new.
FOLLOW ALONG WITH THIS INTERACTIVE MAP
George Floyd and Dontre Hamilton Mural
N. HOLTON STREET AND NORTH AVENUE | ARTISTS: CHRIS BURKE AND OTHERS
A tribute to the current antiracism movement, this new mural features George Floyd, who died at the hands of police in Minneapolis in May, and Dontre Hamilton, who was shot by police in Red Arrow Park in 2014.
“Frontline Heroes”
6TH STREET AND LINCOLN AVENUE | ARTIST MAURICIO RAMIREZ
Prolific street artist Mauricio Ramirez created this mural in April in honor of the medical workers on the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus.
Breonna Taylor Mural
E. LOCUST AVENUE AND N. HOLTON STREET | ARTISTS: RUBEN ALCANTAR AND CHRIS BURKE
This new mural is in honor of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old Louisville woman who was shot by police in March while sleeping in her home.
“The Unsung Hero”
THE P.H. DYE HOUSE AT 320 E. BUFFALO ST. | ARTIST: CASE MACLAIM
Renowned German muralist Case Maclaim brought his talents to Milwaukee with this piece honoring the unrecognized working-class women of the city’s past and present.
Civil Rights Mural
ALLEY OF LOCUST AVENUE AND HOLTON STREET | MULTIPLE ARTISTS
This mural was coordinated via a public Facebook event, where any and all volunteer artists were invited to paint their tribute to civil rights leaders. There’s too much art to be captured in one photo, so be sure to check this one out.
“We Are In This Together” Mural
ALLEY BETWEEN HI MOUNT BOULEVARD AND 49TH STREET | ARTIST: FRED KAEMS
Artist Fred Kaems made his own garage into a canvas to promote a message of unity during the pandemic. You can see this one while driving down W. Lloyd Street.
Black Cat Alley
BEHIND THE ORIENTAL THEATRE BETWEEN E. KENILWORTH AND E. IVANHOE PLACES | MULTIPLE ARTISTS
The epicenter of Milwaukee’s street art, this two-block alley features a collection of 24 murals by 21 artists from around the country and the world. It’s always growing, so keep an eye out for new work and events.
“Mural of Peace”
611 W. NATIONAL AVE IN WALKER’S POINT | ARTIST: REYNALDO HERNANDEZ
An iconic Milwaukee mural painted in 1993, this work of art is meant to promote peace and unity between the diverse people of the city and of the world.
“Peacemakers”
S. KINNICKINNIC AVENUE, FIRST STREET AND MITCHELL STREET | ARTIST: MILWAUKEE NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL
Painted in the late 1980s, this mural dedicated to advocates for peace still holds up today. It prominently features Milwaukee-based civil rights activists James Groppi.
“Migration”
JEFFERSON STREET PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL | ARTISTS: KATIE BATTEN AND JANSON RAPISARDA (AKA CERA)
This 50-foot tunnel is completely decked out with an immersive mural featuring Milwaukee’s most famous landmarks alongside its flora and fauna, reminding us of everything we love about the city.
