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waynebomberger · 6 years ago

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A Work of Street Art: The Best Murals in Nashville

As Nashville continues to grow, so does its street art scene. And the more I deviate from my normal route in Nashville—thanks, traffic!—the more I see bold, new murals popping up daily. I absolutely love it. They’re unavoidable, they’re stunning, and they really dress the place us.

I’ve spent the past several years photographing every mural I’ve found. This is an exhaustive list of murals we’ve tracked down in every corner of Nashville, but my no means all of them, as street artists are adding to Music City’s cultural fabric daily thanks in part to creative pioneers like the Nashville Walls Project, which has been connecting both local and international artists with building owners for a handful of years.

Still, whether you’re a local looking for a Spring Break staycation idea or traveling around Music City’s many neighborhoods on your next weekend getaway, I hope you’ll use this handy map as your guide—and drop descriptions of any murals you find that I may have missed in the comments so I can add them accordingly.

Note: This post was last updated in March 2019.

Germantown

The neighborhood I spend most of my time in thanks to my yoga studio’s location is also one that’s quite walkable and boasts a growing number of restaurants. Park your car near Werthan Lofts and hit up these walls and murals by foot.

Rolf & Daughters wall, artist: Shantell Martin

700 Taylor St. at 7th Avenue North

Waves mural, artists: Eastside Murals

5th Avenue North and Monroe Street

Nashville scenes, artist: unknown

Rosa L Parks Boulevard and Taylor Street, across from Werthan Lofts

Saint Stephen (previously Mop | Broom), artist: Nathan Brown

1300 3rd Ave. N

Kindness Is, artist: Rebekah & Sarah

1120 4th Ave. N (on the side of Juice Bar Germantown)

Beethoven graffiti, artist: Blek Le Rat

(on the side of Barista Parlor x Germantown)

Marathon Village

My friend Adrien Saporiti (formerly of DCXV Industries) is the brains behind the iconic “I Believe in Nashville” mural, which has been posted more than one million times from seven different continents and which you can now see in Marathon Village, Riverside Village and in 12South. I prefer the Marathon Village location as it’s usually devoid of large crowds (though parking is tricky), plus you can visit Nelson’s Greenbrier and Corsair distilleries while there.

I Believe in Nashville murals, artist: Adrien Saporiti

Clinton Street, 625 Main St. and 2702 12th Ave. S

Jefferson Street Corridor

For those interested in Civil Rights history, there are some fascinating pieces along Jefferson near the Tennessee State University campus, particularly beneath the I-40 underpass.

Green Fleet Bicycle Shop mural, artist: Dough Joe/Yusef Hubb

934 Jefferson St.

Gateway to Heritage murals, artists: various

Jefferson Street beneath I-40

blues singers mural, artist: unknown

Jefferson Street between 26th and 27th Avenues

Elks Lodge mural, artist: Dough Joe/Yusef Hubb

2614 Jefferson St.

The Gulch

The “Wings mural” as many call it became the first conversation starter in the Gulch, but a number of bright, splashy creations have joined the fray this year so it’s worth strolling down 11th Avenue South to see else what you may find.

#WhatLiftsYou Nashville Wings mural, artist: Kelsey Montague

11th Avenue South (near Biscuit Love/behind Taziki’s)

Google Fiber mural in the Gulch, artist: Chris Zidek

118 12th Ave. N (on the side of Whiskey Kitchen)

The Nashville Walls Project, artists: Ian Ross, Jason Woodside

11th Avenue South and Laurel Street

12th and Porter mural, artist: Kim Kennedy

114 12th Ave. N

Patagonia mural, artist: Nathan Brown

601 Overton St. (side of Patagonia)

Note: The addition of Patagonia replaced this mural, which was one of my all-time favorites and a collaboration between Nathan Brown and Chris Zidek. I am happy, however, that Patagonia kept the general theme of the mural and also hired the same artist to do it!

Plaza Artist Materials mural, artist: Maggie Sanger

633 Middleton St.

Country music icon murals (Dolly, Johnny, Loretta, etc.), artist: unknown

711 6th Ave. S (on the back of Ed’s Supply Company)

8th Avenue South + Wedgewood Houston

I predict this area rife in artist galleries and studios will be the next big neighborhood for murals if zoning codes don’t prevent them, but for now, you really have to go hunting to find them.

Pastel geometrics mural, artist: unknown

429B Houston St. (patio of Jackalope Brewing Company’s Ranch)

#OleAllDay Tennessee Tristar mural, artist: unknown

462 Humphreys St. (on the side of Ole Rights Management)

Life Can Be Sweet mural, artist: Susanna Chapman

1512 8th Ave. S (side of Baked on 8th)

Hillsboro Village

Hillsboro Village is changing dramatically; it’s now easier to arrive on foot than find parking. But if you can nab a coveted spot, there’s a paid lot behind Pancake Pantry just off Belcourt Avenue (be sure and get a ticket before you leave your car as meter maids here are brutal!). An hour is all you need to wander this small area on the Vanderbilt campus and snap a couple shots of its walls.

Hillsboro Village dragon mural, artists: David Glick, Adam Randolph

2102 Belcourt Ave. (across from the Belcourt Theatre)

Drippy Lips mural, artist: Donald “Drawbertson” Robertson

1814 21st Ave. S (on the side of UAL)

12South

12South is another one of those highly walkable ‘hoods with murals tucked around every corner. Park on one of the side streets—just make sure it’s not a residential-only parking area, as you will get a ticket—and walk from one length at Sevier Park to the other at 12South Flats.

Nashville at Heart rainbow mural (former), artists: Eastside Murals

2705 12th Ave. S

Note: This has now been replaced with this Nashville #PeaceLoveGoodDeeds mural instead.

Draper James wall, artist: unknown

2608 12th Ave. S

12South flowers mural, artist: unknown

2900 12th Ave. S (the side of Green Pea Salon)

Make Music Not War mural, artist: Relax Max

2902 12th Ave. S (the side of Epice, across from Green Pea Salon)

Halycon Bike Shop mural, artist: Aaron Martin

2802 12th Ave. S

Rivive! 12South, artist: Mobe Oner

2814 12th Ave. S

12South graffiti, artist: unknown

12th Avenue South and Elmwood Avenue (photo credit: Joe Hendricks)

Charlotte Ave./Sylvan Park

Many of the murals along Charlotte Avenue are located along one stretch installed by Off the Wall Charlotte, a project backed by the Greater Nashville Arts & Business Council with several corporate sponsors. They’re a bit tricky to reach by foot, so I recommend parking in the lot in front of AVO and crossing the street at the traffic light with your photographer poised on the other side of the busy road.

Avocado mural, artist: unknown

3 City Ave. (side of AVO)