In Memphis, art isn’t only found in galleries; it’s on the sides of buildings, tucked into alleyways, and stretched across neighborhood blocks. Murals have become part of the city’s storytelling tradition, reflecting its history, pride, challenges, and joy. From heartfelt Civil Rights tributes to playful bursts of color that brighten your morning commute, these public works speak volumes.
While we could spend weeks exploring a comprehensive list of beautiful Memphis murals, we’ve grouped a few highlights by the stories they tell.
CIVIL RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Nowhere is the power of public art more evident than in Memphis’s Civil Rights murals. These works don’t just beautify the city; they challenge viewers to remember, reflect, and act.
I Am a Man
This iconic mural is located on South Main Street in Downtown Memphis and pays tribute to the 1968 Sanitation Workers Strike. Artist Marcellous Lovelace with BLK75 created the eye-catching colors and graffiti style.
History of Civil Rights in Memphis
Soaring six stories high, this mural offers a visual narrative of the city’s civil rights journey, paying homage to Ida B. Wells, Beale Street Baptist Church, Robert Church, and much more.
Upstanders
Created by Memphis artists Cedar Nordbye and Nelson Gutierrez, the Upstanders mural honors extraordinary Memphians who helped create a more inclusive, just, and compassionate Memphis. You can find it on the Facing History and Ourselves Building on Huling Avenue, near the National Civil Rights Museum.
LOCAL CULTURE & NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE
These colorful displays capture hometown pride and that intangible sense of place.
Broad Avenue Water Tower
The popular and easily recognizable water tower mural soars 150 feet above Broad Avenue, with bright bands of color representing Broad Avenue’s multicultural neighborhood.
A Journey Through Greatness
Commissioned by UrbanArt, four murals grace the interior of the Orange Mound Community Center. Using information from neighborhood residents, artist Vitus Shell brought the historic and diverse area to vibrant life, depicting different facets of the Orange Mound community, including people, schools, and sports.
Overton Square-Redux
Combining style and whimsy, artist David Lynch offers a fun look at a classic Memphis location. Overton Square-Redux captures the local establishments, experiences, and landmarks that Memphians and visitors love!
An Afternoon in Uptown
Located on North 3rd Street, this delightful mural illustrates Uptown’s progress through a few local landmarks, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Neighborhood Christian Center, Roxy’s Grocery, and much more. The artist, Carl Scott, was a longtime resident of this quintessential Memphis neighborhood.
MUSIC & MEMPHIS ICONS
Few cities are as defined by music the way Memphis is, so it’s no surprise that musicians and musical landmarks are some of the most beloved subjects of local murals.
The Memphis Poetry Panels
This stretch of South Main features eight popular songs about Memphis, with lyrics stenciled in white on a bright red background. Beloved musicians with a history in Memphis share their passion about the city, including Roy Acuff, Big Bill Broonzy, Jerry Lee Lewis, Junior Parker, and Rufus Thomas.
W.C. Handy
This mural, located under the South Main overpass, pays tribute to the “Father of the Blues,” whose influence reverberates through Memphis and beyond.
Jay
Lance Turner’s bold, contemporary portrait “Jay” captures the creative energy of Memphis grunge musician Jimmy Lindsey. Created as part of the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Mosaic project, the mural can be found at the intersection of Vance Avenue and South Main.
St. Blues Guitar
Artist Brandon Marshall celebrates the craftsmanship behind Memphis’s musical instruments in this cool depiction of a St. Blues original guitar played by BB King. It is fittingly located in the Edge District’s St. Blues Guitar Workshop on Marshall Avenue.
NATURE & ABSTRACT BEAUTY
Not every mural carries a message. Some brighten a block, inspire imagination, or surprise a pedestrian on an ordinary day.
Untitled by Birdcap
No list of abstract murals would be complete without a creation by Birdcap (artist Michael Roy). Combining his signature flair for combining comic artistry, folklore, and philosophy, this untitled work is located at Eclectic Eye in Cooper-Young.
Big Green Murals
Big Green commissioned fun and fresh murals for learning gardens in several Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Each mural portrays fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, and bees, using vibrant colors and dynamic designs to draw students into the gardens and encourage them to enjoy and learn from them.
Mobility Center
The Downtown Memphis Mobility Center is more than just your run-of-the-mill parking and transportation hub! The seven-story facility features murals by 16 local artists, one on each floor.
There are hundreds of murals in Memphis, so this is just a small sampling. Head on out and find a few favorites of your own!
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