Detroit Mural Guide

Detroit is a city full of artists who are finding new outlets for their creative talents. In recent years, one of the most beautiful forms of creative expression used to celebrate Detroit has been through visual art in the form of murals. With our rich legacy of design and innovation, it’s no surprise that we are one of the best cities in the United States to explore street art.

One of the most valuable resources to exploring Detroit's street murals is the Detroit Mural Project created by Viranel Clerard. Since 2015, he has categorized and diligently researched Detroit’s public art on his site and has earned the respect of artists and curators alike. Clerard is on a mission to tie in the history of Detroit, document public art, and engage other cultural staples like Detroit Institute of Arts and Detroit Historical Museum. Clerard is also deeply passionate about being an educational resource for the children of the city through teaching art appreciation, "Navigating the art scene can be intimidating," he explains, "through internships and cultural experiences, I would love to expose Detroit kids to the business of art."

Clerard not only photographed over 1000 Detroit public art murals, but also researched information the community would want to know–details about the artist, who they are and why they were commissioned, if at all. "Part of my definition of a mural is whether it is publicly accessible. It has to be on an exterior wall of a building," Clerard further explains that the difference between graffiti and public murals are the benefit the community and not the artist, "Is the artist giving their time and effort to the community? Or are they tagging their names and self promoting?"

"There are so many incredible details about the art in Detroit that’s fun to discover and share," he explains with a smile, "When I found out that Diego Rivera’s last living assistant has a mural in Southwest Detroit, I couldn't wait to text all of my friends."

Aretha Franklin by Desiree Kelly on the corner of Winder St & Russel St in Eastern Market, Detroit

This mural features pink tones that are reminiscent of the iconic singer's classic song, "Pink Cadillac." The mural is one of many around the city that features Franklin--there is another one in Eastern Market as well.

Stevie Wonder 1434-1436 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226

London artist Richard Wilson finished this beautiful mural in the summer of 2019. The mural is a classic that is a full-fledged tourist attraction located outside the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts downtown. “For me, he’s the greatest living singer, songwriter, and musician,” Wilson told the Detroit Free Press. “In 300 years, I’m sure he’ll be looked (at) as a Beethoven, Mozart, Bach—that kind of epic influence on humanity.”

Girl with the D Earring Grand Boulevard from Woodward Avenue into Milwaukee Junction

Created by Sydney G. James, this incredible work of art is a reenvisioning of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” The work is significant as it is a 8,000 square-foot painting of a Black woman--painted by a Black female muralist. “It’s one woman,” James told Hour Detroit. “But she represents Detroit in general. ‘Girl with the D Earring’ is a celebration of the city and a celebration of its people.”

Detroit Never Left Gratiot and Chene near Detroit’s Historic Eastern Market.

Sheefy McFly created this brightly-colored and inspirational mural that is a nod to the idea of Detroit having a "resurgence." The painting depicts a real Detroit party using minimalistic movements, which is why I have the guy jitting, a girl twerking next to him, the radio, and a black dude with Cartiers on and money in his pocket. McFly told The Michigan Chroniclethat "anyone from Detroit that walks by can identify with the mural.”

Mexicantown Murals

Elton Monroy Durán is the artist who has painted several incomparable murals in Mexicantown which capture the spirit of the entire village with vibrancy and color. One of the most beautiful is the mural at the Plaza del Norte Welcome Center in Mexicantown is a celebration of Mexican culture. Another depicts a Cinco de Mayo parade, on the side of Mexican Village Restaurant is an image of the Adelitas, depicting Mexican women who fought in the country’s revolution. “Everything I do comes from a place of love,” Durán told Curbed. “These murals are an act of love to my community. I want people to be happy, I want people to be represented.”

"The Spirit" Mural 7930 Mack Ave, Detroit, MI 48214

This incredible piece was created by Muralist Waleed Johnson and was the 100th mural sponsored by the City of Detroit. “The Spirit” is a six-story mural that depicts a Black woman holding the gold sun and spires of the famous “Spirit of Detroit” statue with the city’s flag worn as a headwrap. Johnson told WDETthat he is often asked if the beautiful image is one of a famous person, but he says that is its power, it is a depiction of an everyday Black American being larger than life. “I was raised by a single Black woman. And I’ve seen many Black women in this city really keeping it alive,” he says. “Black people are not used to being represented in such a big way like that.”

Bringing the top street artists together in the city of Detroit The BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival was conceived by Sydney G. James, Thomas “Detour” Evans of Denver, Colorado and Max Sansing of Chicago, Illinois as a direct response to their shared history of participating in mural festivals throughout the country.
The products of the festival are some of the most beloved murals in the city of Detroit.
Here are some of the most recent additions and some of the most Instagrammable murals in the city.

Let me get umm...
By Sydney G. James&Ijania Cortez
Location: 8290 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
James is one of rhe founders of BLKOUT Walls, she has contributed several of Detroit's most iconic murals including: Girl with the D Earring--one of the most popular murals in the city located in the Midtown area.

The Hairy-Copter
By Brittany Williams
Location: 8 Highland St, Highland Park, MI 48203, USA
In a nod to Detroit's hair culture, The Hairy-Copter is a beautiful mural that will resonate in the hearts of natives and speak to the whimsy of the city.

Untitled
By Sheefy McFly
Location: 15 Richton St, Highland Park, MI 48203
One of Detroit's most acclaimed artists, this mural by Sheefy McFly is one that should definitely be on your must see list. The mural is in McFly's typical abstract style and its bright colors are inspirational and perfectly Instagrammable. While in Highland Park, stop by and see murals by Birdcap & Toonky Berry at 12205 Woodward Ave, Mohammed Awudu at 12249 Woodward Ave, and Phil Simpson 12205 Woodward Ave.

The City Walls project features 15 locations across the city that have beautified with stunning murals by 12 artists selected for the second wave of the 2023 City Walls campaign. The artwork has added beauty to our already beautiful city.

They are located in three distinct locations: Dexter Ave, Gratiot/7 Mile, and Joe Louis Greenway

The 200th City Walls mural was unveiled in October 2023 and is located at 14229 Jefferson Avenue. The City Walls project has an interactive map that highlights where to find these gorgeous pieces.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Gratiot/7 (G7) Mile Mural
Phil Simpson
Phil's mural technique and evolution are beautiful things to see. He uses a variety of mediums to create his pieces, and his style is constantly evolving.
In his G7 mural, Phil wants children of all ages to know that they are the future and that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Corktown Substation
Jesse Kassel
With its bright and beautiful color palette, this piece is a welcome addition to Detroit's famed Corktown neighborhood. You can find it on Trumbull and Porter.

Ivan Montoya
Ivan Montoya’s beautiful mural is hard to miss while driving on I-75. Painted on the Washington Trade School, the beautiful colors bring the old school alive. The mural has been called one of the most beautiful in the city and described as "absolutely heart lifting."

Motown Mural
Waffle Cafe, 18685 Livernois, just south of Seven Mile

Fel'le
A Detroit arts community staple, Fel'le was awarded three murals in the City Walls program and is an Ambassador of the program. This mural features images of Detroit's musical icons and is located in the legendary Avenue of Fashion neighborhood. The location of the mural is perfectly situated just down the road from Fel'le's art gallery.

For the past six years, 1xRUN and the company’s fine art gallery, Inner State, have curated and produced over 100 murals in Eastern Market alone, and over 200 murals throughout the city of Detroit. With the creation of these murals, each area has seen a significant visual impact on the surrounding neighborhood as well as increased traffic, additional economic development, and increased safety.

There are several new productions in the area that are standout must-see pieces.

Giovanni Gulley, Kelly Golden, and Lenora Cutwright have produced some of the most visually appealing pieces that are both in the Eastern Market and Islandview area.

In addition, Murals In The Market has partnered with the Detroit Jazz Festival to bring a new mural to Bert’s Warehouse, as well as satellite murals to locations throughout the city, including on the Dequindre Cut.