In 2021, Confluence was installed along the Bayou Greenway trail at the convergence of White Oak and Buffalo Bayous. The mural, created by artist Jane Kim, cofounder of Ink Dwell studio, showcases the birds that call Houston’s bayous home. Image: Anthony Rathbun.

Driving through Houston, your eyes (mostly) on the road, it’s not uncommon to notice flashes of color pass by in your peripheral vision, brightening up the blur of concrete and stucco. What’s that? You crane your neck quick enough not to crash, like checking a blind spot. These apparitions are the city’s murals, which have become increasingly present in all corners of Houston, thanks to public art projects and individual muralists inspired by our urban landscape to pick up brush and paint can. These murals make the city alive and tell its story. And most important, they are entirely ours to enjoy. Next time you check that “blind spot,” perhaps you’ll be encouraged to stop for a moment. Or better yet—take a walk, ride your bike, and admire these visual gifts that make Houston what it is.

Confluence by Jane Kim

Where White Oak and Buffalo Bayous meet in downtown Houston, a flutter of color appeared in 2021. This sprawling mural reminds us that amid the concrete jungle we live in, plenty of nature shares our home. Confluence tells the story of the migratory birds that pass through Houston year-round and highlights their changing colors as they shift appearances to breed. The mural was produced with the help of Anh Bui, Catie Michel, and Ash Ferlito.

Big Art. Bigger Change. 

Downtown Houston partnered with Street Art for Mankind for this ambitious project to transform downtown with more than 30 massive murals on the sides of buildings, lending the central business district some much-needed vibrancy. Pictured here, from left: King of the Road by Case Maclaim, Empowered by Adry del Rocio, and La Shamana by Lula Goce. 

Harrisburg Art Museum (HAM)

Sometimes public art springs up in clusters. This is the case of HAM, a collection of warehouses in the East End that is home to murals and graffiti from various artists—having each garage-like door painted with a different vision and style gives the entire installation a unique effect. Founded by artist Daniel Anguilu, HAM is a great place to visit if you want to see multiple pieces all in one place.

Mexican-American History & Culture in 20^th Century Houston by Laura López Cano and Jesse Sifuentes

This ode to Mexican American Houstonians has presided over Connally Plaza, steps away from city hall, since 2018. The artists sought to tell the story of nearly 40 places, people, and events that have shaped the community and its neighborhoods. Railroad workers, Ship Channel longshoremen, and icons like restaurateur Ninfa Laurenzo and civil rights activist María Jimenez all share pride of place with beloved businesses, schools, theaters, and more.

Black History 365 by Reginald C. Adams

The façade of legendary Midtown restaurant the Breakfast Klub is a constantly evolving story. What had been a poignant I Can’t Breathe mural honoring George Floyd was painted over in 2022 with work by the same artist, this one depicting a Black Mount Rushmore featuring leaders such as W. E. B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington.

Explore East River by David Maldonado

This artwork is not supported by the city’s walls, but rather six shipping containers, unveiled in fall 2020 as public art anchoring the upcoming East River development by real estate firm Midway. Sitting at the cross section of Fifth Ward and the East End, the mural is a sign of revitalization to some, and to others one of gentrification, which in itself is part of Houston’s story.

Sacred Paths by Reginald C. Adams

Another powerhouse by Adams, this mural has been an essential part of Third Ward’s landscape since 2018, brightening up the Columbia Tap hike and bike trail. It depicts eight African American activists and is crafted a little differently than a typical mural: glass and ceramic tiles make up mosaics that resemble the stained glass windows of a church.

Mini Mural at Emancipation and Blodgett by Maya Imani Watson

The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with UP Art Studio, launched the Traffic Signal Control Cabinet Mural Program in 2015, aiming to beautify the city via this mundane yet ever-present object. There are now more than 250 so-called “mini murals” across Houston, with more being added on a revolving basis. Maya Imani Watson is one of many artists tapped for this initiative, and her contribution has enriched this corner of Third Ward since 2019.