Public art fills Austin’s streets with more than color—it’s a canvas for the city’s diverse stories and a fight for cultural preservation. From iconic landmarks like the “Hi, How Are You” mural to hidden community treasures, Austin’s murals capture its history. However, with rising development, their future is uncertain.
This guide explores the most influential murals in Austin, diving into the stories they tell, the communities they uplift, and the organizations that work tirelessly to preserve them. As you walk through Austin’s streets, these murals offer a roadmap to the city’s culture and a glimpse into the efforts to keep Austin’s art alive.
The Role of Organizations in Austin
Public art is central to Austin’s identity and several organizations are key to making art accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Raasin in the Sun is a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving local history and culture through murals and community projects. Renee Chen, the organization’s coordinator, and Lolita Rodriguez, the operations manager, emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between art, culture, sustainability and inclusivity to create vibrant spaces where people can feel safe and connected within the community.
The Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation’s Writing on the Walls initiative similarly seeks to connect communities through public art. By commissioning local artists to create murals, installations and interactive projects, the foundation cultivates conversations and experiences that unify Austinites across neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the Street Art Muralist Organization– a UT Austin student group– creates murals across campus and beyond. With a mission to raise awareness for important causes and diversify Austin’s visual landscape, SAMO frequently partners with underserved communities and schools to create meaningful murals for them, such as their recent work at Widen Elementary.
Kenzo Revilla, SAMO’s founder, said Austin’s mural scene stands out for its ample amount of “good messages” that reflect the city’s creative energy and outdoorsy environment while amplifying activists and movements.
“Public art is around every corner in the city, and it’s a reflection of Austin’s attitude and space,” Revilla said. “It’s not just limited to spray paint, it’s a city that’s walkable and super creative with displaying its beautiful history and community through the messages that those art pieces carry.”
Preservation Austin preserves murals that celebrate and honor the rich heritage of the Mexican American community through its Barrio Landmarks Project in East Austin. Meghan King, the organization’s policy and outreach planner said the project aims to document the community’s history and highlight the importance of their contribution to Austin.
“I hope that it can galvanize people to preserve more of these places and learn more about them, because they’re vanishing before our very eyes,” King said.
Preserving Austin’s Murals: Challenges and Efforts
While many Austin murals are well-loved, preservation for them is a challenge.
“Currently there’s no protected designation for status for murals in Austin,” King said. “If you become a historic landmark, for instance, that comes with protections from demolition by the City of Austin, but it does not mean change.”
King noted that some murals, like the “Hi, How Are You” frog, are preserved thanks to private agreements that make it a restricted covenant rather than from city support.
“In the absence of tools to protect things, these development pressures are kind of gobbling up really important pieces of Austin’s historic and cultural fabric,” King said.
Both Raasin in the Sun and the Barrio Landmarks Project face obstacles when advocating for mural preservation in rapidly developing areas, especially in historically marginalized communities. Without formal support, these murals are at risk of fading or being removed.
“What’s happening is a lot of developers are coming in, and they want to do all of these great things, but it’s not doing anything for the community,” Rodriguez said. “So we have that challenge, because we have to represent everyone.”
The Equity-Based Preservation Plan, scheduled for a City Council vote in November, includes a recommendation to establish protections for murals. This measure would allow murals to be designated as historically or culturally significant, offering incentives to property owners for their maintenance.
A Vision for Austin’s Murals
Austin’s murals are more than just visual art—they’re cultural landmarks that tell the city’s story. From popular downtown installations to hidden gems across neighborhoods, each mural represents a piece of Austin’s diverse history, struggles and spirit.
As Austin grows and changes, organizations and artists are working to protect these pieces for future generations.
For Austinites and visitors alike, exploring these murals offers a unique look into the city’s heart and history. These art pieces serve as a reminder of Austin’s vibrant community and a call to keep its cultural landmarks alive for years to come.
“It’s a heartbeat,” Rodriguez said. “Austin can’t live without art.”
Austin’s Most Influential Murals: A Road Trip Guide
Austin’s murals are best experienced up close, and this guide highlights both well-known landmarks and lesser-known community pieces. Here’s a roadmap to some of the city’s most impactful murals:
1. Bolm Road Murals (East Austin)
Start your mural road trip in East Austin
On Bolm Road, you’ll find a 900-foot wall filled with murals painted by local artists, including those from the Chicano community. The art here captures the history and spirit of East Austin, celebrating community leaders and important moments, like Cesar Chavez’s role in fighting for farmworker’s rights. You’ll also see scenes from the Chicano civil rights era, with images of marches and rallies that show the area’s proud history of activism and unity.
2. Holly Street Power Plant Murals (East Austin)
5-minute drive south
Just a short drive away, the Holly Street Power Plant murals are a tribute to the neighborhood’s Chicano roots and the fight for environmental justice. Local artist Felipe Garza organized the murals in 1991, with the goal of beautifying the industrial site and honoring the community’s history. You’ll find cultural symbols like the Virgen de Guadalupe, which represents faith and resilience, along with images of nature that celebrate the area’s connection to local land and water. Restoration efforts continue today, thanks to groups like Arte Texas, ensuring that these murals remain a vital part of the community’s cultural legacy.
3. Hi, How Are You (Guadalupe Street, UT Campus)
15-minute drive west
Head over to the famous “Hi, How Are You” mural near the UT campus to see Jeremiah the frog, a quirky Austin icon. Painted by artist Daniel Johnston in the ‘90s, this mural has come to symbolize mental health awareness in the city, with its simple question, “Hi, How Are You?” After Johnston’s passing, a nonprofit named after the mural was created to spread his message of mental wellness. The mural has been preserved through community efforts and today, it continues to inspire a new generation in the fight for mental health awareness.
4. Be Well Murals (South Lamar Boulevard)
10-minute drive south
Under the South Lamar bridge, the “Be Well” murals share uplifting messages like “Stay Strong” and “You Belong.” These colorful murals change over time, bringing fresh, positive messages to the area. The project started as a way to spread mental wellness and positivity, with different local artists contributing designs. Bright flowers, sunshine, and encouraging words create a welcoming atmosphere, making it a local favorite.
5. Greetings from Austin (South 1st Street)
5-minute drive south
Next up is the “Greetings from Austin” mural, painted by artist Todd Sanders. This classic postcard image has become one of the most popular photo spots in town. Each letter of “Austin” features scenes from Texas life, like cowboy boots and the state Capitol, capturing the city’s warm and welcoming vibe.
6. I Love You So Much (Jo’s Coffee, South Congress)
3-minute drive east
A couple blocks away is Jo’s Coffee, home of the famous “I Love You So Much” mural. Originally a sweet message from musician Amy Cook to her partner, this mural has become a symbol of love and connection for everyone who stops by. It’s simple, but it says it all.
7. Willie for President (South Congress)
Short walk north
Just up the road, you’ll find the “Willie for President” mural, painted by artist Gabe Lanza, as a tribute to Texas icon, Willie Nelson. The mural, done in vibrant red, white, and blue, celebrates Austin’s music scene and honors Willie’s legacy as both an artist and activist.
8. Tau Ceti (2nd Street District)
5-minute drive north
Finish your tour with “Tau Ceti,” the tallest mural in Austin, painted by artist Josef Kristofoletti. This vibrant mural, featuring a rainbow gradient from blues to yellows, covers the side of a 10-story building. It symbolizes the city’s growth and transformation, adding a splash of color to downtown Austin.
