Memphis, Tennessee, is known more for its music than its art. But like fellow Tri-Star city Nashville, that’s beginning to change. The Urban Art Commission and Paint Memphis are two groups responsible for creating them in just about every neighborhood. Looking for more? The Downtown Memphis Mural Guide is a good place to start. Camels and Chocolate also has listings.
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Where to Find Murals in Memphis
Downtown
As with any visit to Memphis, your search for murals should start on Beale Street, the famous area for live music. Pose for a photo at the Beale Street Wings at Tin Roof and snap the History of Civil Rights mural. It was painted by Birdcap and can be found at the corner of Martin Luther King and South Main Street.
The now-abandoned Sterick Building has several murals inspired by the city, including the artists Kyle Taylor, Brandon Donahue, and Brandon Marshall. You’ll find it at Madison Avenue and North BB King Boulevard.
South Main
The South Main Arts District is bursting with colorful murals if you know where to look. A favorite is the WC Handy mural by artist Kyle Taylor. You can fund it under the South Main overpass, right around the corner from the Central Station Hotel.
Around the corner, check out The Memphis Poetry Panels, a nearly 50-foot stretch of song lyrics related to Memphis, set in white script on a red background. Among them are words by Roy Acuff and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Don’t miss the “I Am a Man” mural (right) on South Main near Huling, inspired by the famous civil rights march that took place nearby. It was created by Marcellous Lovelace with BLK75 and is part of the South Main Mosaic ArtWalk.
Right across the street from the National Civil Rights Museum is the mural called “Upstanders, Facing History and Ourselves” by Nelson Gutierrez and Cedar Nordbye. It features notable figures from the movement, like Ida B. Wells.
Midtown
Another can’t miss mural is the I Love Memphis mural near Memphis Made Brewery, painted by artist Nosey42. Snap a picture and grab a pint!
Overton Square
The charming Overton Square neighborhood has its own mural on the side of Bari Ristorante by Memphis Made and David Lynch. You can see it by standing in the adjacent parking lot. It’s also a short walk from The Memphian hotel.
College Park
Don’t miss the chance to tour the Stax Museum, where so many incredible artists like Otis Redding recorded. The area also has fun murals, including the iconic “I Love Soulsville” mural, created by the Soulsville Neighborhood Association (SNA).
Did I leave out your favorite mural in the city? Share your favorite Memphis mural in the comments!
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