4 Murals in Detroit That I’m Thinking About Right Now
Hey Detroit, I’ve been thinking about you lately. 😊
I miss you! Not in a super sad way, more of a “geez, this pandemic makes the days and weeks go by super slow and I miss my family and friends but I know I will see them soon” kind of way. That city will always hold a little slice of my heart since it was the first big city I’ve lived in by myself.
I always have these little homesick spells whenever I leave certain places, which I think is pretty normal for anyone. Let me just have a moment to reflect on it:
Morning runs down Woodward Avenue and down the Riverfront, back up the Dequindre Cut with alllll the beautiful murals that cover the pathway
Saying good morning to Uncle Herman outside Dilla’s Donuts every morning
The beautiful-burnt orangy-creamy hues of the beautiful Detroit skyline spotted with art (stunning)
My go-to sushi order while sitting in the corner upstairs nook at Shangri La - I always wanted that exact spot
My weekend brewery shifts in Corktown to make some extra fun money and socialize with whoever walked in
Sneaking onto my rooftop at my old apartment - and the sounds of the saxophone man who would play Christmas and Drake songs that lofted into my big screen windows
Alrightttt, I got it out of my system. 😂 Moving on, I wanted to make a post of a few of my favorite murals in the city.
Street art makes my soul happy.
Did you know the street art movement officially began in 1960s Philadelphia? I moved to the right spot. Street artists and muralists have a way of breathing new life into once blank spaces. They spark important conversations, help improve street safety, revitalize urban public spaces, and engage the communities they reside in.
If you ever do get to visit Detroit, here are four of my favorite murals - I have too many to count, so there will be more posts like this and maybe one day I will get to talk to the artists themselves and really learn each and every story behind them.
Enjoy! All photos were taken by yours truly, so forgive me if they are a bit grainy. Some of these are old photos!
Detroit Nipple Works Mural
This was actually painted by high schoolers in the area! This has to be one of my favorite murals of all time. I discovered it one morning when I was working out at a gym nearby.
The students who painted this were a part of Summer in the City, a program that allows teenagers from Detroit and its suburbs to volunteer for community improvement projects.
The Corktown Tavern Mural
The simplicity of this mural - bar, music, food, Guinness, we take cards. It’s perfect…and it’s been on the side of the Corktown Tavern for decades. Also has an amazing view of the skyline in the background.
Top Floor of the Z Lot
The Z is a huge parking garage smack dab in the middle of downtown Detroit and it’s probably the best idea ever for a boring parking lot - fill it with the work of 27 artists from all spans of the globe. Say no more. 😍
My tip for this gold mine of art:
Hop in the elevator off Grand River Ave, take it to the top, and walk your way down. It’s not free to park there, which is why I say walk - unless you are looking for parking! I also know all the free spots nearby if you need a tip, I am the queen of not paying for parking right here.
The views from the top are unreal. Head to Vincente’s after some tapas and sangria to fill that belly.
“Mighty Love”
This one just makes me happy. I actually feel a sense of mighty love when I look at it.
Located on the rear wall of Cheap Charlies in Eastern Market, this art was born out of the 2016 Murals in the Market Festival and created by Cey Adams. His work is inspired by 60's pop art, sign painting, comic books, and popular culture.
Eastern Market may be the very best place on earth for street art, so you should 1000000% go here…and make this your first stop.
1461 Gratiot Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Check the video below by 1xRun to see what I mean.
Shot & edited by Emad Rashidi👇🏻