Angela on Art

The Joy of Murals

by Angela Salvadalena

Since I moved downtown two years ago my world is full of incredible murals. I live on the newly finished Seattle Waterfront where the city has made use of the expanse of building backs that are empty canvases for mural artists. I watched artists painting on tall scaffolding as I walked to work.

mural of a young child pets orca and hugs whale

Mural by Adry Del Rocio and Carlos Alberto

Colorful mural of a dinosaur on a building corner with a clear blue sky.

Mural by Adry Del Rocio and Carlos Alberto

Mural of two dinosaurs on shipping containers with a colorful sky in an urban setting.

Mural by Derek Wu

Industrial area with large blue warehouse at sunset

Mural by Adry Del Rocio and Carlos Alberto

mural of two children jumping

Mural by Adry Del Rocio and Carlos Alberto

Building with a reflective facade showing underwater scene with fish and a red structure in the distance.

Mural by Wyland

Colorful mural on a building wall with various artistic elements.

Mural by Johnny B.

Large outdoor mural of a woman and fish on the side of a building with a Starbucks sign below.

Mural by Analisa Notter

These are murals I see when I walk out my door, down Alaskan Way, Pike Place Market and Belltown. I’m realizing how important public art is because it adds beauty and wonder to our everyday lives, and the tourists are impressed too. I never got excited by bronze sculptures of children and puppies but the murals are another story!

Oh, and another long collaborative mural was recently completed in Ballard on Leary Way. I haven’t seen it in person yet but, WOW, I love it!

Mural of two children with binoculars on a building facade.

Mural by Jen Vickers

What do you think of Seattle’s murals?

Back to Blog