We all know that LOU has a vibrant art scene — and we’re not just talking about the Speed Art Museum or KMAC Museum. One of our all-time favorite galleries? Louisville itself.

Derby City is home to a number of meaningful murals and street art pieces. Today, we’re sharing where to find pieces that really paint a picture of our city.

Downtown

“4th Street Kentucky Mural,” 642 S. 4th St. | By Fieldtrip

A disco ball, rickhouse, Muhammad Ali, and a birthday cake are just a few shoutouts to Kentucky culture depicted in this bright blue mural collectively designed by the Fieldtrip team.

"Hope Springs — The Wishing Well" depicts an underwater world. | Photo by LOUtoday

“Hope Springs — The Wishing Well,” 4th and Main Streets | By Whitney Olsen

This mixed-media art piece transforms MSD’s downtown flood pump station into a shimmery, underwater work of art.

Old Louisville

The new mural is located at the Family & Children's Place Service Center at 525 Zane St. | Photo by LOUtoday

“Family and Children's Place,” 525 Zane St. | By Jaylin Stewart

Founded in 1883, the Family & Children’s Place works to address and prevent child abuse — so it seems only right that artist Jaylin involved local kids from Engelhard Elementary School to create an art piece on the agency’s wall.

"Greetings from Louisville" is part of the nationwide mural project “Greetings Tour” where the artists have a goal to paint a mural in all 50 states.
| Photo by LOUtoday

“Greetings from Louisville,” 1101 Central Ave. | By Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs

Part of the nationwide mural project “Greetings Tour” (the artists have a goal to paint a mural in all 50 states), this postcard-style art piece incorporates iconic Louisville imagery into every letter.

NuLu

The artist behind "Unified Race," Kacy Jackson, also created art for the Kentucky Derby. | Photo by @artofkacy

“The Unified Race,” 826 E. Main St. | By Kacy Jackson

Located in the heart of NuLu in the NuLu Marketplace, this colorful mural featuring two horses on a prism background came to life in 2021 and is one of the newer murals on the block.

Rabbit Hole Distillery commissioned this piece of art with major noir vibes. | Photo by @kzrabbithole

“Rabbit Hole,” 700 E. Market St. | By Jeremy Booth and Often Seen Rarely Spoken

This Vector Noir-style painting serves as the backdrop to one of Louisville’s most beloved patios and was commissioned by the nearby Rabbit Hole Distillery.

Kentucky wildflowers frame the side of eclectic gift shop Red Tree. | Photo by LOUtoday

“#NuluWildflower,” 701 E. Market St. | By Liz Richter

Kentucky wildflowers cover an outside wall of the NuLu gift store Red Tree as part of a project with Google Fiber and represent the growth of the neighborhood.

Is this the King of NuLu? | Photo by LOUtoday

“Royals Hot Chicken,” 736 E. Market St. | By Wilfred Sieg III

Will Sieg has left his mark across Louisville and Southern Indiana — including this spray-painted abstract masterpiece of a chicken on the side of Royals Hot Chicken.

Portland

This mural pours down onto its viewers — *not a bad thing on a hot day.* | Photo by LOUtoday

“The Waterfalls,” 1531 W. Main St. | By Chris Chappell

Louisville’s My Morning Jacket partnered with The Portland Investment Initiative and Beautify Earth to fund a series of public art projects — including this reinterpretation of the band’s “The Waterfall” album artwork.

Shelby Park + Smoketown

Shoot a photo (and a bourbon) at Trouble Bar. | Photo by LOUtoday

“Whiskey Got me in to Trouble,” 1149 S. Shelby St. | By Bryan Patrick Todd

Designed for Shelby Park bourbon bar Trouble Bar is a mural dedicated to a saying most Louisvillians know all too well.

This mural occupies the corner of Shelby + Breckenridge Streets. | Photo by LOUtoday

“What we need is here,” 900 S. Shelby St. | By Liz Richter

This two-story public art piece draws attention to supporting the physical and mental health of mothers and was commissioned as part of the Lean Into Louisville initiative.

In sunlight or in shadow, this mural stands out. | Photo by LOUtoday

“Sunshine & Shadows,” 741 E. Oak St. | By Gibbs Rounsavall

Swirls of pastels take over the side of a building housing Shelby Park's Perso restaurant.

This mural creates a new meaning for "book worm." | Photo courtesy @shelbyparklouisville

“Believe in yourself,” 1124 Logan St. | By Wilfred Sieg III

This giant painting is the gateway to Shelby Park and features a larger-than-life crow with a pen in its talons, a black inkwell, and books.