Unique Street Art in Springfield, IL | Springfield, Illinois | Visit Springfield

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Did you know Springfield has an amazing art scene…Yep, that we do!! Whether it's art galleries, local theatre or street art, Springfield's got it!! 

We have so many talented artists in our town that help beautify our city!! 

There is so much I can say about the art scene but for now let's talk…STREET ART!!

 

Art Alley

The concept came to life during an event that started September 2017, to help raise funds to benefit downtown revitalization. It’s a pop up art event in where you can watch artists compete to create a  mural in one day and unveil it during a reception party that night. Each year the murals change, making this a great spot to visit and wander through and take pics or the amazing artwork! 

Artist: Multiple          

Location: Alley off 5th Street between Adams and Washington, DSI

 


3rd Street Corridor Murals

Along the 3rd Street corridor you'll find murals dedicated to both the light-hearted and the serious. The corridor contains the Love is Love, Homer Simpson, Steve Biko, & Lego Abe murals.  The Love is Love mural contains hearts and balloons and encourages people to share their messages of love.  Mmm!! Donuts!!  It's everyone's favorite TV dad & Springfield resident (although which Springfield is up for debate...we choose to believe Springfield, Illinois), Homer Simpson.  The next mural is dedicated to anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko.  The mural contains a quote from him as well as a quote from singer Peter Gabriel.  Next, who doesn't love Abe?  We'll it's Springfield's most famous resident in Lego form.

Artist: Multiple

Location: 3rd Street (Between Monroe & Adams Streets)

Good Heart Tattoo Mural

The awesome piece was done in a graffiti style with spray paint. 

Artist: Spencer Stokes (@Marsho217) & Lyndsay Grawey (@porkchopolis)

Location: 4th & Monroe (Good Heart Tattoo)

Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie Sumac

This piece is a lasting homage to Wright and the beautiful sumac stained glass pieces he has designed. 

Artist: Troy Freeman with Freesky Studios         

Location: 4th & Monroe St. (Next to the Post Office) 

Young Abe 

A 2,220 sq. ft mural of Young Abe as a surveyor. Painted in 2013 with a technique called pointillism, which is done with small dots that form a larger image.  

Artist: Michael Mayosky

Location: 5th & Jefferson (Side of the Alamo)

 

 

Farewell to Springfield 

This mural is of Abraham Lincoln saying farewell to Springfield on his way to Washington D.C. Although this murals completion didn’t end as planned it had been deemed complete. 

Artist: Michael Mayosky

Location: 10th & Monroe St (Next to Lincoln Depot

Fido's Puppies Sculpture Project

The Fido Puppies Sculpture Project is a collaboration including Downtown Springfield Inc., Springfield Art Association and the City of Springfield. Fido is famously the Lincoln Family Dog, who lived in their Springfield home in the 1850's.  The project was designed to make people smile as they hunt for the puppy sculptures throughout downtown Springfield.  Fido's "Puppies" will be getting into mischief all around downtown, hiding along sidewalks, on window ledges and lounging on steps!

The puppies were commissioned by various artists and placed outside businesses who sponsored them.  Keep an eye out for more puppies to come as part of the ARTification project.

Location: 4th & Capitol (INB-Artist: Erin Svendsen), 5th & Washington (SAA Collective-Artist: Will Norris), 6th & Madison (Union Square Park-Artist: Danny Brikshavana), 7th & Jackson (across from Lincoln Home-Artist: Betsy Dollar), 5th & Jackson (Bicentennial Plaza-Artist: Sam Brown)

Illinois History

This is a 20 panel mural designed to represent the State of Illinois that lines Clearlake Ave as you are entering Downtown Springfield. Completed in Summer of 2018 for the Illinois Bicentennial.

Artist: Students of Springfield Art Association

Location: Clearlake Ave (West of MLK Jr St.)

Route History Mural

Along with the ribbon cutting at Route History's reopening ceremony in August 2021, they also showcased their new mural that pulls together the landmarks in African American history that are often overlooked. Hopes are that the mural inspires young people to get out and learn the history that is not often found in the history books. Be sure to visit Route History Museum while you are here.

Artist: Korbin King

Location: 737 E. Cook St.

Together We Rise

The goal of this mural is to reflect a positive image of the Southeast community in Springfield and show the community in a positive light, reflecting the forward uplifting momentum in this area. The mural incorporates symbols of the African American diaspora fused with futuristic symbols to support modern technology from the CAP 1908 component. The mural was brought about through The Springfield Project at CAP 1908, the Springfield Art Association, partially funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and various other community supporters. The mural is a modern contemporary abstract design.

Artist: Barbara Mason

Location: 11th & South Grand Ave E

Wild Rose 

Another amazing piece to beautify Springfield. This mural is of beautiful flowers, native plants and pollinators in Illinois. Completed Summer of 2019

Artist: Students of Springfield Art Association

Location: 6th & Jefferson (Side of Wild Rose)

Island Paradise

A little peak of a beautiful ocean view on a brick wall.  Find this one when walking towards the Old State Capitol. Completed in 2009.

Artist: Michael Mayosky

Location: 6th St Alleyway (214 S. 6th St) 

Sunflower Field

Same as the Island Paradise, it’s a little peak into a sunflower field through a brick wall. Also completed in 2009.

Artist: Michael Mayosky

Location: 6th St Alleyway (214 S. 6th St) 

A Net to Snare the Moon

Based off of a poem by famous Vachel Lindsay, who was a Springfield poet. This piece includes 4 very colorful panels that represent 4 verses from the poem itself.

“Come, let us see that all men”

“Have land to catch the rain,” 

“Have grass to snare the spheres of dew,” 

“and fields spread for the grain.” 

Artist: Students of Springfield Art Association

Location: 4th & Jefferson 

Green Goddess 

This design was compiled of several different images that match the style of the interior of Agues Front Burner. Completed in 2015. 

Artist: Troy Freeman - Freesky Studios

Location: Backside of Maryflor (formerly Augie’s Front Burner) - 109 S. 5th St.

Clay's Popeye BBQ Mural

The Clay family has continued to work hard and maintain a reputation in Springfield for receiving community and civic awards. In honor of this family, the Springfield Art Assn. High School Mural Camp picked them to be the location of their 5th mural. The mural honors family & friends of the clay family as well as community leaders. While you are there, have some tasty BBQ at Clay's Popeye's BBQ.

Artists: Springfield Art Assn. High School Mural Camp students

Location: 1121 South Grand Ave East

Farmers Market  

Painted on the side of a wall in the location the Old Capitol Farmers Markets is held every May - October. It’s a beautiful view of downtown Springfield and the farm land the surround it. 

Artist: Troy Freeman - Freesky Studios

Location: 4th and Adams St.

 

Teal Butterfly's 

This super cute butterfly and even cuter baby butterfly next to it for the kiddos, was painted on the side of Springfield Vintage in order to promote awareness and prevention of sexual assault!

Artist: Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault staff 

Location: Springfield Vintage

  

Yellow Bird Coffee House Mural

After you've ordered your coffee & pastry at Yellow Bird Coffee House, snap a picture with Abe enjoying a cup of coffee (Fun Fact: President Lincoln liked to start his day with a good cup of coffee).

Artist:  Freesky Studios

Location: 1001 N 1st Street

And for more fun and inspiring murals, check out the Route 66 Mural Trail

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