It seems like almost every Tucson wall tells a story.
Here’s a selection of some of our favorite murals seen around town. P.S. — We try to update this gallery as frequently as local artists continue to grace us with their beautiful work.
Want to see a mural map? Click here!
“La Guitarista”
Local artist Ignacio Garcia works on his latest mural titled “La Guitarista,” at 47 S. Fifth Ave.
After seven years, muralist Ignacio Garcia painted over his original mural of basketball legend Bill Walton riding a mythical jackalope. Garcia says the Walton mural didn’t fully reflect downtown Tucson and he has embraced a style of art that represents the Sonoran culture and empowerment of women. The mural is slated to be done the week of Jan. 15.
Location: 47 S. Fifth Ave.
Thrive in the 05
Find this mural by Pen Macias at Bailey’s Fabric and Supply, 1401 N. Bailey Lane.
The Desert Pen, aka Pen Macias, worked on this mural in collaboration with Thrive in the 05 and the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona, asking community members what they’d want to see on the mural. Every part of the mural pays homage to someone’s story, with ties to family, nature and local landmarks.
Location: Bailey’s Fabric and Supply, 1401 N. Bailey Lane
Rosa’s Resistance
Find this mural by Ignacio Garcia at 219 N. Third Ave.
Ignacio Garcia created this gem, which he calls Rosa’s Resistance. “In the forge of perseverance, Rosa toils, a symphony of sparks, where metal coils. Passion ablaze, her craft she adorns, a tapestry of strength, where resilience is born.” Read the rest on Garcia’s Instagram.
Location: 219 N. Third Ave.
El Tour de Tucson
Find this El Tour de Tucson mural by Joe Pagac at Broadway and Sixth Avenue.
This colorful downtown mural, by Joe Pagac, celebrates El Tour de Tucson’s 40th anniversary in 2023.
Location: Southeast corner of Broadway and Sixth Avenue.
Al Foul
Jessica Gonzales created this Al Foul tribute mural at 2231 S. Fourth Ave.
This mural by Jessica Gonzales honors local musician Al Foul, who died in 2022. In a career spanning 30 years, Al left his mark as a musician but it’s his legacy as a “remarkable human being” that his friends remember most.
Location: 2231 S. Fourth Ave.
Twice As Nice
Find this mural by Pato Aguilar at Twice As Nice, 7333 E. Broadway.
Meet Valentina — a sassy and strong wildcat pictured in this east-side mural by Pato Aguilar.
Location: Twice As Nice, 7333 E. Broadway
“The Three Sisters”
Find this mural, called The Three Sisters, at 61 E. Congress St.
Dubbed The Three Sisters, this mural was inspired by the Indigenous planting method of corn, beans and squash. “The Three Sisters method also has cultural significance as it represents a way of life that is in harmony with nature and respects the interconnectedness of all living things,” says mural designer Ruben Moreno. The artist team includes Tony Plak, Edward Hyde Aug and Mel Melo Dominguez.
Location: 61 E. Congress St.
Tucson mural
Find this mural at 1122 N. Stone Ave.
Six different artists — Kati Astraeir, Donovan White, Coda One, Ruben Moreno, Salvador Duran and Johanna Martinez — took on a letter of the word “Tucson” for this mural in midtown.
Location: 1122 N. Stone Ave.
The Downtown Dispensary
Find this mural by Joe Pagac at 221 E. Sixth St.
Joe Pagac created this piece at The Downtown Dispensary. It’s partially inspired by a trip that Pagac to look to Hawaii.
Location: The Downtown Dispensary, 221 E. Sixth St.
“Sam & Sara”
Arizona artist Isaac Caruso created this mural for his book “Sam & Sara.” Find it at 2560 E. River Road, to the east of the apartments as you’re headed to The Loop.
Arizona artist Isaac Caruso created a children’s book dubbed “Sam & Sara,” illustrated entirely with murals across the state, including this one in Tucson.
Location: 2560 E. River Road, to the east of the apartments as you’re headed to The Loop.
Tanna’s Botannas
Find this dreamy mural at Tanna’s Botannas, 4426 S. Sixth Ave.
Find this dreamy mural at candy shop Tanna’s Botannas. Created by Camila on Canvas, the mural features a red house on the right which is actually owner Tanna Cole’s fiancé Alberto’s abuela’s house in Guadalajara (and where inspiration first stirred to create the Tanna’s Botannas business).
Location: Tanna’s Botannas, 4426 S. Sixth Ave. (Another Tanna’s location at 954 W. Prince Road also has a mural.)
Lohse Family YMCA
Joe Pagac created this mural at The YMCA downtown.
This mural, by Joe Pagac, highlights different aspects of YMCA offerings including basketball, swimming and horseback riding. The mural is part of the full remodeling of The YMCA’s downtown location. The project is funded by the Connie Hillman Family Foundation.
Location: Lohse Family YMCA, 60 W. Alameda St.
Corbett’s
Joe Pagac depicts the main vision for Corbett’s under the Southern Arizona skies as people play pickleball next to “A” Mountain in his mural that lives inside the restaurant, N. Sixth Ave., Aug. 16.
Eatery and pickleball destination Corbett’s features several murals including this one by Joe Pagac. Another is of Twelve Tribes’ late owner Dennis “Papa Ranger” Francis, painted by Ignacio Garcia.
Location: Corbett’s, 340 N. Sixth Ave.
First Responders
Muralist Joe Pagac unveiled this mural, dedicated to first responders, at Banner — University Medicine Center Tucson on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
This mural by Joe Pagac features a Border Patrol agent, a police officer, a firefighter and a paramedic. The mural is 75 feet wide and 16 feet tall. The unveiling coincided with the 49th annual National EMS Week, which celebrates the first responder workforce.
Location: Banner-University Medical Center Emergency Department Bay area, East Adams Street
“Tracks and Trails”
A person walks a dog through “Tracks and Trails,” a mural by Rock Martinez and Jessica Gonzales commissioned by Pima County for The Loop multi-use path on the north bank of the Rillito River at Country Club Road in Tucson.
This 4,000-square-foot piece features fauna and flora of the Sonoran Desert. It was created by Jessica Gonzales and Rock Martinez.
Location: Rio Vista Natural Resource Park, 3974 N. Tucson Blvd.
Agave at Twenty Two Apartments
Erixaart created this mural on Tucson’s east side, 8485 E. 22nd St.
Erixaart created this gem and says her experience creating this mural — apartment residents showed her lots of love — reminded her how important community is and “how little acts of kindness mean the world.”
Location: Agave at Twenty Two Apartments, 8485 E. 22nd St.
“Even In Death”
Find this mural along South Fourth Avenue, near East 30th Street, created by @waddup.native.
Called “Even In Death,” this piece was created by @waddup.native as part of the Fronteridades project between Galeria Mitotera, Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry and the Mellon Foundation.
Location: South Fourth Avenue and East 30th Street
Turtle’s Soup
Local artist Turtle’s Soup created this mural at Mildred & Dildred, 1725 N. Swan Road.
You may have seen local artist Turtle’s Soup’s artwork wrapped around the Sun Link streetcar, or maybe you’ve seen their stickers in the checkout area of Bookmans. Now you can admire their bubbly art along a wall at toy shop Mildred & Dildred.
Location: Mildred & Dildred, 1725 N. Swan Road
Seven Cups
The northeast corner of Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas. Graphic designer Jodie Lewers Chertudi completed this mural late last year.
This mural comes to LIFE. It might be Tucson’s first augmented reality mural and it was created by Jodie Lewers Chertudi. Through a QR code on the mural at Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas, visitors can access the AR experience to see a virtual teacup, parts of the historic “7 Cups” poem, the Chinese symbol for prosperity and plenty of clouds and raindrops to walk through. Read more here.
Location: Seven Cups Fine Chinese Teas, 2510 E. Fort Lowell Road
Southwest Native Trading Post
Sampson Sinquah of the drum group Wild Medicine and the 2022 World Hoop Dance Champion, performs at the dedication of the mural painted by Lucinda Y. Hinojos “La Morena,” Kayla Bellerose, and Jay Lopez, at Southwest Native Trading Post on Nov. 28.
Near the end of 2022, nonprofit Native Music Coalition opened Southwest Native Trading Post where you can find Indigenous pieces including clothing, kachinas, jewelry and more. The mural on the building was created by Lucinda Y. Hinojos “La Morena,” Kayla Bellerose and Jay Lopez.
Location: Southwest Native Trading Post, 301 W. Ajo Way
Zine mural
The new mural at the UA Poetry Center children’s and teen area. The mural was recently completed by artist Ana Santos Acinas.
This mural, located in the center’s children’s and teen area of the University of Arizona Poetry Center, is a colorful homage to the world of zines. The mural was created by artist Ana Santos Acinas of Alley Cat Murals. She was inspired by her own zine-making years in the ‘90s.
Location: UA Poetry Center, 1508 E. Helen St.
Southwest Strings
Jessica Gonzales created this mural at Southwest Strings on Cherrybell Stravenue.
There’s now a colorful mural at Southwest Strings, created by Jessica Gonzales. She said on Instagram: “So excited to add some color to the area and give the community a peek into what goes on inside this super cool business.”
Location: Southwest Strings, 1721 S. Cherrybell Stravenue
El Tour de Tucson
Joe Pagac created this mural ahead of El Tour de Tucson 2022.
Ahead of El Tour de Tucson 2022, Joe Pagac created this mural at The Monica. He says it was inspired by French cycling posters from the 1900s.
Location: The Monica, 40 E. Congress St.
Jackalope
Danny Martin painted this mural at 1250 E. Manlove St.
This mural was created by Danny Martin. On Instagram, he wrote: “Big fan of jackalopes.”
Location: 1250 E. Manlove St.
Rock The Spot
Rock The Spot held a three-day graffiti jam, resulting in several new murals in a parking area along Congress Street.
A parking area on Congress Street is now home to SEVERAL murals, thanks to local and national artists as part of Rock The Spot‘s three-day graffiti jam.
Location: Parking area along Congress Street, between Scott and Stone avenues.
I Am You 360
MOCA’s Minor Mutiny Teen Council created this mural at I Am You 360, a nonprofit that serves youth and young adults in foster care or experiencing homelessness.
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s Minor Mutiny Teen Council created this mural at I Am You 360, a nonprofit working to create a tiny home community for vulnerable youth.
Location: I Am You 360, 1131 S Van Buren Ave.
Katherine Joyce mural
Created by Katherine Joyce, this mural can be found at 5731 E. Speedway.
You’re out of this world, Tucson! Find this mural along Speedway, by Katherine Joyce.
Location: 5731 E. Speedway
“Yoeme Unidos”
This mural was created by Anitra “Yukue” Molina, Ignacio Garcia and seven youth from the Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson. Find it at the Sonoran Stitch Factory.
This mural was commissioned by Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, aiming to focus on “empowering Indigenous youth to take the expressive traditions passed down from their communities and their own artistic style to paint their understanding of traditional stories, cultural figures, and epic histories.” It was created by Anitra “Yukue” Molina, Ignacio Garcia and seven youth from the Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse of the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson.
Location: Sonoran Stitch Factory, 625 W. Rillito St.
Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition
The Desert Pen created this mural in the parking lot of Wooden Tooth Records.
This Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition mural was created by The Desert Pen, aka Pen Macias. She said, “I hoped to create a piece of art you could interact with… Take pictures lost in a cactus forest or feeding larger-than-life desert birds. More than anything I hoped to contribute beauty to the most magical avenue in Tucson.”
Location: Wooden Tooth Records, 426 E. Seventh St.
Tucson Appliance Company
Find this mural at Tucson Appliance Company, created by Erixa Art.
This mural features drawings of appliances amid desert scenery, created by Erixa Art. The mural took about six weeks to complete and features 24 colors.
Location: Tucson Appliance Company, 4229 E. Speedway
Roskruge K-8
This mural at Roskruge K-8 was created by Martin Moreno and revitalized by Alley Cat Murals.
Originally created by Martin Moreno, this huge mural wraps around part of Roskruge K-8. It was revitalized in 2022 by Alley Cat Murals, who surveyed the community and asked for design ideas from the students. The project was kickstarted with a handful of paint-by-number events with help from community volunteers.
Location: Roskruge K-8, 501 E. Sixth St.
Noodies
Find this mural at restaurant Noodies, created by Jenna Tomasello.
Restaurant Noodies is home to this “birth of Venus” mural, created by Jenna Tomasello. “Jenna presented us with the idea of this comical, graphic version of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus with Venus holding a soft serve cone and angels feeding her pasta and we knew it would be perfect,” Noodies wrote on Instagram.
Location: Noodies, 1730 E. Speedway
The Folk Shop
Find this adorable mural at The Folk Shop, created by Ameira Al-Rudhan, Katie Levya and Bryce J. Rogers.
This adorable mushroom mural was created by Ameira Al-Rudhan, Katie Levya and Bryce J. Rogers.
Location: The Folk Shop, 2525 N. Campbell Ave.
Minor Mutiny
Check out this mural at The Drawing Studio, created by MOCA’s Minor Mutiny Teen Council.
This mural at The Drawing Studio was created by the Museum of Contemporary Art’s Minor Mutiny Teen Council.
Location: The Drawing Studio, 2760 N. Tucson Blvd.
Tierra Antigua Realty
This mural at Tierra Antigua Realty downtown was created by Ignacio Garcia.
Created by Ignacio Garcia is this mural that adds a pop of color to Tierra Antigua Realty’s entrance.
Location: 216 E. Congress St.
The Tuxon
Jessica Gonzales created two murals at The Tuxon.
Jessica Gonzales created two murals at The Tuxon, which she says were “inspired by a lifestyle that embraces elements of both the city and the desert, while also creating an inviting and inclusive space where guests at The Tuxon can feel invigorated and welcomed by what Tucson has to offer.”
Location: The Tuxon, 960 S. Freeway
The Boxyard
Jerry Wagner Jr. created this mural outside of The Boxyard on Fourth Avenue.
This mural by Jerry Wagner Jr. sits outside of The Boxyard on Fourth Avenue. He said he’s “really honored” to have a piece on the avenue.
Location: The Boxyard, 238 N. Fourth Ave.
IBTs
Created by Nolan Patterson with the help of Dixie Vonne, this mural sits atop IBT’s and celebrates pride.
Location: IBT’s, 616 N. Fourth Ave.
Zion City Church
Pictured is Joe Pagac’s largest mural to date, located at Zion City Church, 2561 W. Ruthrauff Road.
Joe Pagac’s largest mural to date — 6,700 square feet — is located at Zion City Church. Stephanie Pagac Garcia, Sue Kagel, Mary Beth Caccitolo, Ana Santos Acinas and Hanna Moreno also worked on the mural.
Location: Zion City Church, 2561 W. Ruthrauff Road
Goodwill mural
Find this mural by Rock Martinez at the Goodwill donation center, 1770 S. Cherrybell Stravenue.
Here’s what Rock Martinez had to say about this javelina mural: “This piece represents our desert community and the importance of our voyage from place to place. The experiences we encounter and the people we meet within our community creating their own paths. It is also a reminder to support local programs that change local lives.”
Location: Goodwill donation center, 1770 S. Cherrybell Stravenue
“La Mujer Empoderada”
Ignacio Garcia created this massive mural in downtown Tucson, 1 N. Fifth Ave.
This tall mural by Ignacio Garcia is called “La Mujer Empoderada” or “The Empowered Woman.” Garcia says the piece represents “strength, leadership and the beauty of boldness.”
Location: 1 N. Fifth Ave.
Amphitheater Middle School
This mural by Joe Pagac at Amphitheater Middle School is inspired by the school’s mascot, the pirate.
This bright mural is inspired by Amphitheater Middle School’s mascot, the pirate. It was done by Joe Pagac, Katherine Joyce, Ana Santos Acinas, Stephanie Pagac Garcia and Arielle Alelunas.
Location: Amphitheater Middle School, 315 E. Prince Road
The Desert Pen mural
The Desert Pen created this mural at a residence across from Randolph Recreation Center. It can be seen from Alvernon Way.
Created by Pen Macias, aka The Desert Pen, is this beauty found at a local residence. It can be seen from Alvernon Way, across from Randolph Rec Center, and was inspired by sunset colors, geometric patterns and the Southwest’s plant life.
Location: Along Alvernon Way, south of Broadway, across from Randolph Recreation Center, 200 S. Alvernon Way
Aretha Franklin
A mural of Aretha Franklin adorns an outside wall at Hotel McCoy. The mural was created by Alley Cat Murals.
Find this Aretha Franklin mural in a community space at Hotel McCoy, created by Alley Cat Murals. Hotel McCoy is home to nearly 70 different murals around its grounds.
Location: Hotel McCoy, 720 W. Silverlake Road
Looney Tunes
There’s a Looney Tunes mural near 27 N. Scott Ave. by Nina Palomba.
Tucked into a downtown alley is this playful Looney Tunes mural by national artist Nina Palomba. It celebrates 80 years of Tweety!
Location: Near 27 N. Scott Ave.
Wagon Burner Arts mural
This Wagon Burner Arts mural can be found across from American Eat Co. on South Fourth Avenue between East 24th and East 25th streets.
This stunning mural can be found across from American Eat Co. and was done by Wagon Burner Arts!
Location: Across from American Eat Co., 1439 S. Fourth Ave.
Sunshine Mile
Find this mural by Porter McDonald along the Sunshine Mile on the northwest corner of North Tucson Boulevard and East Broadway.
This Sunshine Mile mural by Porter McDonald shows javelinas against a bright-colored backdrop. The buildings on the javelinas represent the seven historic bungalows that were moved and saved from destruction during Broadway’s widening project. “What an amazing project this has been,” McDonald said on Instagram. “Huge shout out to everyone who came to help paint or just to keep me company.”
Location: Northwest corner of North Tucson Boulevard and East Broadway
Tucson Dental Studio
This beauty can be found at Tucson Dental Studio. It was created by Jonny Bubonik.
Pop over to Tucson Dental Studio to see this very Tucson mural by muralist and tattoo artist Jonny Bubonik.
Location: Tucson Dental Studio, 1331 N. Swan Road
Hello Bicycle mural
Find this adorable mural at Hello Bicycle, 3702 E. Hardy Dr. It was created by artist Sasha Aliza.
This adorable mural welcomes guests to bicycle shop Hello Bicycle. It was created by artist Sasha Aliza, who also made stickers for the shop!
Location: Hello Bicycle, 3702 E. Hardy Dr.
Greetings from Arizona
This mural, made by Wagon Burner Arts, can be found at 5807 E. 22nd St.
This beauty was created by Wagon Burner Arts, who said on Instagram: “Such an amazing time with amazing local artists who (are) bringing their artistic talent to the great communities of Tucson!”
Location: 5807 E. 22nd St.
Wagon Burner Arts mural
Find this mural by Wagon Burner Arts on the corner of Grant Road and Martin Avenue.
Another mural made by Wagon Burner Arts is this extra-long gem at a midtown residence. On Instagram, Wagon Burner Arts said: “A collection of references was gathered and over the course of three days, here is the outcome of a team of 4. Mind you, no one paid for this. Samual [the property owner] was kind enough to fund a portion of paint supplies. We paint because we are passionate. We give back when we can.”
Location: 1746 E. Grant Road
Stone Avenue mural
Part of the restored Stone Avenue mural located on Stone Avenue between Roger Road and Limberlost Drive on Dec. 21, 2021.
This mural, created by Pasqualina Azzarello and other artists, is located on a 630-foot-long wall that curves around Stone Avenue. It was created more than two decades ago and was most recently restored in the end of 2021. Read more about the mural and the restoration project here!
Location: Stone Avenue between Roger Road and Limberlost Drive
How Sweet It Was
Find this mural, by YuYu Shiratori, on the side of How Sweet It Was off of Fourth Avenue.
Artist YuYu Shiratori says of the above mural: “We are each our own solar systems, holding different ideas and spaces, having to coexist. I think it’s important to acknowledge that as individuals and a society, we are going to get things wrong, we don’t know everything and we have more unpacking to do to create a harmonious society for everyone to exist in. I hope this image can serve as a reminder to be receptive of the environment and people around us, and open to the changes we will see in the future.”
Location: How Sweet It Was, 424 E. Sixth St.
Himmel Park mural
A woman takes a photo of the new mural by Joe Pagac at Himmel Park.
This mural at Himmel Park took muralist Joe Pagac three years of planning, which included meeting with a neighborhood group to gather ideas. Part of the mural features a lizard and a Gila monster reading books, in honor of the Himmel Park Library.
Location: Himmel Park near the pool, 950 N. Tucson Blvd.
Monsoon in a bottle
Find this giant mural at 290 W. Fort Lowell Road, made by Ignacio Garcia.
When posting on Instagram about this mural, artist Ignacio Garcia described monsoons passing quickly, with its “euphoric” scent, “as if cutting open a watermelon.” Garcia’s mural shows “monsoon in a bottle” with hints of a pink sunset. See the mural in motion here!
Location: 290 W. Fort Lowell Road
Welcome to Oro Valley
Find this mural at the Oro Valley Marketplace. It was created by Pen Macias, also known as The Desert Pen.
This colorful mural by Pen Macias, aka The Desert Pen, welcomes visitors to Oro Valley. “It was an honor to create this mural for this beautiful town,” Macias said on Instagram.
Location: Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Road
Sunshine Mile mural
This mural is located at Caps and More Embroidery on Tucson Boulevard near Broadway.
Created by Alicia Ramirez, this mural is a tribute to the Sunshine Mile, featuring historic icons like Lerua’s, Hirsh’s Shoes and Bob’s Big Boy.
Location: Caps and More Embroidery, 198 S. Tucson Blvd.
Star Wars mural
Find this mural along Fourth Avenue, created by Jenna Tomasello and Alley Cat Murals.
Located on the building that was once home to Tallboys and later Pop’s Hot Chicken is this Star Wars mural created by Jenna Tomasello and Alley Cat Murals.
Location: 600 N. Fourth Ave.
Amazing Discoveries
This mural of a mesh of a Gila monster and a Quetzalcoatl dragon was created by Jessica Gonzales at Amazing Discoveries, 238 S. Tucson Blvd.
This goes without saying, but this Jessica Gonzales mural is colorful and eye-popping. She says it’s a mesh between a Gila monster and a Quetzalcoatl dragon.
Location: Amazing Discoveries, 238 S. Tucson Blvd.
Samantha Silverman tribute
This mural is a tribute to Samantha Silverman at the Two Forty Four gym. It was created by Danny Martin.
The above mural was created by Danny Martin as a tribute to CrossFit athlete Samantha Silverman. It’s located at the Two Forty Four gym, which said on Instagram: “Big shoutout to (Danny Martin) for taking on this project. It’s safe to say he nailed this (Samantha Silverman) tribute piece. We couldn’t be happier with it!”
Location: Two Forty Four, 244 S. Tucson Blvd.
Desert Museum mural
Find an animal-themed mural for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and TEP along the I-10 frontage road, 898 W. Simpson St, by Alley Cat Murals.
Find this “Protecting Pollinators” mural, for TEP and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, along the I-10 frontage road. It was created by Alley Cat Murals!
Location: 898 W. Simpson St.
Colorful Tucson, AZ mural
Several artists created this mural near Antigone Books off of North Fourth Avenue.
This mural, near Antigone Books and ShopUp Tucson, was created by several artists as part of The Living Mural project nearby.
Location: ShopUp Tucson, 329 E. Seventh St.
Kirk-Bear Canyon
This mural, by Joe Pagac, is located at the Kirk-Bear Canyon Library.
This mural seems like it goes on forever — so long that we couldn’t get all of it (or even half of it) in one photo. The mural was created by Joe Pagac, Katherine Joyce, Megan Nemeth and Brady Fellows.
Location: Kirk-Bear Canyon Library, 8959 E. Tanque Verde Road
Gastronomy mural
This mural by Ashley White is located at Zio Peppe on Tucson’s east side.
This mural was created by Ashley White, who says she came up with the idea for the mural when attending a conference about Tucson’s designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. “I love this city. Even though I did not grow up here, I call it home. This designation is just one reason why I’m a proud Tucsonan, but it’s one I like to celebrate hard,” she said on her Instagram.
Location: Zio Peppe, 6502 E. Tanque Verde Road
T-Bees
This mural, created by Ignacio Garcia, is at The Flash Tucson, a workspace and apartment complex that formerly housed Flash TV & Appliances.
Created by Ignacio Garcia, the above mural shows flying TVs, aka “T-Bees.” Decades ago, the building where this mural is located was home to Flash TV & Appliances. At the time, color TVs were all the rage. Garcia says the owner of the appliance shop ran commercials where he literally threw TVs off the roof to promote the new color ones. When thinking of a mural for this wall, Garcia had a few ideas but none seemed like the right fit. Then he said: “Let’s do flying TVs.”
Location: The Flash Tucson, 834 S. 6th Ave.
El Tour de Tucson
This mural, by Joe Pagac, is located on the west side of the Transamerica parking structure downtown, north of the historic Pima County courthouse.
Joe Pagac, with the help of Katherine Joyce Lester, Arielle Pagac-Alelunas and Brady Fellows, created this El Tour de Tucson mural, sponsored by Tucson Medical Center. “It’s so wonderful to have people and companies that value putting art into the community,” Pagac said on Instagram.
Location: West side of the Transamerica parking structure, 177 N. Church Ave.
Tucson Medical Center
This mural at Tucson Medical Center was painted by Joe Pagac, Katherine Joyce Lester and Arielle Pagac-Alelunas in March 2021.
Joe Pagac, Katherine Joyce Lester and Arielle Pagac-Alelunas completed this mural that incorporates colorful flowers and depictions of healthcare workers in March 2021 at Tucson Medical Center. “It honors all those who have sacrificed for our community through the pandemic this past year,” Pagac wrote on Instagram.
Location: On the northeast corner of Tucson Medical Center, opposite the Catalina Parking Garage, 5301 E. Grant Road
Community Foundation Campus
This mural by Ignacio Garcia is located at 5049 E. Broadway.
This towering mural by Ignacio Garcia, completed in March 2021, wraps around one of the corners of the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona campus building and is dedicated to former CEO Clint Mabie.
Location: 5049 E. Broadway
Benjamin Franklin financial mural
A Ben Franklin mural by Ignacio Garcia on the Frey Financial building at 2329 N. Tucson Blvd.
Another colorful mural by prolific muralist Ignacio Garcia features Ben Franklin and lots of hidden financial details like a bear and a bull.
Location: Frey Financial, 2329 N. Tucson Blvd.
“What We Do in the Shadows”
Danny Martin created this mural at 191 Toole of a character, Jackie Daytona, from the TV show “What We Do in the Shadows.”
If you’re a fan of the TV show “What We Do in the Shadows,” you’ll recognize this scene. Created by Danny Martin, this mural shows character Jackie Daytona, who is from Tucson, “Arizonia.”
Location: 191 Toole, 191 E. Toole Ave.
Barrio Santa Rosa
Located in Barrio Santa Rosa, 117 W. 20th St., is this Johanna Martinez mural that serves as a nod to Arizona history.
Located in Barrio Santa Rosa is this Johanna Martinez mural that serves as a nod to Arizona history.
Location: 117 W. 20th St.
Nosotros Academy mural
This mural, created by Alejandra Trujillo, at Nostros Academy is of Frank and Lupita Romero. Frank is the founder of the academy.
This mural, created by Alejandra Trujillo, honors Frank and Lupita Romero. Frank created Nostros Academy, where the mural is located. Frank Romero died in 2009.
Location: Nosotros Academy, 440 N. Grande Ave.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson mural
Pen Macias, also known as The Desert Pen, created this mural with the help of kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson. This is at the clubhouse located at 2585 E. 36th St.
This mural was done by artist Pen Macias, also known as The Desert Pen. Before starting the mural, Macias spoke with kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson about what they love most about the organization, things they enjoyed doing and what imagery represents Tucson in their eyes.
Location: Holmes Tuttle Clubhouse, 2585 E. 36th St.
Rialto Theatre
Find this mural in the alley of the Rialto Theatre. It was created by Salvador Duran.
Find this hidden mural, created by artist and musician Salvador Duran, tucked in the alley of the Rialto Theatre.
Location: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.
Arizona Arts Live mural
This mural, by Robbie Lee Harris, is located at 702 S. Stone Ave.
This mural was created by Robbie Lee Harris, in collaboration with Arizona Arts Live and BRINK Media. Harris says it’s a Día de los Muertos rendition of paintings “The Girl with a Pearl Earring” and “Bindo Altoviti.” Harris dedicated the project to his grandmother, who died as he was painting it, he said on Instagram.
Location: 702 S. Stone Ave.
Nopal mural
This nopal mural is by Zina “Phenx” Rubiner.
Zina “Phenx” Rubiner created this nopal mandala which can be found on the south wall of Cicli Noe bike shop.
Location: 1622 S. Sixth Ave.
University of Arizona School of Art
This Karlito Miller Espinosa mural takes up a wall of the University of Arizona School of Art on Speedway.
Karlito Miller Espinosa, also known as Mata Ruda, completed this massive mural on the north wall of the University of Arizona School of Art’s Joseph Gross Gallery in November 2020.
Location: The mural faces Speedway and is just east of Euclid Avenue
Pen Macias mural
This mural which celebrates nurses and mothers created by The Deset Pen (Pen Macias), fills a wall on Broadway between Alvernon Way and Columbus Boulevard.
Pen Macias, also known as The Desert Pen, worked on this commissioned mural in the spring of 2020. The mural honors the resiliency of mothers and nurses and their connection to their children and patients, especially amid the pandemic. Macias told the Arizona Daily Star the work represents her client, a single mother of four who is a nurse.
Location: On the south side of Broadway between Alvernon Way and Columbus Boulevard
Toole Avenue murals
The east wall of 197 E. Toole Ave., is covered with murals by different artists.
This downtown building houses the Toole Shed artist studios, Studio ONE: A Space for Art and Activism, and other artist spaces and local businesses. The east wall features a collection of murals by several local artists and seems to be ever-evolving.
Location: 197 E. Toole Ave.
“Desert Soul”
“Desert Soul” by El Mac (Miles MacGregor) can be seen on the east wall of Cobra Arcade, 63 E. Congress St.
Los Angeles-based artist El Mac (Miles MacGregor) was commissioned to create this mural on the east wall of Cobra Arcade at the beginning of 2020. “Tucson has been a special place for me ever since my first visit as a little kid when I caught a sunrise with my parents at nearby Mission San Xavier Del Bac — the same place where I would eventually marry my wife and baptize our son,” El Mac wrote in an Instagram post. “… I associate Tucson with a certain warm spirit of love and creativity, a tranquil Sonoran vitality, and I hope this mural can capture or transmit some of that desert soul.”
Location: Cobra Arcade, 63 E. Congress St.
Lash Factor Studio
Kellie Kongnso, owner of Lash Factor Studio, commissioned muralist J. Keegan Rider to create this small mural at the southeast corner of Simpson Street and Meyer Ave.
This mural, located at Lash Factor Studio, was created by J. Keegan Rider. “It has been such a pleasure to add even more beauty and art to the historic Barrio Viejo neighborhood, and the support and excitement of the community has been absolutely amazing,” Rider said on Instagram.
Location: Lash Factor Studio, 415 S. Meyer Ave.
MotoSonora
Find this Joe Pagac mural on a wall in the front parking lot of MotoSonora Brewing Co., 1015 S. Park Ave.
This cute desert creatures mural by Joe Pagac can be seen in the parking lot of MotoSonora Brewing Co.
Location: MotoSonora Brewing Co., 1015 S. Park Ave.
“The Cactus Comet Rides Again”
Artist Danny Martin with his mural “The Cactus Comet Rides Again” at Arizona Stadium.
Danny Martin created this mural, “The Cactus Comet Rides Again,” in September 2019. It honors Art Luppino, one of the University of Arizona’s best football players, who played with the team in the 1950s.
Location: Southeast corner of Arizona Stadium, 1 N. Championship Drive.
Sahara Apartments
This mural by Joe Pagac and Katherine Joyce is located along Stone Avenue near First Street.
Joe Pagac and Katherine Joyce created this absolutely dreamy bicycle mural featuring animals from the tiniest scarab beetle to a massive elephant cruising along a Saharan desert oasis. The mural is appropriately located at the Sahara Apartments.
Location: 919 N. Stone Ave.
Honoring Prince
This mural on the side of the Rialto Theatre honors Prince, who died in 2016.
This mural on the side of the Rialto Theatre honors Prince, who died in 2016. The mural was created by Joe Pagac.
Location: Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.
Liz Taylor mural
This mural by Sean John Cannon can be found at Old Town Apartments in Armory Park.
A young Elizabeth Taylor is the star of this mural by Sean John Cannon painted on the wall of the Old Town Apartments in Armory Park.
Location: 720 S. Fifth Ave.
Earth Bound mural
This otherwordly mural by Ignacio Garcia at 5055 E. Speedway is a tribute to the video game “EarthBound.”
Ignacio Garcia’s video game-inspired mural is out of this world.
Location: 5055 E. Speedway
La Suprema Works
Artist Isaac Caruso designed this mural and painted it with the help of community members.
This mural covers the entire north wall of La Suprema Works & Events in Barrio Viejo. Artist Isaac Caruso designed the artwork inspired by the culture and history of the building and neighborhood and it was painted with the help of community members to commemorate the 20th anniversary of United Way’s Days of Caring.
Location: 319 W. Simpson Street
Community Scholars
“Community Scholars” mural by Melo Dominguez.
Artist Melo Dominguez created this mural depicting community leaders and the many forms of activism and knowledge everyone possesses as part of Arizona Arts Live’s Ready for a Renaissance campaign. As part of the project, local artists were commissioned to create murals showing what Tucson’s post-pandemic renaisssance might look like.
Location: Wheels and More, 4801 S. 12th Ave.
Danny Martin mural in Armory Park
Snap your selfie with this skeleton woman taking a selfie by Danny Martin on Arizona Avenue across from Armory Park.
Find these two murals (above and below) by Tucson’s king of black and white skeleton murals, Danny Martin, in Armory Park and by the UA. One features a woman taking a selfie and the other features a mustachioed man.
Location: Southeast corner of East 12th Street and South Arizona Avenue, across from Armory Park.
Danny Martin mural near the University of Arizona
Find this mural by Danny Martin on the east wall of Momo’s on Sixth Street and Campbell Avenue.
You can’t miss this mural when driving down Campbell Avenue near Sixth Street!
Location: East wall of Momo’s, 1838 E. Sixth St.
Creative Machines
This eye-catching piece by Jessica Gonzales covers two walls at Creative Machines headquarters, 4141 E. Irvington Road.
Muralist Jessica Gonzales created this massive mural spanning two walls at the headquarters of Creative Machines, a Tucson-based design and manufacturing firm known for its interactive public art installations, exhibits, sculptures and ball machines. Gonzales finished the mural in September 2020. Her partner Dakin Martin assisted with the mural.
Location: Creative Machines, 4141 E. Irvington Road
Creative Machines
Nadia Hagen created this second mural on the Creative Machines property, which features some of the firm’s most beloved projects.
Nadia Hagen of Flam Chen and All Souls Procession, painted this mural showing some of Creative Machines’ most beloved projects over the years. We bet you can find a few you know.
Location: Creative Machines, 4141 E. Irvington Road
The Loft Cinema
This mural by Jessica Gonzales is on the west-facing wall of The Loft Cinema, at 3233 E. Speedway.
Jessica Gonzales turned this art she created for The Loft Cinema’s 2019 Film Fest into a mural on one of the theater’s external walls in September 2020.
Location: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway
Wagon Burner Arts mural in Barrio Hollywood
Find this beauty by Wagon Burner Arts on the west wall of Tucson Computer at 1016 W. St. Mary’s Road.
This stunning mural by Wagon Burner Arts brightens up the west wall of Tucson Computer, a repair shop in the Barrio Hollywood neighborhood.
Location: 1016 W. St. Mary’s Road
Miracle Manor mural
This Miracle Manor mural can be found at S K Market, 2520 N. 15th Ave. It was made by Michael B. Schwartz.
This colorful mural welcomes guests to Miracle Manor and sits on the side of S K Market. It was created by Michael B. Schwartz!
Location: S K Market, 2520 N. 15th Ave.
Tucson Welcomes U
Muralist Ignacio Garcia painted this cool cat on the west wall of Apple Tree Learning Center, 1010 E. Broadway.
This rad Ignacio Garcia mural is giving us some serious ’80s-’90s vibes.
Location: 1010 E. Broadway
Safe Shift
Find this Wagon Burner Arts Mural on the west wall of Safe Shift, an estate sale/resale store, at 2801 E. Grant Road
Patty Vallance, a businesswoman and philanthropist who spent many years volunteering and raising funds for the Greater Tucson Fire Foundation, commissioned this mural by Wagon Burner Arts. “This mural shows the camaraderie of brotherhood among firefighters. The image in the middle pays respect to those that have fallen while on the job,” Wagon Burner Arts shared on Instagram. The mural also pays tribute to other first responders and to Vallance, who died before it was completed.
Location: Safe Shift, 2801 E. Grant Road
Jessica Gonzales Mural
This mural is located in the area of Ninth Avenue and 17th Street. It was painted by local muralist Jessica Gonzales.
Another stunning mural by Jessica Gonzales can be found in the Barrio Viejo neighborhood.
Location: In the area of Ninth Avenue and 17th Street
Cicli Noe Murals
Two murals by Rock “Cyfi” Martinez cover the north wall of Cicli Noe at 1622 S. Sixth Ave.
Cicli Noe, a South Tucson bike repair shop, is home to two large murals themed around transportation and cycling created by Rock “Cyfi” Martinez. The first mural has a reminder to be aware of all those who share our streets including pedestrians and cyclists. The second mural features a large-scaled image of BMX competitor Kevin Peraza, who grew up in Tucson and is an X Games gold medalist.
Location: 1622 S. Sixth Ave.
Palo Verde Pool
Part of the Palo Verde Pool mural painted by student artists and Isaac Caruso.
This mural was created by muralist Isaac Caruso, with the help of four high school students: Alexis Hirth, Sarina Tusky, Jenna Linneman and Filomena Obono. Caruso says the mural represents “the legacy of community — how it carries on in present day and how even though things change, Tucson and the desert itself don’t.”
Location: Near the Palo Verde Pool in Palo Verde Park, 355 S. Mann Ave.
Stillness
This mural by Yu Yu Shiratori is one of several murals that can be seen at the MSA Annex.
Location: MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento
The Tuxon mural
Joe Pagac and FORS Architecture collaborated on this delightful mural that greets guests at The Tuxon Hotel.
Location: The Tuxon Hotel, 960 S. Freeway
Hope. Pass it on
A group of artists all contributed to this vibrant mural with a hopeful message. The artists are: Tommy Ohlrich, Sketch71, KT Held, Mel ‘Melo’ Dominguez, Lourdes Escalante, Sawaki, Koraima Lupian and Araceli G. The project was organized by Wagon Burner Arts.
Location: 2654 N. Campbell Ave.
Tucson Together
Each letter on this Tucson Together mural painted by Jessica Gonzales represents a local business: (from left to right) Old Tucson Studios, The Fox Theatre, Hotel Congress, Eegee’s, the Gateway Saguaro sign, Hub Restaurant and Ice Creamery, Ben’s Bells and the Rialto Theatre.
Jessica Gonzales painted this mural and each letter in the word “together” is done in the style of the logos of iconic local Tucson establishments.
Location: Playground Bar and Lounge, 278 E. Congress St.
Black Lives Matter mural
Camila Ibarra painted this Black Lives Matter mural on the side of Hotel Congress in solidarity with African Americans fighting police brutality and racial oppression.
Camila Ibarra created this Black Lives Matter mural in 2020.
Location: Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
Wild for the Night
Chris Miller painted this mural in 2017, which includes a wildcat, saguaros, the mountains and a sunset.
Location: 2610 N. Stone Ave.
Whale mural
Banner – University Medicine commissioned four Arizona artists to create five murals around town. This scene of flying whales, which is not finished yet, is being painted by Tucson muralist Joe Pagac. Find it at 2320 North Campbell Avenue near Grant.
Find these floating whales it near the corner of Campbell Avenue and Grant Road. They’re painted by local artist Joe Pagac. He says the mural represents the idea of thriving even under the most challenging circumstances.
Location: 2320 N. Campbell Ave.
Goodwill mural
Painted by muralist Joe Pagac, this large mural is located at the Goodwill location on Fourth Avenue.
This mural, created by Joe Pagac, can be seen on the outside of the Goodwill location on Fourth Avenue.
Location: Goodwill, 300 N. Fourth Ave.
Desert Heart
This mural, created by Phoenix muralist Lalo Cota, can be found on 3443 E. Speedway Blvd., near The Loft Cinema. Cota is a surrealist painter who draws inspiration from his Mexican-American heritage.
If you needed proof that saguaros are the heart of the desert, look no further than this heart mural created by Phoenix artist Lalo Cota. Find this mural a couple buildings down from The Loft Cinema heading east on Speedway.
Location: 3443 E. Speedway
Fourth Avenue mural
Find this tranquil lady on Forth Avenue near Eighth Street. It was painted by Tucson artist Ignacio Garcia as part of a mural project commissioned by Banner – University Medicine
If this artwork puts you at ease, lean into it — that was the intention behind this Ignacio Garcia mural, which can be found on Fourth Avenue.
Location: 246 N. Fourth Ave.
Desert lungs mural
Another mural crated by Lalo Cota for Banner – University Medicine. Find this one near Oracle and Prince at 3540 N. Oracle Road.
Find this colorful gem by Lalo Cota near the corner of Oracle Road and Prince Road. Similar to another mural he created of the heart saguaro, the tree and lungs signify life.
Location: 3540 N. Oracle Road
Selena mural at American Eat Co.
The Selena mural on the back wall of American Eat Co. was painted by local artist Jonny Ballesteros.
Local artist Jonny Ballesteros spent about two weeks spray-painting this ’90s-inspired image of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez on an American Eat Co. wall.
Location: American Eat Co. and Market, 1439 S. Fourth Ave.
El Rio mural
Several El Rio Neighborhood Center murals painted in 1976 by Tucson artist David Tineo got a lot of sprucing up recently with the help from local artists and youth volunteers.
Location: El Rio Nighborhood Center, 1390 W. Speedway
Running of the Piñatas
Detail of the piñata mural by Ignacio Garcia.
You can find Ignacio Garcia’s mural of a boy running away from colorful piñatas near Sixth Avenue and Congress Street. The mural was inspired by Garcia’s own childhood memory of being chased by a bull in Redington, Arizona, on a family trip.
Location: 31 N. Sixth Ave.
The Little One
A Jessica Gonzales mural stretches along a wall at Sun Tran’s special services transit building, 151 N. Stone Ave.
Find Jessica Gonzales’s vibrant mural on the north wall of the The Little One restaurant in downtown Tucson. Gonzales says this mural was inspired by the idea of exploration — in both the physical and emotional sense.
Location: The Little One, 151 N. Stone Ave.
Roadrunner mural
This roadrunner mural by Joe Pagac is located on the Cirrus Visual printing and design building at 601 N. Stone Ave.
This 94-foot mural was created by Tucson artist Joe Pagac and can be spotted as you’re heading into downtown on Stone Avenue.
Location: Cirrus Visual building, 601 N. Stone Ave.
La Madre
Racheal Rios mural at 86 East Alameda Street.
Feel the desert come alive with this wonderful mural created by local artists Racheal Rios and Carlos Valenzuela. It’s part of the downtown mural project.
Location: 86 E. Alameda St.
La Encantada
This mural by Joe Pagac is located at La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr.
Joe Pagac created this mural at the La Encantada shopping center.
Location: La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr.
Sonora
Karlito Miller Espinosa aka Mata Ruda, the artist, teaches an illustration class in the school of art at the University of Arizona.
This mural was finished in 2018 by artist Karlito Miller Espinosa aka Mata Ruda and his two University of Arizona art students Analaura Villegas and Brisa Tzintzun.
Location: Historic Y building, 300 W. University Blvd.
Sugar Hill Neighborhood murals
Murals by Tucson Arts Brigade line a resident’s fence in the Sugar Hill neighborhood.
Find these cool murals created by the Tucson Arts Brigade in the Sugar Hill Neighborhood. Sugar Hill is a historic neighborhood.
Location: Near the southeast corner of North Sixth Avenue and East Linden Street
MOCA
“Split Screen” mural by Amir H Fallah at MOCA in Tucson.
This mural “Spilt Screen” was created by artist Amir H. Fallah and can be found outside of MOCA: Museum of Contemporary Art in Tucson.
Location: MOCA, 265 S. Church Ave.
The Talking Mural
Alex Jiménez y Johanna Martínez colaboraron en este nuevo proyecto, “The Talking Mural”, en Raspados Oasis, por la Avenida Doce. El mural representa a los comerciantes de la zona y sus labores.
Tierra Y Libertad worked with artists Alex Jimenez and Johanna Martinez on “The Talking Mural” on the Raspados Oasis building. La Doce Foodways Project engaged residents, business owners and students to learn about sustaining and strengthening the barrios along South 12th Avenue.
Location: Raspados Oasis, 4126 S. 12th Ave.
Cafe 54
Rachel Slick, Tim Schirack, and Alexandra Gjurasic painted a mural on the Cafe 54 building at 54 E. Pennington Street.
This mural can be found on the west side of Cafe 54 downtown. It was created by Rachel Slick, Tim Schirack, and Alexandra Gjurasic.
Location: Cafe 54, 54 E. Pennington St.
Why I Love Where I Live
This mural of a girl ready to take your photo is partially a thank-you from Why I Love Where I Live co-founder Kristin Tovar, who fell in love with Tucson while taking photos of the beauty she saw around her.
Two murals were commissioned by Why I Love Where I Live to help other people see Tucson’s beauty. Artist Danny Martin painted them. Kristin Tovar, co-founder of Why I Love Where I Live, said murals played a role in her own journey toward loving Tucson.
Location: 234 E. Sixth St.
Tucson greeting card
A mural by Greetings From… was painted in the alley behind Miller Surplus at 406 N. Sixth Ave., in February 2017 by Victor Ving and his girlfriend, photographer Lisa Beggs.
This mural was created by traveling artists Victor Ving Lisa Beggs as part of a cross-country mural project called the “Greetings Tour.”
Location: 406 N. Sixth Ave.
“Goddess of Agave”
Extra points if you see that awesome gray van parked in front. Retro futuristic!
This 40-foot creation is another mural by Rock Martinez. He also had assistance from artist Cristina Perez.
Location: 440 N. Seventh Ave.
“Crested Eclipse”
Rock Martinez created this mural of a crested saguaro lady on Fourth Avenue. Find it in the Sky Bar parking lot.
Location: Sky Bar Tucson, 536 N. Fourth Ave.
Epic Rides
In Tucson, bicycling plus murals equal perfection. That’s what local muralist Joe Pagac was counting on when he launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund this enormous mural at Sixth Street and Stone Avenue.
Location: 534 N. Stone Ave., facing Sixth Street
Finding Nemo
Wish Tucson looked a little more like this right about now …
It’s hard to imagine finding mermaids and water in the Sonoran Desert. We found it — and Nemo. Muralist Joe Pagac made this one, but you wouldn’t know it because it’s not signed. “The concept is something perceived as ugly harboring something beautiful inside and protecting it,” Pagac said.
Location: 191 E. Toole Ave.
All Souls Procession
Artist Susan Kay Johnson’s crazy-long mural will remind you of the All Souls Procession because she painted it to depict the yearly event. The mural takes up a whole block on Ninth Avenue in the Dunbar Spring Neighborhood. Follow it and you’ll feel part of the procession again. (Johnson is actually the creator of the All Souls Procession.)
Location: Along Ninth Avenue, south of University Boulevard
Phoenix Mars Mission
The Phoenix Mars Mission Mural is located on the south wall of the Micheal J. Drake building.
This 1,200-square-foot creation was at one point Tucson’s biggest mural, according to the Tucson Citizen. The mural was painted in 2006 by a group of by University of Arizona art students for a class led by UA professor Alfred Quiroz as a way to highlight the UA’s contributions to the Phoenix Mars Mission.
Located: Michael J. Drake Building, 1415 N. Sixth Ave.
“Vergiss”
We couldn’t find a signature on the mural but after a few minutes of searching, we found out Irish artist Fin Dac painted this. Dac travels around the world and paints women of East Asian cultures with an intention to rewire stereotypes surrounding women in that culture.
Location: 178 E. Broadway
Blue quail and oranges
Isaac Caruso’s juicy mural is located at 9 N. Scott Avenue.
This is a 50-foot-wide by 50-foot-high mural located in an alley by 47 Scott. Phoenix-based artist Isaac Caruso painted the mural in just six days and he actually slept in the air on the lift so that he could work as late as possible. It features a blue quail and ripe oranges, which makes him think of Tucson.
Location: 9 N. Scott Ave.
Frida and Diego
The “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Menlo Park” mural is by Rock Martinez.
The “Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Menlo Park” mural lives south of the Mercado San Agustin on the wall of a residential home and features a dancing Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera in an afterlife celebration. The mural was completed by Rock Martinez in November 2016 for the All Souls Procession.
Location: South of Menlo Park
Cesar Chavez mural
Find this mural, by Melchor Ramirez, in Cesar Chavez Park in the Five Points neighborhood, 760 S. Stone Ave.
Continuing south from downtown, you’ll see this sweeping mural of what looks like Indigenous deities perched next to the Aztec mother goddess Tonan. They’re actually historical figures like Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi and Chicano activist Cesar Chavez. The scene was painted by by muralist Melchor Ramirez in honor of Chavez.
Location: 760 S. Stone Ave.
Mission Manor mural
This mural was painted by Mission Manor Elementary School students during the 1990-1991 school year. If you look closely at the pillars you can see the names of all of the teachers who taught at Mission Manor that year.
Location: Mission Manor Elementary School, 600 W. Santa Rosa St.
La Pilita mural
This mural has lots of popular folk icons, like the Virgen de Guadalupe and the Aztec sun god Huitzilopochtli.
Tucked back into a side street near the El Tiradito wishing shrine, this mural is one of Barrio Viejo’s greatest gems. It was originally painted in the ’80s by students under the supervision of muralist Martin Moreno, but was touched up by the artist in 2011. It depicts a Latino family at Gates Pass, with the Aztec feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl looking on.
Location: 420 S. Main Ave.
Parque de San Cosme mural
This mural is right behind the new Tucson Fire Department headquarters.
Just down Simpson Street from the La Pilita mural is this tour de fource by local muralist Luis Gustavo Mena. It’s a sprawling mural with depictions of various athletes, celebrities and even Jesus. Don’t miss the message, written in Spanish on the bottom right about “La Vida de nuestros Barrios Viejos.” Hint: it’s about music.
Location: On Simpson Street just west of Main Avenue
“Serape Sunrise”
Rock “Cyfi” Martinez finished this mural in February of this year.
You can find this one on the south side, at Desert Suds CarWash on South 12th Avenue. It’s painted by Rock “Cyfi” Martinez, the muralist behind the Agave Goddess on Sixth Street. (For this, he had the help of Fernando Leon.) If you look closely, you can see a UFO.
Location: Desert Suds CarWash at 4610 S. 12th Ave.
Barrio Centro
The Tucson Arts Brigade sponsored the Barrio Centro Community Mural Project called Beautify and Unify in 2011. The mural depicts stories and memories of Barrio Centro residents including social life, music, and the railroad. It stretches more than 170 feet long on a cement block wall in a Lucky Wishbone parking lot.
Location: On the wall next to the Lucky Wishbone at 2721 E. 22nd St.