7 Must-See Murals in Downtown Chicago
Head down Wabash Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, and you’ll notice something different about the buildings. Colorful murals—both at street level and soaring stories high—jump out among storefront signs, billboards, and scaffolding.
In 2013, Columbia College Chicago launched the Wabash Arts Corridor to demonstrate our commitment to creativity and public art. The initiative turned a stretch of South Wabash Avenue (and beyond) into a constantly evolving urban canvas. Here are seven standouts in the South Loop. Get inspired.
1. Slime Mountain | Artist: Heidi Unkefer ’13
623 S. Wabash Ave.
The unofficial mascot of Columbia, Slime Mountain features Illustration alum Heidi Unkefer’s trademark gooey, cartoony style.
2. China Truborn | Artist: Louise “Ouizi” Chen
1312 S. Michigan Ave.
Ouizi—an artist out of Detroit—adds another vibrant piece to her collection of signature floral murals. (Unfortunately, it’s not a scratch-and-sniff. We tried.)
3. Stop Telling Women to Smile | Artist: Tatyana Fazlalizadeh
801 S. Wabash Ave.
Brooklyn-based artist and activist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh added another installment to her Stop Telling Women to Smile project, which addresses gender-based street harassment.
4. We Own the Future | Artist: Shepard Fairey
916 S. Wabash Ave.
Renowned subversive street artist Shepard Fairey is the mind behind the Obama Hope posters.
5. I Am Love | Artist: Shinique Smith
1600 S. State St.
Brooklyn-based artist Shinique Smith’s explosion of ideas and colors lives on the the side of Columbia’s Media Production Center.
6. The Seeds We Plant Today Determine Our Growth for Tomorrow | Artist: Sam Kirk ’05
1306 S. Michigan Ave.
Multidisciplinary artist and Columbia alum Sam Kirk inspires pride for underrepresented communities with her work.
7. Impossible Meeting | Artist: Marina Zumi
910 S. Michigan Ave.
It’s impossible to miss Brazil-based artist Marina Zumi’s breathtaking large-scale mural, depicting an ethereal wildlife scene.
Narrowing down your list of colleges? If you’re a creative student, Columbia College Chicago is the place for you. This list is only a sampling of the magnificent murals peppered throughout our campus. We’re committed to fostering creativity in the community and among our students through our public art initiatives and specialized programs of study.
Columbia offers more than 100 bachelor’s degree programs in visual arts, performing arts, media and digital arts, music and sound, business and management, and communication and writing. Find your creative fit.