Ever wondered what those funky paintings on the walls of some city streets are, and why they are there? These large-scale works of art are called murals, and the city of Spokane has a surplus of them. For those students who are feeling the need to get off campus and explore something new and unique, here is a short guide to some of the more notable murals you can find around the city. 

Visitspokane.com has an extensive list of the murals you can find in Spokane. They highlight murals found in downtown, the North Monroe District and the Garland Art Alley. 

One mural that you have likely seen if you are a traveling student is the “Maple Street Mural,” which is located under a train overpass. Drivers are unlikely to miss it driving through, with its bright orange and red primary tones, and large figures and faces blasting out of the mural’s walls.  

Started in 2008 and completed in 2014, brothers Todd and Cain Benson were allegedly inspired by the Obama and McCain Presidential Election and wanted to subtly tie in the politics at the time and the cultures which embody the community of Spokane. The mural is split between S. Maple St. and W. 2nd Ave., hence the name. 

According to Google Maps, it is seven miles away from campus, requiring roughly 15 minutes to commute. To get to the mural, drive the same path that you would likely use if you were taking I-90. Head down N. Wall St., then turn right onto N. Country Homes Blvd., and continue on this road; It will eventually change into N. Ash St. Finally, keep left, turn left onto N. Maple St. and continue straight. The mural will be shortly after you cross the bridge. 

Another notable mural would be Spokane’s recent “Sound Wall Mural” near the Iron Bridge in eastern Spokane. At 700 feet in length, it is the longest mural in the city. The project was a collaborative effort of multiple artists, with Karli Fairbanks as the organizer. Each section of the mural showcases different colors, styles and ideas from the community. Overall, it gives off a friendly, fun, bright and diverse feel, and it leaves no doubt that it was a multi-artist work. 

The mural, according to the Spokesman Review, can be seen at a gravel lot between Mallon Avenue and Hogan Street. This lot is roughly 20 minutes away from campus, and is a relatively straight shot after you turn right onto N. Crestline St. It is worth noting, however, that this lot sits across from a neighborhood, so make sure to be courteous to your surroundings. 

Now, you may be wondering how these murals are popping up in Spokane in the first place; wouldn’t this count as graffiti? Surprisingly, these murals are being commissioned by members of the city. For instance, the “Sound Wall Mural” was commissioned by the owner of Iron Bridge’s condominiums and apartments, partly because it would stop the owner from paying maintenance fines for “graffiti-free” walls.  

While there may be differences in overall style and techniques, the ultimate deciding factor that decides mural art over regular graffiti is that it is approved by members of the community, while graffiti work is typically seen as vandalization of property. In addition, murals tend to have the distinction of reflecting the greater city community, highlighting the artistic values that city members have, while graffiti tends to stand for personal rebellion. 

Using the aforementioned guides, students can hunt down and discover the vast catalog of Spokane’s murals and can come to their own conclusions on what they mean to them – as members of Spokane’s greater community. While there may not seem to be a distinction within mural art initially, perhaps it will be revealed once students explore and see what Spokane’s street artists have to offer.