Exploring the inner city has taken on new significance in recent years with entire neighborhoods transformed by local artists creating street art murals that are simply mesmerizing. While Philadelphia is rightfully called “The Mural Capital of the World” with 4,300 murals on display throughout the city, the historic Deep Ellum neighborhood of Dallas is known for its energetic vibe, music clubs, lounges, restaurants, and more than 130 amazing ‘graffiti walls’, as they are sometimes called, block after block of dazzling color.
Deep Ellum has been the place to go in Dallas for jazz and the blues since the 1920s. Renowned performers such as Huddie “Leadbelly” Ledbetter, Bessie Smith, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and many others were known to frequently played the clubs here. That tradition continues to this day with over 30 live music venues drawing in hordes of locals and visitors to the city every week.
Our Dallas bed & breakfast, praised as a “hidden gem” by D Magazine, is perfectly situated for discovering and photographing stunning mural. Create unique and captivating Instagram posts!
The street art murals of Deep Ellum were the brainchild of the CEO of 42 Real Estate, Scott Rohrman, and his partners back in 2016. The idea was to invite North Texas artists to paint the walls of the neighborhood, which at the time wasn’t the nicest part of Dallas. Knowing that if his investment in the area was to be a success he would have to spruce it up, his request for proposals for the walls led to more than 200 responses. Forty-two artists were chosen with the sole incentive being the chance to exhibit their work for all to see in person, as well as on social media.
With three times the number of original graffiti walls (murals) today, Deep Ellum has become a place for tourists to explore not only for the art, but for the dining and music scenes too.
The highest concentration of street art murals can be seen along Elm Street, Main Street, and Commerce St., from the Latimer Expressway on the west to S. Walton St. on the east.
Some of our favorite walls of Deep Ellum art
Here are some of our favorite walls of Deep Ellum art, though determining those you prefer is completely subjective.
Rush Hour, by Dan Kitchener
2715 Elm St.
A rush hour scene based on traffic in Tokyo, Japan.
Stevie Ray Vaughn, by Steve Hunter @HunterCreates
On Crowdus between Main St. and Elm St.
Memorial to the legendary Dallas blues musician, guitarist, and song writer.
Not All Heroes Wear Capes, by Steve Hunter @HunterCreates
2645 Commerce St. Dot’s Hop House and Cocktail Courtyard
Created during the COVID-19 pandemic and dedicated by the owner of Dot’s to his mother, a health care nurse.
Hope, by Cody Hudson
2901 Elm St.
A brightly colored and inspiring mural which includes the definition of ‘hope’.
Opt for Optimism, by Mario E. Figueroa, Jr. (aka GONZO247)
2801 Elm St.
One of a series of uplifting murals produced for Frost Bank in various Texas cities. This one says, “Stay on the Bright Side”.
Tribute to Texas, by Tristan Eaton
2700 Commerce St.
On the side of The Stack office building, this 8,500-square-foot mural is nothing short of spectacular. It features a portrait of a cowboy hat wearing Black woman, pointing out that Deep Ellum was originally settled by freed slaves. The artist’s solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement is also noticeable.
Deep Ellumphants, by Adrian Torres
3601 Main St.
An amazing work by an exceptionally talented muralist. Picture a herd of larger than life elephants covering the side of an abandoned building in soft blue tones.
Multiple Murals
Parking lot 64 across from the Free Man Cajun Café
2625-2629 Commerce St.
Historical memorial, multi-colored VW bug and mouse, and two others with interesting and complex messages.
Ellum’s graffiti street art depicts an enormous array of artistic thoughts and ideas, as well as some creations that are perplexing and fascinating at the same time. Strolling through this outdoors cultural collection can take hours if you have the time, or you may opt for a slow drive during the sizzling summer months. Either way, our local murals shouldn’t be missed if you appreciate artistic talent being displayed in the community for everyone to enjoy.
Guests of our Dallas bed and breakfast are within a short distance of the Dallas Arts District. Popular points of interest here include the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
