MURAL-HUNTING IN RICHMOND, VA

RVA MURALS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

Mural-hunting has become my new pastime since moving to RVA. I could spend hours wandering the streets and never pass the same piece twice.

For a comparatively small city Richmond has an impressive collection of street art. Thanks in large part to collaborative efforts by the Richmond Mural Project and RVA Street Art Festival, over 150 murals have popped up within the last 10 years. Local and international muralists of all styles have left their beauty marks on Virginia’s capital city.

Below are some of my favorites.

Check out this map, painstakingly compiled by a Richmond native, that includes mural locations, names, and artists. 

Welcome to RVA! This mural is located on the side of the Charm School Social Club, which serves some of the best ice cream in the city (they have great vegan options too). The mural’s letters originally contained different scenes, but they were updated by the artists to reflect the civil unrest and BLM protests of 2020. It’s a great example of how murals can become living art.

I love murals in unexpected places, like NightOwl’s musings painted on this panel box. His other murals, including the “Greetings from Richmond” featured above, are great examples of his high concept, thoughtful art.

Somewhere on Chapel Island, deep in the heart of the city, I stumbled upon this treasure of a childhood memory. I haven’t been able to walk or ride back to that area, but best believe when I find it, I’ll update the location for y’all to check out!

It wasn’t until I looked up this Jackson Ward mural that I learned about the incredible story of John Mitchell Jr. and the Richmond Planet, America’s first black newspaper. At only 21 years old, Mitchell became editor of the newspaper. Under his guidance, the Richmond Planet became a prominent voice against racial injustice.

Jerkface disrupts our nostalgia with his twisted cartoon murals. He’s got a couple of other warped favorites scattered around the city, like eyeless Mickey Mouse and Roger Rabbit .

Another walk down memory alley. Who didn’t want to rule the streets with Arnold and the gang?

Jason and I were blown away by both the scale and vibrancy of this mural. Victor Quiñonez’s strong ties to his indigenous roots are evident in all of his work. His murals are rich in color and I love the way he incorporates geometric shapes.

Although artist NILS has a multitude of incredible murals dotting Richmond’s neighborhoods, “Within,” completed during the 2015 RVA Street Art Festival, is arguably one of his best.

Who’s a good boy! This is Patron, Richmond resident, and one of three dog murals on The King Agency office building.

The ad company partners with the non-profit organization, Fetch-A-Cure, and auctions off mural space on their building during the Annual Pets on Parade fundraiser. This mural is another of artist, NILS, incredible work.

This is exactly how I feel after a Philly cheese footlong. 

Although this mural is heavily weathered when compared to his glory days, he still stands out as a fave of mine.

ARYZ’s shroomed-out elephant gives me evil scientist vibes. I’m not sure what to make of this Argentinian artist’s mural, but it serves as a marker for one of my favorite spots to get boozy shakes.

The stories behind Emily Herr‘s work are just as incredible as the paintings themselves. During her GirlsGirlsGirls tour, Emily used photo submissions of everyday women in action to celebrate female individuality and complexity.

I smile every time I pass Scribe’s whimsical animal mural. I love the pop of color it provides to Jackson Ward’s historic neighborhood.

Okay okay, yes this is another NILS mural. But how are you not obsessed with this guy’s twisted realism?

We call this one our RVA engagement mural. The weekend Jason and I got engaged, we went for a jog around our new hometown and stumbled upon the Canal Walk murals. The artist is a bit elusive, but it seems he’s developed El Kamino as a style all it’s own.

Natalia Rak used 70 cans of spray to bring magic to this gravel lot as the first female artist in the Richmond Mural Project. Although this mural has faded with age, it is still a fine example of her colorfully mystical style and shadow play. Check out her other work here.

Any other OG Pokémon fans out there? I’m still searching for the artist of this hermit crab mural to see if Parasect (or Dwebble for you newer gen folks) served as their inspiration.

Check Them Out!

How great were these? They are just a taste of the ever-increasing street art RVA has to offer.

Many of these murals were painted during the annual RVA Street Art Festival– an event that brings in local and international artists to revitalize, via street art, pre-designated locations. 

The public is invited to watch as the space transforms, in real time, from blank canvas to collaborative masterpiece. The festival also features a plethora of food trucks, kid-friendly activities, and live music. 

The RVA Street Art festival is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 17, 2022. Comment below if I’ll see you there!