Vibrant color. Bold ideas. Towering walls. Oh, and those snow-capped Wasatch peaks photobombing every mural shot? That's just Salt Lake's outdoor art gallery showing off.
Sure, every city has walls with paint on them—but can they offer you a morning mural hunt downtown followed by an afternoon hike with mountain vistas? Our street art scene isn't just art—it's art with altitude. It's where community-driven artists and social movements get a canvas that comes with its own natural backdrop. LA and New York may have quantity, but do they have painted walls framed by alpine glow? Didn't think so.
Whether you're a street art enthusiast, casual explorer, or first-time visitor, this guide will help you navigate Salt Lake City's most iconic murals—with deeper context, artist highlights, and practical info to explore them with ease.
Painted Walls, Mountain Views: What Sets Salt Lake’s Murals Apart
- Socially Conscious Art: Salt Lake murals frequently tackle topics like racial justice, Indigenous identity, environmentalism, and queer visibility—reflecting our community's values in technicolor.
- Mountain-Urban Contrast: The murals pop even more thanks to the surrounding Wasatch Range—an ever-present, snow-capped backdrop that transforms ordinary street art into something you'll actually want on your Instagram.
- Locally Powered: Most murals were commissioned through local festivals, grants, or community initiatives. You'll find collaboration, not just decoration—these walls tell stories that matter.
Salt Lake's Must-See Murals
Ave Maria by El Mac
156 East 200 South | Downtown Salt Lake
One of Salt Lake's most striking and revered pieces, "Ave Maria" is the work of internationally renowned artist El Mac. His luminous, soft-focus portrait technique is unmistakable—creating a tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe that rises several stories high. Pro tip: catch this one in morning light when the golden halo seems to actually glow against the mountain backdrop.
Miles MacGregor, known as "El Mac," is best known for exploring feminine beauty and honoring ordinary, overlooked, or marginalized people. He has been commissioned to paint all over the world.
Utah Jazz Mural by Karabo Poppy Moletsane
401 West 200 South | Downtown Salt Lake
When South African artist Karabo Poppy met Utah basketball culture, magic happened. Commissioned by the Utah Jazz as part of the NBA's "Art Uplift" initiative, this mural fuses Afro-futurist style with Salt Lake sensibilities. Look closely and you'll spot mountain motifs and local wildlife patterns hidden within the bold geometry and vibrant colors—a perfect mashup of global game and local landscape.
South Africa resident Karabo Poppy has taken her unique style to global lengths, from working with brands such as Apple, Google, NBA, Coca-Cola, to working on a Grammy nominated music video.
Squatter’s Mural by Trent Call, Mackinzie Donovan, Chuck Landvatter and Mike Murdock
147 West Broadway | Downtown Salt Lake
Four local artists, one massive wall, and enough visual chaos to keep you discovering new details every time you visit. This downtown icon wraps around the old Guthrie Bicycle building, mixing comic book aesthetics with abstract shapes that practically vibrate with energy. The mural changes as you walk, revealing hidden faces and patterns, like Salt Lake itself.
The four artists, Trent Call, Mackinzie Donovan, Chuck Landvatter and Mike Murdock all Salt Lakers, are some of the city's most prolific muralists and have contributed to the local scene for decades. This work reflects their eclectic styles and deep ties to the community.
Rock Legends Mural by Gina Ribaudo
162 400 W | The Gateway Salt Lake
Music lovers, this one's for you. Iconic faces like David Bowie, Prince, and Aretha Franklin watch over The Gateway in a mural that pulses with as much energy as the concerts next door. The bright colors and stencil-style portraits have become a landmark that screams "take my picture" to every passer-by with a phone in hand.
Created by Gina Ribaudo, a self-taught contemporary artist who's been running her own fine art and mural painting business for more than 30 years, the mural speaks to the influence of global pop culture while rooting itself firmly in the local arts scene.
Book Mural by Paul Heath
222 South Main Street | Downtown Salt Lake
Bookworms, prepare to geek out—this literary masterpiece isn't just slapping some random book covers on a wall. Paul Heath went full bibliophile, recreating rare edition bindings of classics from Harry Potter to Animal Farm with the kind of attention to detail that makes actual book collectors double-take. It's the kind of mural with tourists and locals alike stopping mid-stride, coffee in hand, for an impromptu literature appreciation moment.
Originally designed to cover two rows of books, the piece remains unfinished due to budget constraints. As a result, the mural is one of the few in the city without an artist's signature. The mural was created for Weller Book Works, but with the bookstore's relocation, its future is uncertain, making it all the more important to visit soon before it potentially disappears.
Utah Women 2020 - Jann Haworth & Alex Johnson
37 100 South | Downtown Salt Lake
Located in downtown Salt Lake City, the Utah Women 2020 mural is a vibrant 5,000-square-foot tribute to the contributions of Utah women—past and present. Commissioned by Zions Bank to honor the centennial of the 19th Amendment, the piece was co-created by renowned pop artist Jann Haworth (of Sgt. Pepper album cover fame) and Alex Johnstone. The mural features over 250 powerful figures from across the state, blending history, art, and advocacy into one striking celebration of progress.
Magic School Bus Mural by Roger Whiting
18 East 800 South | Granary District
Remember when field trips were magical? This vibrant wall on the east side of Tanner Frames will shoot you straight back to childhood. The iconic yellow bus by Roger Whiting soars through a whimsical landscape complete with a dragon DJ and floating cupcakes—because why not? It's the kind of pure joy that makes adults smile just as much as kids, proving that Salt Lake knows how to balance its serious side with a healthy dose of playfulness.
Whiting runs Community Arts of Utah, a collaborative arts business to promote arts education among local underprivileged and underserved youth.
Self-Guided Mural Tour
Want the full mural experience without spending your entire vacation staring at maps? Here's your ready-to-roll art loop that'll have you back at the bar/coffee shop/hotel in time for your dinner reservation:
- Start Downtown (Where the Art Meets the Mountains)
Knock out three jaw-droppers in about 20 minutes of walking—Ave Maria, the Utah Jazz masterpiece, and the Squatters mural are all within a few blocks of each other.
- Head to The Gateway
Drive or bike to see Rock Legends Mural by Gina Ribaudo located in the very vibrant shopping and entertainment district of The Gateway.
- Finish in the Granary District
End your tour at Whiting's Magic School Bus mural and grab a drink or snack at a nearby brewery. The Granary is rapidly transforming from industrial to artistic, and you'll want to say you saw it before everyone else did.
Estimated tour time: 2.5 to 3 hours. TRAX & Greenbike available for partial transit options, making it easy to mix art appreciation with actual transportation.
Ready to Hunt Down Some Wall-Sized Masterpieces?
Salt Lake's street art tells our story in technicolor—where else can you see global artists, local legends, and passionate newcomers all leaving their mark against a mountain backdrop? Grab comfortable shoes, your camera, and maybe a local craft brew to reward yourself afterward. These walls have something to say, and trust us—you'll want to listen.
Explore the murals. Meet the artists. See the city.
