Who painted the mural and when was it created?

The mural was painted by University of Texas art alumni Kerry Awn, Rick Turner, and Tommy Bauman (also known as Tommy Bee). They began painting the mural in 1973 and completed it in February 1974.

Where is the mural located?

The mural is located near the University of Texas campus at 453-401 W 23rd St., near the intersection of 23rd Street and Guadalupe.

Has the mural been restored or updated since it was first painted?

Yes, the mural has been repainted, updated, and restored multiple times over the past 50 years, including major restorations by the original artists in 1982, 2002, 2014, and most recently in 2022. These updates have added new characters, skyscrapers, and other cultural elements to the wall.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

23rd Street Mural (Austintatious) in Austin

23rd Street Mural (Austintatious)

Discover "Austintatious," Austin’s oldest and most iconic public mural. Painted by UT students starting in 1973, this vibrant street masterpiece captures the city's counterculture history, landmarks, and a quirky portrait of Stephen F. Austin holding an armadillo.

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What is the 23rd Street Mural (Austintatious) and why is it famous?

The 23rd Street Mural (Austintatious) is widely recognized as Austin's first, oldest, and most important public mural, serving as a vibrant cornerstone of the city's counterculture history. It was created by University of Texas art students who were inspired by California's social murals to paint a piece dedicated to the city they loved.

What does the mural depict?

The massive, brightly colored mural features a rounded Austin skyline framing Stephen F. Austin holding armadillos. It also depicts various city landmarks, concert venues (such as the Broken Spoke and UT Tower), and has been updated over the years to include figures like Ann Richards, Lady Bird Johnson, Henry Gonzales, and Micael Priest.

What to know

"Austintatious" is widely recognized as Austin's first, oldest, and most significant public mural. The project began in 1973 and was completed in February 1974 by three University of Texas art students: Kerry Awn (the pseudonym of Fitzgerald), Rick Turner, and Tommy Bauman (also known as Tommy Bee). Inspired by California's social murals, these friends set out to create a vibrant piece dedicated to the city they loved. Rather than just a painted wall, the mural serves as a mirror reflecting Austin's unique 1973 cultural street scene and counterculture history. The massive, brightly colored street mural is centered around the city's namesake, Stephen F. Austin, who is humorously depicted holding armadillos in his arms. Surrounding this central figure is a rounded Austin skyline featuring famous local landmarks and concert venues, including the Texas State Capitol, the UT Tower, and the Broken Spoke. Over its 50-year history, the mural has been a living canvas. It has been repainted and updated four times to reflect the changing city. Later updates added new skyscrapers, tie-fighters, and prominent figures such as former Texas Governor Ann Richards, Lady Bird Johnson, Henry Gonzales, artist Micael Priest (who helped paint the mural), and Hawaiian Prince Jimmy Hughes. Despite facing vandalism over the decades, the original trio of artists has repeatedly returned to restore and repair their work, with notable restorations occurring in 1982, 2002, 2014, and most recently in 2022. In April 2023, the mural celebrated its 50th anniversary with a commemoration led by city council member Zohaib "Zo" Qadri. Today, it remains a beloved cornerstone of the local community, and its legacy has even been preserved online with a digital project featuring short documentaries.

Visitor tips

Look for the mural near the intersection of 23rd Street and Guadalupe, just off the University of Texas campus.
Take your time to spot the small, quirky details added during updates, including tie-fighters and famous figures like Ann Richards.
Combine your visit with a stop at the nearby Cactus Cafe or other campus-area attractions.

Nearby context

Located right near the University of Texas campus at 23rd Street and Guadalupe, the mural is situated in a bustling, historic student hub. This area has long been a center for Austin's creative and countercultural communities. Just a short walk away, you can find the legendary Cactus Cafe, making this corner of the city a perfect spot to soak in local music, art, and university life.

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