Coloring the Town with Raasin in the Sun

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Have you ever stopped to look at a blank concrete wall and wondered what stories it could tell if it had a voice? In Austin, a local multicultural arts nonprofit called Raasin in the Sun is giving those quiet walls a loud, colorful microphone. Founded by Raasin McIntosh in 2015, this organization has been on a mission to transform Austin’s East Side through art, environmental restoration, and deep community engagement.

But they aren't working alone. By collaborating with the Downtown Austin Alliance—which champions cultural placemaking through programs like their DASA Artist Residency and the Writing on the Walls public-art initiative—they are turning massive urban structures into vibrant, diverse canvases. These large-scale installations do more than just beautify the concrete; they cultivate a welcoming, safe, and vibrant downtown that celebrates public spaces and diverse voices.

So, as you walk today, keep your eyes open for the brilliant splashes of color decorating the city. You aren't just looking at paint; you are looking at the living, breathing stories of Austin itself.

Updated June 2026