How Waco Became a City of Murals

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It all started with neighbors painting their own town's name on a wall. Some of Waco’s first murals grew from a grassroots civic initiative designed to spark a bit of hometown spirit. You'll find these early markers at spots like Patrick’s Drycleaners, Fabled, and Dichotomy, where the city's name and the word 'Wacotown' were painted in bold letters.

What began as a simple way to say 'we love our city' has blossomed into a full-blown open-air gallery. Today, Creative Waco manages an interactive public art map that highlights more than 60 murals across town, along with sculptures and fountains. Now, as you walk these streets, you aren't just moving through a downtown district—you're moving through a living, breathing canvas of the city's own identity.

Updated June 2026