The Power of the Mural Movement

Murals Take Fort Wayne by Storm

Art makes life more interesting, and there are more than 100 large public works of art scattered across the city of Fort Wayne! Whether you are a Fort Wayne native or visitor, chances are you have spotted some of these works during your time downtown or in up-and-coming areas.

In 2014, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art and the owner of Pint & Slice collaborated to commission an outdoor wall mural with Philadelphia-based artist, Noségo. This piece showcases vibrant colors, rhythmic patterns, and a creature born straight out of the artist’s imagination. This playful mural was Fort Wayne’s first piece of commissioned street art and catapulted Fort Wayne’s mural movement!

Shortly after its completion, other murals began popping up around Fort Wayne. Another mural on the side of a building in the Wells Corridor outside of downtown Fort Wayne depicts two foxes and a coyote, and another on The Landing displays some beautiful pink peonies. You can see a variety of subjects and styles as you stroll the street through town.

With the surge of murals breathing new life into buildings and alleyways, Fort Wayne discovered a new, colorful way to bring the community together, make our neighborhoods feel safer, and our streets more walkable.

Community Building 

Public mural artwork helps people connect with each other, creating strong bonds within and between communities. Businesses, artists, residents, nonprofit organizations, city officials, and many more collaborate to make these murals a reality. The entire process creates lasting impressions and relationships long after the paint has dried.

Looking at murals as “community fingerprints” can give the passerby an instant snapshot of the neighborhood’s traditions, history, and sense of worth. Public murals bring community members together and give them something tangible to be proud of.

Murals can be thought of as a massive outdoor public museum. So, similar to art you find in a museum or gallery, public murals have a message or a story that viewers can discover for themselves. People begin to develop favorites that they want to advocate for and encourage others to visit.

Even if two people like two different pieces of art, they can still connect with each other through their mutual love and appreciation of the medium and content. There are so many opportunities for these kinds of connections in both downtown and up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Fort Wayne has a strong community following and a high level of support for the mural projects happening around town. Festivals and organizations, like Taste of the Arts, Fort Wayne Open Wall, and Art This Way, work to integrate art into daily life through bold initiatives, interactive education, and innovative ideas.

Although murals are mainly visual, several across Fort Wayne are equipped with signage to help promote inclusivity so everyone has a way to experience and enjoy the art. Signage includes information hung at an accessible height, as well as a QR code that provides an audio recording of the artist describing their work. There are even some murals that include 3D-printed, tactile models of the artwork which allows everyone an additional way to experience art.

Added Safety

When you think of murals, you most likely think of it from an artistic standpoint and think of the aesthetic it adds to a building or neighborhood.

However, murals can also be beneficial in lowering vandalism and crime rates in an area due to the “broken window” theory. The broken window theory states that visible signs of disorder in any location will in turn create more disorder and crime, like a domino effect. So, cleaning up a space and adding some nice artwork or sculptures in a public location will lower the vandalism and crime rate, as well as lower the chances of future crimes in the area.

Public art on a building that is for sale will also increase its chances of getting sold quicker. While its exterior looks are maintained, the property is respected by the public during its time on sale. Most people value and appreciate art so it is unlikely that a mural will be vandalized.

Increased Foot Traffic

Murals not only build community support and make a building look more visually appealing and safe, but they can also increase foot traffic in the area. Adding a mural will increase your chances of people looking at your business or building. Stop by 1434 Wells Street, now home to Honey Plant, or 840 S Calhoun Street, where you can find The Porch Off Calhoun at Pint & Slice, to see the appeal (and these great local businesses) for yourself.

When it comes to the mural movement of downtown Fort Wane, there is a huge following from people in the community. So much so, there are apps, maps, and social media accounts solely dedicated to these projects and areas of town.

Visit Fort Wayne’s website has a map you can download that details all of the must-see art in the city. Follow the Public Art Trail and find more than 100 murals, public art installations, and sculptures in not only downtown Fort Wayne but throughout Allen County.

You can even get a free mobile Public Art Trail Pass to explore on-the-go. Learn about the artists while checking in at each location to earn points and prizes. Be sure to tag your photos on social media with #PublicArtFW, too.

Looking to add a mural to your building? Be sure to do all the necessary research before hiring a muralist. If you do not own your building, contact your property manager to help assist in the process. If you are in the Allen County, IN area, you can also reach out to AH Public Space Consulting, Art This Way, or the City of Fort Wayne Public Art Commission to inquire. Be advised, there may be additional permits, requirements, permissions, and/or documentation needed before you begin painting!