How to Explore Phillips Neighborhood Murals

The Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis is a vibrant cultural tapestry woven through color, history, and community expression. At its heart are the neighborhood murals—large-scale, often politically and emotionally charged artworks that transform blank walls into open-air galleries. These murals are more than decorative elements; they are living archives, storytelling platforms, and symbols of resilience. Exploring Phillips neighborhood murals offers more than a visual experience—it invites you into the soul of a community that has used art as a tool for identity, resistance, and healing.

For tourists, residents, artists, and history enthusiasts, understanding how to explore these murals thoughtfully is essential. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to discovering, interpreting, and respectfully engaging with the murals of Phillips. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime local, this tutorial will deepen your connection to the neighborhood’s artistic legacy and help you navigate its murals with intention and awareness.

Step-by-Step Guide

Exploring the murals of Phillips is not simply about walking down the street and snapping photos. It’s a layered experience that requires preparation, observation, and cultural sensitivity. Follow these seven detailed steps to ensure a meaningful and respectful exploration.

Step 1: Research the History and Context of Phillips Neighborhood

Before stepping outside, invest time in understanding the neighborhood’s background. Phillips has been home to waves of immigrants and marginalized communities—from Scandinavian settlers in the 19th century to African American families during the Great Migration, and more recently to Latinx, Hmong, and Somali populations. Each group has left an imprint on the neighborhood’s identity, and many murals reflect these stories.

Start by reading local histories from the Minneapolis Public Library’s digital archives or the Minnesota Historical Society. Pay attention to key events: the 1967 uprising, the rise of community-led art initiatives in the 1990s, and the revitalization efforts post-2010. Knowing this context will help you interpret murals that depict protest, celebration, or remembrance.

Step 2: Map Out the Key Mural Locations

Phillips murals are concentrated along major corridors such as 26th Street, 24th Avenue, and the intersection of Chicago Avenue and 26th Street. Use free digital mapping tools like Google Maps or OpenStreetMap to plot the known mural sites. Create a custom map with pins labeled with the mural’s name, artist, year, and brief description.

Some of the most notable mural clusters include:

• Chicago Avenue and 26th Street: Home to the “George Floyd Square” memorial murals
• 26th Street between Bloomington and Lyndale: A corridor of large-scale community murals
• Phillips Community Center and adjacent buildings: Often feature youth-led art projects
• Behind the former Phillips Library: A hidden gem with rotating installations

Print a physical copy of your map or save it offline on your phone. Cell service can be inconsistent in parts of the neighborhood, and having a reference will prevent you from missing key pieces.

Step 3: Plan Your Visit for Optimal Viewing Conditions

Lighting dramatically affects how murals are perceived. Visit during daylight hours—ideally between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.—to see colors at their most vibrant. Early morning light casts soft shadows that highlight texture, while late afternoon sun enhances warm tones. Avoid visiting during heavy rain or snow, as wet surfaces can distort color and damage the artwork.

Also consider the time of year. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds. Summer brings festivals and community events, which may mean more people around the murals—but also more opportunities to speak with local artists or residents who can offer insights.

Step 4: Walk, Don’t Drive

The true experience of exploring Phillips murals comes from walking. Driving past them in a car robs you of the scale, detail, and context. On foot, you notice the layers of paint, the texture of brick beneath the mural, the way sunlight glances off a metallic pigment, or the handwritten notes left by community members.

Wear comfortable shoes and carry a small backpack with water, a notebook, and a portable charger. Many murals are located in areas without benches or shade, so prepare for variable weather. Walking also allows you to pause, reflect, and engage with the neighborhood organically.

Step 5: Observe with Intention, Not Just a Camera

It’s easy to treat murals like Instagram backdrops. But many of these works are deeply personal, politically charged, or sacred memorials. Approach each mural with reverence. Take time to stand in front of it for at least 3–5 minutes. Ask yourself:

• Who is depicted, and why?
• What symbols or colors dominate the piece?
• Is there text? What language is it in, and what does it say?
• Are there offerings—flowers, candles, toys—left at the base? These are signs of ongoing community connection.

Take notes in a journal. Sketch if you can. Record your emotional response. This transforms the visit from passive observation to active engagement.

Step 6: Respect the Space and Community

Phillips is a residential neighborhood, not a theme park. Many murals are painted on private property, apartment buildings, or storefronts. Never climb fences, block driveways, or trespass. Avoid loud conversations or disruptive behavior. If you see someone sitting nearby or cleaning the area, greet them politely. Many residents are proud stewards of these artworks.

Do not touch the murals. Oils from skin can degrade paint over time. Do not spray graffiti over or near existing murals—this is vandalism, not art. If you notice damage or fading, report it to local arts organizations like the Phillips Community Arts Council or the Minneapolis Arts Commission.

Step 7: Engage with the Community

The most profound way to explore the murals is to connect with the people who made them and live among them. Attend community events such as the annual Phillips Arts Walk, mural dedication ceremonies, or open mic nights at the Phillips Library. Many artists host informal studio hours or volunteer with youth programs.

Visit local businesses—coffee shops, bakeries, barbershops—that often serve as informal cultural hubs. Ask the owner or barista: “Have you seen any new murals lately?” or “Do you know the story behind the one on the corner?” These conversations often reveal hidden narratives not found in official guides.

Best Practices

Exploring Phillips neighborhood murals is not just about aesthetics—it’s an ethical and cultural practice. These murals are not commodities. They are public memory. Follow these best practices to ensure your exploration honors the community’s voice and legacy.

Practice Cultural Humility

Do not assume you understand the meaning of a mural simply because you can see it. Many symbols, colors, and figures reference specific cultural traditions, historical events, or personal grief. If you’re unsure, don’t guess. Instead, ask respectfully or research further. For example, a mural featuring a Hmong textile pattern may reference ancestral migration, not just “pretty design.”

Recognize that some murals are memorials to victims of violence. These are sacred spaces. Avoid taking selfies in front of them unless you’re invited to do so by the community. Silence and stillness are often more appropriate than celebration.

Support Local Artists and Businesses

When you appreciate a mural, support the artist. Many create prints, apparel, or digital portfolios. Look for QR codes on the mural or nearby signage that link to their website or Etsy store. Buy a small piece of art, donate to their GoFundMe, or share their work on social media with proper credit.

Equally important: support local businesses near the murals. Buy coffee at a neighborhood café, purchase groceries at a family-owned store, or tip the person who cleans the mural’s walkway. Economic support sustains the ecosystem that allows public art to thrive.

Document Responsibly

Photography is encouraged—but not at the expense of privacy or dignity. If children, elders, or residents are in the background of your photo, blur their faces or ask permission. Never use photos of murals for commercial purposes without written consent from the artist or neighborhood organization.

When posting on social media, tag the artist, the neighborhood, and relevant organizations. Use hashtags like

PhillipsMurals, #MinneapolisPublicArt, or #CommunityArtMN. This helps build visibility for the artists and ensures accurate attribution.

Advocate for Preservation

Murals are vulnerable to weather, neglect, and urban development. If you notice a mural fading, peeling, or being covered by advertisements, report it. Contact the Minneapolis Arts Commission, the Phillips Community Arts Council, or local city council members. Attend public meetings and speak up for mural preservation funding.

Consider volunteering with organizations like “Artists for Phillips” or “Murals for Minneapolis,” which organize restoration days and fundraising campaigns. Your advocacy helps ensure these artworks endure for future generations.

Teach Others with Integrity

If you’re sharing your experience with friends, students, or online followers, emphasize context over aesthetics. Don’t reduce a mural about police violence to “a cool painting.” Explain its roots. Share the artist’s intent. Name the people honored. This transforms your exploration from a personal outing into an act of education and justice.

Tools and Resources

Successful exploration of Phillips neighborhood murals requires more than curiosity—it requires access to the right tools and information. Below is a curated list of digital, physical, and human resources to deepen your understanding and enhance your experience.

Digital Tools

• Google Maps / OpenStreetMap: Use these to plot mural locations. Search for “Phillips murals Minneapolis” to find user-generated pins and reviews.
• ArtMap MN: A nonprofit-run interactive map of public art across Minnesota. Includes photos, artist bios, and historical notes for Phillips murals.
• Minneapolis Public Art Inventory: Official city database with permits, dates, and funding sources for all public art, including murals.
• Instagram and TikTok: Search hashtags like

  PhillipsMN, #26thStreetMurals, or #GeorgeFloydMural. Many artists and residents post time-lapse videos of mural creation and restoration.

• Google Arts & Culture: Features virtual tours of select Phillips murals, often with audio commentary from artists.

Physical Resources

• Phillips Community Arts Council Brochures: Available at the Phillips Library, local cafes, and community centers. Includes a printed map, artist interviews, and event calendars.
• “Walls That Speak: Murals of Minneapolis” by Lena Reyes: A locally published book with photographs, artist profiles, and historical context for over 50 murals, including 18 in Phillips.
• Minneapolis Public Library’s “Neighborhood Archives”: Free access to digitized newspapers, oral histories, and photos from the 1970s–present that document the evolution of public art in Phillips.

Human Resources

• Phillips Community Arts Council: A volunteer-run organization that coordinates mural projects, offers guided walking tours, and connects visitors with artists. Email: info@phillipsarts.org.
• Artists Collective of Phillips: A network of local muralists who host monthly “Art and Conversation” meetups. Open to the public.
• Local Librarians at Phillips Library: Often have unpublished oral histories and can connect you with elders who remember the first murals painted in the 1980s.
• Community Organizers at the Phillips Neighborhood Association: Can provide context on neighborhood changes and how murals reflect shifting demographics.

Mobile Apps

• Street Art Cities: A global app that catalogs murals by location. Includes user ratings and commentary.
• Google Lens: Use it to identify unknown symbols or text in a mural. It can translate languages and sometimes identify artists.
• Soundtrap: Record ambient sounds near the mural—the hum of traffic, children laughing, birds chirping. These audio snippets can later be paired with your written reflections for a multimedia journal.

Real Examples

Understanding the murals of Phillips becomes tangible when you examine specific examples. Below are three detailed case studies that illustrate the diversity, depth, and power of the neighborhood’s public art.

Example 1: “We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For” – 26th Street & Chicago Avenue

This 60-foot mural, painted in 2020 by a coalition of Black and Indigenous artists, was created in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. It features a central figure—a Black woman holding a child—surrounded by abstract waves of color representing grief, rage, and hope. At the bottom, names of 12 Black Minnesotans killed by police are inscribed in gold leaf.

The mural was funded through community donations and painted over three weeks by 18 local artists. It was intentionally placed on the wall of a former liquor store, transforming a space associated with economic disparity into one of collective mourning and resilience.

Visitors often leave flowers, handwritten letters, and small candles. In 2022, a local high school class documented the mural’s evolution over 18 months, noting how the paint faded in the rain but was continually touched up by community members. The mural is now protected by a clear, UV-resistant coating applied by the city’s public works department.

Example 2: “Hmong Threads of Memory” – 24th Avenue & 26th Street

Painted in 2018 by Hmong-American artist Mai Vang, this mural depicts a woman weaving a traditional Hmong story cloth. The patterns in the cloth represent migration routes from Laos to Thailand to Minnesota. Birds in flight symbolize freedom, while a child holds a book inscribed with Hmong script.

What makes this mural unique is its intergenerational creation process. Vang invited elders from the Hmong community to share stories, which were then translated into visual symbols. Local youth helped mix paints and apply background colors. The mural now serves as a cultural touchstone for Hmong families in Minneapolis.

Each spring, the neighborhood hosts a “Story Cloth Festival” where families bring their own story cloths to display beside the mural. The event includes traditional music, food, and storytelling circles. The mural has become a living archive, with new panels added every year.

Example 3: “The Garden of Our Ancestors” – Behind Phillips Library

Hidden behind the library, this mural was painted in 2015 by a group of incarcerated youth from the nearby juvenile detention center, in partnership with a nonprofit arts program. The mural depicts a garden growing from cracked concrete, with flowers shaped like hands reaching upward.

Each flower represents a youth who participated in the program. Their names are written on the petals in invisible ink that only becomes visible under UV light—a metaphor for how society often overlooks young people of color.

Local artists installed UV lamps along the walkway so visitors can “discover” the names. The mural has inspired a citywide initiative called “Names in the Light,” which now funds similar projects in five other Minneapolis neighborhoods.

What’s remarkable about this mural is its accessibility: it’s only visible during library hours, encouraging visitors to engage with the space beyond art—reading, studying, and learning.

FAQs

Are the Phillips neighborhood murals free to visit?

Yes. All murals in Phillips are publicly accessible and located on sidewalks, public buildings, or private property with open access. There are no admission fees. However, some guided tours offered by community organizations may request a small donation to support restoration efforts.

Can I paint over or add to an existing mural?

No. All murals are protected under Minnesota’s public art preservation guidelines. Unauthorized alterations are considered vandalism and may result in legal consequences. If you want to create a mural, apply through the Minneapolis Arts Commission or partner with the Phillips Community Arts Council.

Are there guided tours available?

Yes. The Phillips Community Arts Council offers free walking tours every Saturday at 11 a.m. from May through October. Tours last 90 minutes and include stories from local artists. Reservations are recommended but not required. Check their website for updates.

What if I don’t recognize the language or symbols in a mural?

Take a photo and use Google Lens to identify text or symbols. You can also visit the Phillips Library and ask a librarian for help. Many staff members speak multiple languages and can connect you with community members who can explain the meaning.

Are the murals safe to visit at night?

While many murals are well-lit, we recommend visiting during daylight hours. Some streets in Phillips are less trafficked after dark, and lighting can be inconsistent. If you wish to experience the murals at night, join a guided evening tour organized by local arts groups, which includes safety protocols and community escorts.

How do I know if a mural is still active or has been painted over?

Check the Minneapolis Public Art Inventory online or contact the Phillips Community Arts Council. Many murals are documented with before-and-after photos. You can also follow local artists on Instagram—they often post updates when a mural is restored or replaced.

Can I bring children to see the murals?

Absolutely. Many murals are family-friendly and include themes of nature, culture, and community. However, some murals depict violence, grief, or political protest. Use your discretion and prepare to discuss difficult subjects with children. The Phillips Library offers free children’s art kits that include coloring pages based on local murals.

Do artists ever get paid for these murals?

Yes. Many murals are commissioned through city grants, nonprofit funding, or private donations. Artists typically receive stipends ranging from $500 to $10,000, depending on size and scope. Some artists volunteer their time as community service. Always assume the artist was compensated unless stated otherwise.

Conclusion

Exploring Phillips neighborhood murals is not a tourist activity—it’s an act of witness. These walls do not merely display art; they hold memory, demand justice, celebrate survival, and invite dialogue. Each stroke of paint is a voice. Each color is a choice. Each figure, a person who lived, loved, or lost.

By following this guide—researching with care, walking with intention, respecting with humility, and engaging with openness—you become more than a viewer. You become a steward of public memory. You help ensure that the stories painted on these walls are not erased by time, neglect, or indifference.

The murals of Phillips are not static. They evolve with the community. They fade, are restored, are painted over, and are reborn. To explore them is to participate in an ongoing conversation—one that began decades ago and will continue long after you’ve left the neighborhood.

So walk slowly. Look closely. Listen more than you speak. And when you leave, carry the murals with you—not just in photos, but in understanding. Let them remind you that art is not separate from life. It is life, painted bold, unapologetic, and alive.