Blooming yellow sunflowers. Steam-powered locomotives. Colorful quilt patterns.

Several Kansas rural towns are perfecting the art of attracting visitors by launching mural movements to public spaces. The allure of finding each bold design and the appreciation of the visual arts draws people to town.

Not only does adding murals support artists and beautify towns, but they also encourage tourists to spend dollars locally when visiting area businesses. Recently, The Office of Rural Prosperity funded 77 murals in 38 Kansas communities, giving road-trippers another incentive to pull over.

Which one of these towns, known for extensive collections of street art, will you explore? 

A Mural Movement 
Clay Center

The initial goal of A Mural Movement of Clay Center was to draw Highway 15 traffic into town by adding a handful of murals to the town’s landscape. Today, the town’s public art scene boasts nearly 30 colorful murals, including its latest installation, “Prairie Thunder” by artist Christian Stanley. The vibrant depiction of stampeding bison transforms the Central Valley Ag grain bin at Fourth Street and Grant Avenue into colorful street art. An interactive online map makes it easy for mural hunters to locate each one. 

Referred to as a place where “Ag Meets Art,” Clay Center also installed 14 hand-painted concrete benches called “resting art.” Beautified benches are accessible via the Public Utility Park Trail at Court and A Street, with others placed around town.

A Mural Movement 
City of Clay Center
(785) 632-5454
City of Clay Center
A Mural Movement of Clay Center Facebook

An Open-Air Gallery
Salina

You don’t have to look far before spotting a mural in downtown Salina, a city that embraces artists. The town’s annual Boom! Street Art & Mural Festival hosts world-class artists who paint imaginative creations during the first weekend of October. The largest concentration of murals is located downtown in Artwork Alley behind The Stiefel Theatre.

The murals, primarily located downtown in Artwork Alley, extend to other city areas. “Mural at the Mill” by Australian artist Guido van Helten is a towering image of children at play on the H.D. Lee Flour Mill on North Santa Fe Avenue. Another silo mural pays tribute to Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, revelry and artistic expression by the Spanish artist duo PichiAvo. 

Sculpture Tour Salina, a self-guided walking tour, encourages passersby to vote for the annual People’s Choice Award. Maps are available to pick up at various downtown businesses.

Artwork Alley
Salina
(785) 309-5770
Salina Arts & Humanities Interactive Map
Salina Kanvas Project Facebook 

Downtown Walking Tour
Junction City

In Junction City, commercial buildings are canvases for artists from concept to creation. Its downtown corridor includes an alleyway with dozens of murals and hand-painted doors. Adjacent to Washington Street, it includes interactive murals enticing visitors to snap selfies with designs.

To celebrate its 164th birthday, Junction City added JC Statues that visually tell the story of Geary County’s rich history. The works of art often include symbols of the area’s natural resources and military references to the U.S. Army base at Fort Riley. To map art locations, stop by the Geary County Convention and Visitors Bureau office and pick up a travel guide with a map.

Main Street Murals 
Junction City 
(785) 209-3775
Junction City Main Street
Junction City Main Street Facebook

Other Kansas towns with an abundance of murals include Topeka’s NOTO Arts and Entertainment District, Wichita’s Douglas Avenue of Art, Wamego’s Yellow Brick Road, and downtown districts in Kansas City, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Abilene, Manhattan, Pittsburg, Leavenworth and Newton.

 

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