Whilst researching what do to in Nashville for my road trip in September 2019, one theme that kept recurring was murals in Nashville. Aside from being known for its live music scene, Nashville is surprisingly colourful with painted walls almost everywhere you look – from the playful What Lifts You wings mural to the iconic I Believe In Nashville mural there’s an Insta-worthy wall all over Music City.
There are so many murals in Nashville, some ever-changing and updating, that it is impossible to list them all but whether you’re just interested in the artwork or looking for a snap for your Instagram, here are six of the best murals in Nashville, Tennessee and where to find them:
1. I Believe In Nashville mural
The I Believe In Nashville mural is probably the most famous street art in Nashville. It was painted in 2012 by Adrien Saporiti and since then its popularity has led to a few more of them popping up around the city, but this one is the OG.
I Believe In Nashville mural location
2702 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204, United States
I Believe In Nashville mural artist
Adrien Saporiti for DCXV Industries
2. Draper James mural
Unintended to be so, the Draper James blue stripes out on the right hand side of the shop have ended up being one of the most popular walls to Instagram in Nashville. Its simple Draper-James-blue and white stripes are a must whether you’re shopping in store or not. Although, I do recommend a visit because a) Reece Witherspoon is life b) the clothing and accessories are darling and c) you are offered a complimentary glass of sweet tea, which on a hot day in Nashville, is a necessity.
One of the best parts about the location of the Draper James mural and the I Believe In Nashville mural is that they share the same address. They’re located directly opposite each other so you can check off two in one stop!
Draper James mural location
2608 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204, United States
3. Looking Pretty, Music City mural
This huge, colourful wall is Madewell’s, mural and sits on the side of the clothing store on 12 Avenue. The Looking Pretty, Music City Madwell mural is the most colourful one on this list of Nashville murals. What I particularly love about this wall art, aside from the pretty pastel tones, is that you can be creative with it. Due to its size it’s not an easy one to get the whole thing into one frame so instead pick sections of this mural and make it abstract.
Looking Pretty, Music City mural location
2709 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204, United States
Looking Pretty, Music City mural artist
Emily Eisenhart
4. Make Music Not War mural
Down a little alley between Epice and Green Pea Salon is the Make Music Not War mural. Though very simple in design, this Nashville mural’s statement is powerful and very in keeping with the vibe of Music City.
There is another mural opposite the Make Music Not War wall that features a collage of wild flowers, but it’s not as iconic as the six famous wall art pieces in this list.
Make Music Not War mural location
2902 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
Make Music Not War mural artist
Relax Max
5. Nashville Looks Good On You mural
Located on a small wall in the back of Frothy Monkey’s parking lot, next to a few scuzzy dumpsters, stands one of TheNash.TN’s four “Nashville look good on you” walls.
Nashville Looks Good On You other sign locations
2311 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
1911 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
700 S 14th St, Nashville, TN 37206
This one of 12th South is the best in terms of location to the others on this list if you’re planning on checking off all six of these in one day.
Nashville Looks Good On You mural 12th Avenue location
2509 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204, United States
Nashville Looks Good On You mural artist
TheNash.TN
6. “What Lifts You” angel wings mural
Kelsey Montague’s “What Lifts You” angel wings mural (not to be confused with her butterfly wings mural that Taylor Swift Commissioned for her single, ME!) is the only one on this list that isn’t on 12th South, sorry about that, I tried to make this list as easily navigable as possible but I just couldn’t leave out the famous Nashville wings mural!
The people of Nashville have a love-hate relationship with these wings, you’ll often hear things like “the stupid wings” or “ugh those wings” groaned in a long (deeply attractive might I add) southern accent, but they also bring people from all around the world to The Gulch, as Montague’s “What Lifts You” campaign is global, with wings in Ireland all the way to Australia. You’ll find people’s hang ups with the wings mural is the amount of day-drinking-squealing bachelorette and birthday girl gangs disturbing the peace to get their photos here, so totally understandable. If you are here to get your photo with the What Lifts You angel wings mural maybe keep the volume down so not to give them an even worse reputation. Everyone wins that way, we get to take our photos with Nashville’s angel wings in peace and locals don’t get disturbed too.
Read on for where to find Nashville’s angel wings mural.
What Lifts You angel wings mural location
302 11th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203, United States
What Lifts You angel wings mural artist
Kelsey Montague
Mural map of Nashville
One great thing I learnt about being in Nashville is that it’s super laid back so unlike places like New York or Paris where you have to be an early riser to stand any chance of getting a clear shot in popular locations, in Nashville you can rock up at pretty much any time to get your photo with any of these murals. The only one you might have to wait for are the What Lifts You wings but it won’t be a long wait. Plus murals are one of the easiest things to get a clear shot of because people take it in turns unlike say in front of Tower Bridge or the Eiffel Tower where it’s a free-for-all.
If you take any photos with or of any of the six murals in Nashville listed above after reading this blog post, tag me using @gabriellawisdom or use #postcardsfromhawaiiblog and I’ll share your photos on my Instagram Stories.
Do more on & for the planet, Gabriella
Pin this post
