Photo Set

Minneapolis Murals

Murals, graffiti, and boarded artwork across Minneapolis neighborhoods, from Lake Street to the North Loop

Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis has accumulated one of the densest concentrations of public murals of any American city its size, spread across neighborhoods from the North Loop warehouse district to the Lake Street corridor, the Midtown Greenway, and the blocks surrounding George Floyd Square at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.

The murals documented here reflect several distinct threads running through the city's recent history. The longest-running is civic pride expressed through portraits of Minneapolis-born artists: Prince appears repeatedly, from the Rock Martinez memorial at West 26th Street and Hennepin Avenue, painted shortly after his death in 2016, to works at First Avenue, on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis, and in the North Loop. Eduardo Kobra's Bob Dylan portrait on Hennepin Avenue downtown, completed in 2015, belongs to the same tradition of honoring the city's musical legacy in paint.

A second and more urgent wave followed the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Murals appeared across the city within days, many of them on boarded storefronts along Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue after civil unrest left stretches of both corridors damaged. The boards themselves became a medium, and the organization Memorialize The Movement later preserved them as artifacts, periodically exhibiting them at Phelps Park. George Floyd Square has continued to accumulate memorials and murals, and the site remains active as a community gathering place.

By the mid-2020s, the Midtown Greenway had developed its own mural corridor running the length of the trail's retaining walls and bridge abutments, with works ranging from tenant-rights advocacy by Cori Nakamura Lin and Tori Hong to cycling figures by Cadex and Ethan Herrera. Neighborhood institutions have also been marked before and after closure: the 4th St Saloon on West Broadway, which shut after 37 years, carried a mural celebrating North Minneapolis's jazz and blues heritage to its final day, while Palmer's Bar in Cedar-Riverside drew crowds to its closing nights in 2025.

Mural painting at Geroge Floyd Square — *May 25, 2021* — A mural being painted at George Floyd Square in May 2021.

Protesters walk past Bob Dylan mural by Kobra in Minneapolis — *May 23, 2021* — Protesters march through downtown Minneapolis, passing by Eduardo Kobra's "Bob Dylan" mural. This march occurred following a George Floyd Remembrance rally at the Hennepin County Courthouse.

Daunte Wright mural on West Lake Street — *May 20, 2021* — A mural honoring Daunte Wright adorns the exterior of Minnesota Food Grocery on West Lake Street in Minneapolis. The mural appeared following the killing of Daunte Wright by police in nearby Brooklyn Center in April 2021, an event that sparked protests and unrest in the Twin Cities.

Jesse Jackson speaks at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis before a crowd and mural. — *April 20, 2021* — Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson addresses a crowd at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. The square, located at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and 38th Street, became a focal point for protests following the May 25, 2020, killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. The area has since been transformed into a memorial and a site for ongoing activism and community gatherings.

George Floyd mural at Cup Foods in Minneapolis — *March 27, 2021* — The George Floyd Memorial mural, located at Cup Foods on the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis, was created in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in May 2020. The mural serves as a focal point for remembrance and protest, situated at the epicenter of the "George Floyd Square" autonomous zone established by activists. This site became a significant gathering place for demonstrations and a symbol of the broader Black Lives Matter movement.

George Floyd mural in Minneapolis March 2021 — *March 23, 2021* — This mural, located at George Floyd Square in South Minneapolis, commemorates George Floyd. The square became a focal point for protests and activism following Floyd's murder in May 2020. The artwork serves as a memorial and a symbol of the ongoing movement for racial justice and police reform.

George Floyd mural on Chicago Ave March 2021 — *March 23, 2021* — A mural honoring George Floyd is displayed on the exterior of Cup Foods in South Minneapolis, the site where Floyd was killed in May 2020. The mural, painted on the 38th Street side of the store, features Floyd's portrait and the names of other Black individuals who have died due to police brutality. The area around the mural has become a memorial, with flowers, signs, and other tributes placed on the sidewalk. This location, often referred to as George Floyd Square, became a focal point for protests and activism following Floyd's death.

Ice and snow at George Floyd Square — *February 15, 2021* — A large mural of George Floyd's face is displayed at George Floyd Square in South Minneapolis during the winter of 2021. The square, located at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and 38th Street, became a focal point for protests and activism following Floyd's murder by police in May 2020. The area has since been transformed into a memorial and community space, marked by various artworks, signs, and tributes, including this mural. On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered 46-year-old George Floyd during an arrest outside Cup Foods at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis. Video recorded by bystanders showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes while Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Three other Minneapolis police officers - J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao — were also present during the arrest and later faced criminal charges for their roles in Floyd’s death. Floyd’s murder sparked protests and civil unrest across Minneapolis and around the world, leading to widespread demonstrations against police violence, major policy debates on policing, and the conviction of Chauvin on murder and manslaughter charges in 2021.

Cars drive through George Floyd Square in January 2021 — *January 18, 2021* — George Floyd Square, located at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, became a focal point for protests following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The site, including the Cup Foods store where Floyd was apprehended, was transformed into a memorial and autonomous zone. This image shows the memorial on Martin Luther King Day, featuring a metal fist sculpture that replaced earlier iterations, symbolizing community strength and resilience. The memorial continues to serve as a space for remembrance and activism.

Peoples Way after a fresh snow fall — *December 29, 2020* — The People's Way, a former Speedway gas station at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, is seen covered in snow. This site, located at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, transformed into a protest zone following the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. The area now functions as a community gathering space and memorial, featuring murals, graffiti, and various installations that reflect ongoing calls for justice and social change.

Everyone interconnected together mural on storefront — *December 29, 2020* — A mural adorns protective boards on an H&M retail store located on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. This artwork emerged during the Minneapolis Uprising following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, when many businesses boarded their windows for protection. The mural, featuring a figure in a canoe and a lotus flower, carries messages such as "When we know justice say their names" and "everyone interconnected together," reflecting themes of community and calls for justice.

Police in front of George Floyd mural — *December 27, 2020* — Minneapolis Police officers investigate a shooting at George Floyd Square in South Minneapolis on December 27, 2020. This site, located at the intersection of E 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, transformed into a significant memorial and protest space following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.

Hennepin Ave protest boards in December 2020 — *December 27, 2020* — Protest murals adorn boarded-up storefronts along Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. These artworks emerged in the aftermath of the Minneapolis Uprising in May 2020, which followed the murder of George Floyd.

Fix Lyndale on a door on Lyndale Ave — *December 26, 2020* — A Black Lives Matter mural by Reggie LeFlore adorns boarded-up storefronts at the corner of Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis. This artwork emerged in the aftermath of the 2020 Minneapolis Uprising, transforming damaged properties into public expressions of protest and solidarity. Adjacent to the mural, the #FixLyndale message advocates for the long-standing community effort to reconfigure Lyndale Avenue, a corridor known for high rates of vehicle and pedestrian accidents.

George Floyd Square memorial at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis with chalk art and flower tributes. — *November 25, 2020* — George Floyd Square sits at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, outside Cup Foods, where George Floyd died on May 25, 2020. The words "I can't breathe" — spoken by Floyd during his arrest and later echoed by Eric Garner in 2014 — are painted directly on the street alongside a large mural of angel wings. Flowers, handwritten signs, and personal offerings surround the artwork, left and maintained by visitors and neighborhood volunteers. For more than a year after Floyd's death, the intersection remained closed to through traffic and was informally managed by community members as a memorial and gathering space.

Boarded storefront at 2741 Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis with "Justice 4 George Floyd" painted on plywood, May 2020. — *November 25, 2020* — Plywood covering the storefront at 2741 Hennepin Avenue reads "Justice 4 George Floyd," painted with a red heart on either side of the word "4." The building sits in Uptown Minneapolis, a commercial stretch of Hennepin Avenue lined with retail shops and restaurants. Following George Floyd's death in police custody in May 2020, many Minneapolis businesses boarded their windows against anticipated damage, and those plywood panels became surfaces for murals, memorials, and protest messages across the city.

Boarded storefront at Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis with George Floyd portrait mural and "Black Lives — *November 25, 2020* — Fifth Element is a hip-hop and skateboard shop on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, known for its role in the city's skate and street culture . After the store's windows were boarded up during the unrest following George Floyd's death in police custody in May 2020, local artists painted the plywood with a portrait of Floyd alongside the phrases "Black Lives Matter" and "Black Is Beautiful." The mural was one of hundreds that appeared on boarded storefronts throughout Minneapolis that year, part of a broader effort by artists to turn plywood barricades into public memorials and protest art.

Former K-Mart building on Lake Street in Minneapolis converted to a United States Post Office with community murals. — *November 18, 2020* — This post office on Lake Street occupies a building that once housed a K-Mart store. The U.S. Postal Service moved operations here after its Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue branches were damaged during the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing in May 2020. Murals cover much of the building's exterior, added by local artists in the months after the damage.

Colorful murals reading "LET THE HEALING" adorn the facade of a temporary post office housed in a former K-Mart on Lake Street in — *November 16, 2020* — This building on Lake Street once housed a K-Mart before becoming the Lake-Street Minnehaha Temporary Station, a USPS facility set up after the neighborhood's original postal buildings were damaged during the unrest that followed George Floyd's death in May 2020. The station has continued to handle mail and package service for the surrounding Minneapolis community. Painted across the storefront, a mural reading "LET THE HEALING" was added afterward as part of a wave of public art that appeared on boarded and repurposed buildings along the corridor.

Black Lives Matter mural on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis displays "All Year Round" message during snowfall. — *November 10, 2020* — The mural reads "Black Lives Matter All Year Round," painted across plywood boards on a building along Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis's Uptown neighborhood. The piece is one of many murals painted on boarded storefronts across Minneapolis following the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing in May 2020, when businesses across the city covered their windows and local artists turned the boards into canvases. Many of these murals remained in place for months afterward, becoming a lasting public record of that period even as boards came down elsewhere.

Boarded storefront on Lake Street in Minneapolis displays "George Floyd" text during snowfall. — *November 10, 2020* — Plywood covering a storefront on Lake Street carries the hand-painted name "George Floyd," one of many boarded windows along the corridor turned into memorials after his killing in police custody in May 2020. Businesses along Lake Street boarded their windows that spring after nights of fires and looting during the unrest that followed Floyd's death. Rather than being removed once the immediate unrest subsided, many of these boards remained in place for months, repainted by artists and volunteers with murals, names, and messages tied to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Uptown Smoke Shop storefront on Lake Street with boarded windows displaying colorful "Help + Love each other" graffiti mural. — *November 9, 2020* — The mural reading "Help + Love Each Other" covers boarded-up windows at Uptown Smoke Shop, an e-cigarette retailer at 1408 Lake Street in Minneapolis's Uptown neighborhood. Plywood went up over storefronts along Lake Street after the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing in May 2020, and many of those boards became canvases for community-painted messages rather than being removed once repairs were made.

Artist paints Black Lives Matter mural on boarded storefront along Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. — *November 8, 2020* — The mural reading "Black Lives Matter, All Year Round" covers boarded-up storefronts on Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. Plywood panels like these went up over windows and doors across the city after unrest broke out in the wake of George Floyd's killing in May 2020, and many were later painted by local artists rather than removed. Months after the initial unrest, murals such as this one remained in place, turning storm boards into lasting public artwork.

Coliseum Building on Lake Street in Minneapolis with boarded storefronts decorated with community murals. — *November 7, 2020* — The Coliseum Building stands on Lake Street in Minneapolis, its ground-floor storefronts boarded with plywood after damage during the 2020 civil unrest. Built in 1917, the building originally housed a theater along with retail and commercial tenants serving the Longfellow neighborhood. Community members later painted the plywood panels with murals and messages, turning the boards into a temporary public canvas.

Crowd of protesters with signs and flags marches past colorful mural on Lake Street in Minneapolis. — *November 7, 2020* — The mural above the marchers depicts a farmworker and desert plants, one of many large-scale works commissioned along Lake Street after the corridor sustained heavy damage following George Floyd's killing in May 2020. Lake Street is a major east-west commercial corridor through South Minneapolis and has long served as a hub for the city's Latino and immigrant-owned businesses. The march passing beneath it took place on November 7, 2020, the day media outlets projected Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential race. Demonstrators carried signs addressing policing and housing as they moved along the street.

"Abolish The Police" mural on boarded windows of Hook and Ladder Theater on Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis with pedestrians — *November 7, 2020* — The Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge sits on Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis's Longfellow neighborhood, a live-music venue that had its plywood window coverings turned into protest art after the killing of George Floyd in 2020. The "Abolish the Police" mural, along with the "Justice" and "Love" lettering beside it, remained on the boards well after the unrest that summer, turning the building into an ongoing outdoor gallery. People gathered outside the venue in November 2020, in the days following the announcement of the presidential election results, as debates over policing and public safety continued in the city.

Graffiti art covers protective boards on the John Fluevog store at Hennepin and Lagoon Avenues in Uptown Minneapolis. — *November 3, 2020* — The plywood covering John Fluevog's storefront on Hennepin Avenue became a canvas for hand-lettered messages and drawings, including references to James Baldwin, Grace Jones, and the phrase "Love Is Not Dead." The shoe retailer, known for its avant-garde designs since founding in Vancouver in 1970, operates a location here in Uptown Minneapolis near the corner of Lagoon Avenue. Business owners across the city boarded up storefronts for protection following the unrest that spread after George Floyd's killing in May 2020, and many of those boards were later turned into sites for murals and text-based artwork by local artists.

Murals on boards of the former k-mart — *October 10, 2020* — Murals adorn the boarded-up exterior of the former K-Mart building on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis.

Defaced George Floyd mural — *October 5, 2020* — The George Floyd mural is prominently displayed on the exterior wall of Cup Foods, located on East 38th Street within George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. This site holds profound historical significance as the location where George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020, an event that catalyzed global protests against racial injustice and police brutality.

*October 5, 2020* — The State Theatre, a historic performing arts venue on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, features a marquee displaying a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. The message, "The time is always right to do what is right".

Panda ACAB Evict The Cops — *October 3, 2020* — A building wall in South Minneapolis displays both a community mural and protest graffiti. The mural, featuring a panda holding a "HOPE" balloon and Chinese characters for "hope", is painted on a brick section. Adjacent to it, graffiti on a painted concrete block wall reads "ACAB" and "EVICT THE COPS".

A mural on the side of the former Kmart — *October 1, 2020* — A mural featuring a Native American chief and the quote "Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children" is displayed on the side of a former K-Mart building on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis.

Boarded storefronts on Lake Street in Minneapolis display spray-painted messages "Do Not Burn" and "People Live Here" at night. — *September 30, 2020* — Boarded storefronts on Lake Street in Minneapolis are marked with spray-painted messages reading “Do Not Burn” and “People Live Here” in this nighttime view from September 2020. The plywood covers retail windows and doors along a commercial corridor that was heavily damaged after protests following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020.

Lynlake Brewery storefront and neighboring businesses on Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis at night with illuminated trees and — *September 30, 2020* — LynLake Brewery and neighboring storefronts on Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis are pictured at night in September 2020.

Boarded storefront on Lake Street in Minneapolis displays murals including "Love Your Enemy" and "Justice for Floyd" messaging. — *September 30, 2020* — Murals and graffiti cover the exterior wall of the former K-Mart building on Lake Street in South Minneapolis. The painted boards include the large phrase “LOVE YOUR ENEMY,” an “MPLS” mural with the words “JUSTICE FOR FLOYD NOW,” and other artist panels installed across the boarded facade.

Former Kmart building on Lake Street in Minneapolis surrounded by chain-link fence displaying colorful murals and graffiti — *September 15, 2020* — The former Kmart building on Lake Street in Minneapolis is covered with murals and graffiti-style artwork. A chain-link fence now surrounds the property.

Mapping Prejudice Happiest Place on Earth Mural — *August 24, 2020* — Wheat paste art featuring George Floyd and a poster from Mapping Prejudice is displayed on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. The colorful poster, designed by Mapping Prejudice, subverts the phrase "Minneapolis The Happiest Place on Earth" with a character resembling Snow White stating "Let's Seek Justice for George!", drawing attention to the city's history of racial covenants. These public art installations emerged during the Minneapolis Uprising, serving as a visual protest against racial injustice and a call for accountability following George Floyd's murder.

We love lake street graffiti on boards — *August 24, 2020* — The Master Collision auto repair shop on West Lake Street in Minneapolis features murals painted on its boarded windows. These artworks were created following the widespread unrest in May 2020, which occurred after the killing of George Floyd.

Former kmart store covered in graffiti — *August 23, 2020* — The former K-Mart building on Lake Street in Minneapolis was transformed into a public art installation following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Its boarded-up facade became a canvas for large-scale murals and graffiti. These artworks emerged during a period of widespread protest and rebuilding in the city. Subsequently, the building was repurposed to house a temporary Post Office, providing essential services after two nearby postal facilities were damaged.

Boards on Total Wireless in South Minneapolis — *August 22, 2020* — Storefronts along Lake Street in Minneapolis display murals painted on protective boards. These boards were installed on businesses in August 2020, following widespread protests in Minneapolis after the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. The murals, created by community members and artists, transformed the temporary barriers into public canvases for messages of hope, unity, and social justice. Messages such as 'Black Lives Matter' and calls for community solidarity are visible on the boards covering businesses like Total Wireless, Pineda Tacos, and Subway.

A mural on Lake Street in August 2020 — *August 19, 2020* — A mural depicting a young Black girl with a raised fist is prominently displayed on West Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis. This artwork, seen on August 19, 2020, emerged as part of the widespread artistic responses following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The mural includes the hashtag #AMPLIFYBLACKVOICES.

Kmart covered in art boards in August 2020 — *August 19, 2020* — The former K-Mart store on West Lake Street in Minneapolis displays extensive murals created in the aftermath of the 2020 protests. These artworks, some depicting portraits and messages related to the Minneapolis Uprising, transformed the building's exterior into a public canvas. The retail store has since been repurposed as a United States Post Office, providing essential services after two local post offices were destroyed by fire during the protests.

George Floyd mural covered up after vandalism — *August 19, 2020* — The George Floyd mural on the exterior of Cup Foods, located at E 38th Street in Minneapolis, is covered by a blue tarp. This action followed an act of vandalism against the artwork, which is a prominent feature of the George Floyd Memorial at George Floyd Square. The site gained profound historical significance as the location where George Floyd was killed in May 2020, leading to global protests against racial injustice.

George Floyd Memorial with sunburst — *August 17, 2020* — The George Floyd mural at Cup Foods on East 38th Street in Minneapolis located near where George Floyd was murdered by police on May 25, 2020. This location, known as George Floyd Square, became an autonomous zone and a significant memorial site following his death, drawing visitors and activists from around the world. The photograph, taken on August 17, 2020, shows the mural adorned with numerous flowers and other tributes, reflecting its ongoing use as a place of remembrance and protest.

Graffiti mural with "FLOYD" text and raised fist on wooden fence at George Floyd Square, Minneapolis. — *August 3, 2020* — A George Floyd mural on a fence near near George Floyd Square. "ONE LOVE" written in the grass.

George Floyd mural and memorial flowers at George Floyd Square, Minneapolis. — *August 3, 2020* — George Floyd Square formed at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue South, where Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020.

Community painted mural in Minneapolis — *July 19, 2020* — A community-painted mural on Plymouth Avenue in Minneapolis, created in July 2020, features a prominent stylized portrait. This public artwork emerged in the aftermath of the Minneapolis Uprising, reflecting collective expression and resilience within the community. Such street art served as a significant visual response to the social and political events of the period, transforming urban spaces into sites of public dialogue and remembrance. The mural's presence on Plymouth Avenue underscores its role in documenting a specific historical moment in Minneapolis.

Close up of a Black Lives Matter street mural — *July 19, 2020* — The Black Lives Matter Mural on Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis features this segment dedicated to 'Super Women of Social Justice.' Completed on July 18th, 2020, the vibrant street art displays names of influential figures including Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Malala Yousafzai. This public art piece emerged in the wake of the Minneapolis Uprising, transforming the street into a site of remembrance and advocacy. It serves as a significant cultural marker, commemorating the ongoing movement for racial justice and equality within the urban environment.

Racism is social terrorism on a street mural — *July 19, 2020* — The Black Lives Matter mural on Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis serves as a powerful public art installation. Created in the aftermath of the 2020 protests, this street art piece became a significant symbol during the Minneapolis Uprising. The mural incorporates diverse artistic expressions, including a figure wearing a shirt that reads "Racism is social terrorism." This artwork highlights the community's demand for racial justice and systemic change, transforming a public thoroughfare into a canvas for social commentary.

Close up of a Plymouth Ave street mural — *July 19, 2020* — A segment of the Black Lives Matter street mural on Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis features a portrait of writer and activist James Baldwin. This public art installation was completed on July 18, 2020, following the widespread protests for racial justice in Minneapolis and across the nation. The mural serves as a powerful statement of solidarity and a memorial, transforming the urban environment into a canvas for social commentary. It stands as a lasting symbol of the Minneapolis Uprising and the ongoing movement for Black liberation, reflecting the community's commitment to justice and equality.

Black Lives Matter mural on Plymouth Ave at night — *July 19, 2020* — The Black Lives Matter street mural on Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis is a significant public art installation. Completed on July 18, 2020, this collaborative artwork was created in the aftermath of the Minneapolis Uprising and widespread protests against racial injustice. Each letter of "Black Lives Matter" was designed by different artists, transforming the street into a collective statement. The mural serves as a prominent cultural landmark in North Minneapolis, reflecting the community's ongoing commitment to racial equity and remembrance.

Say their names BLM Native Lives Matter boards — *July 17, 2020* — A Speedway gas station in South Minneapolis displays painted art boards covering its windows. These murals emerged during the Minneapolis Uprising, a period of widespread protest and unrest following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The plywood boards, initially installed for protection, became a public canvas for messages such as "Justice Now," "Say Their Names," "BLM," and "Native Lives Matter." This form of public art provided a means of community expression and remembrance, reflecting the social and political climate of the time.

Gamut Galley art boards — *July 14, 2020* — Storefronts along a street in Minneapolis, including Gamut Gallery, are boarded with plywood. These boards were installed to protect businesses during the civil unrest and protests that followed the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Many of the plywood panels were subsequently transformed into murals and public art, reflecting themes of justice and community. Businesses like Gamut Gallery, 'fades of gray,' 'BEE INK,' and 'ROSE SALON' participated in this widespread practice across the city.

Abolish the police and George Floyd murals on Minnehaha — *July 13, 2020* — Murals and protest art adorn boarded-up buildings along Minnehaha Avenue in South Minneapolis. These public art installations emerged in the aftermath of the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd and the subsequent widespread protests. The artwork includes tributes to George Floyd, calls for justice, and messages such as "Abolish The Police," reflecting the community's demands for systemic change. Serving as a temporary public canvas, these expressions visually documented the grief and activism that characterized the Minneapolis Uprising.

Art boards on Kiku Bistro on Hennepin Ave — *July 12, 2020* — Kiku Bistro on Hennepin Avenue displays protest graffiti from 2020. This restaurant, located in Uptown Minneapolis, boarded its windows with plywood panels following the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd and the subsequent civil unrest. These protective boards became canvases for public expression, featuring graffiti and murals related to the widespread protests. The artwork includes "BLM" (Black Lives Matter) and other messages reflecting the community's response. This imagery documents a specific period of public commentary and artistic engagement within the city's commercial districts.

Boards on the Ananya Dance Theatre in St Paul — *July 12, 2020* — The Ananya Dance Theatre in St. Paul features murals painted on its boarded-up exterior. These artworks emerged in the aftermath of the 2020 protests following the murder of George Floyd, transforming the protective boards into a public expression of grief and calls for justice. The murals include messages such as "JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD" and "BLACK LIVES MATTER," alongside affirmations like "POC WOMAN OWNED," reflecting the theatre's identity and community solidarity. Ananya Dance Theatre, a professional dance company, uses performance to address social justice issues, making its building a fitting canvas for these protest art expressions.

Slice of new york pizza store on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis — *July 12, 2020* — A Slice of New York pizza shop on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis is shown with its storefront windows boarded up. This protective measure was widely adopted by businesses in the area following the civil unrest and protests that erupted after the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Despite the boarding, which includes messages like 'We Are Open' and murals referencing the Black Lives Matter movement, the establishment continues to operate for carry-out and delivery. The image reflects the resilience of local businesses and the visible impact of the historical events on the urban environment of Minneapolis.

Large mural on the side of a building on Nicollet Ave — *July 12, 2020* — The "Floyd's World" mural, located on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, was created on June 5, 2020, in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder and the Minneapolis Uprising. This large-scale graffiti art, painted on the side of a commercial building, features the phrases "Floyd's World" and "Talking about the Revolution," accompanied by a raised fist symbol. The mural serves as a public expression of grief, protest, and a call for social change, reflecting the community's response to the events of that period. It remains a significant piece of public art documenting a critical moment in Minneapolis history.

West Lake Street boarded up businesses — *July 12, 2020* — Murals adorn boarded-up storefronts along West Lake Street in Minneapolis's Lyn-Lake neighborhood. These boards were installed on businesses in July 2020 as a protective measure following civil unrest that occurred after the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Many of these temporary barriers were subsequently transformed into public art by various artists. The murals became a significant visual record of the period, contributing to the cultural landscape of Uptown Minneapolis.

You Hold the Key mural on boarded-up CVS boards, Lake Street, Minneapolis — *July 12, 2020* — The "You Hold the Key" mural by Ballard covers a boarded-up CVS Pharmacy on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Painted in 2020, it features a heart, the word "PEACE," and a large key on protective boards over the storefront.

Boarded storefront murals at Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, June 2020. — *June 27, 2020* — Boarded storefronts at Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis are covered with murals and protest messages in June 2020. The plywood panels include hand-painted portraits, “Black Lives Matter” text, and a memorial sign for George Floyd, whose killing on May 25, 2020, led many businesses across Minneapolis to install protective boarding.

Boarded Spectacle Shoppe and Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, covered with George Floyd murals. — *June 27, 2020* — The Spectacle Shoppe and Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis are boarded up and covered with murals and messages referencing George Floyd and Black Lives Matter. Photographed in late June 2020, the storefronts combine business signage with painted tributes, protest text, and portraits across the plywood panels.

Empty Lake Street at Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis during a police closure at night. — *June 27, 2020* — Lake Street at Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is shown at night during a police street closure on June 27, 2020. The normally busy commercial corridor appears largely empty, with boarded storefront windows and murals visible along the block. Minneapolis police imposed weekend closures in the area at the time in response to large late-night car gatherings in the entertainment district.

Flowers and George Floyd memorial outside Cup Foods at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis after rain. — *June 23, 2020* — George Floyd Square at Chicago Avenue and East 38th Street in Minneapolis is pictured outside Cup Foods on June 23, 2020. Flowers and memorial offerings cover the wet street after rain near the storefront where George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police a month earlier. A large mural on the building and handwritten signs mark the site as a place of mourning, remembrance, and protest.

George Floyd stencil portrait on a Chicago Avenue sidewalk in Minneapolis. — *June 20, 2020* — A stencil portrait of George Floyd on a sidewalk along Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis is shown in close view. The work appeared in the area after Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police in May 2020, when streets around the corridor filled with memorials, murals, and protest art. Painted directly on the pavement, the portrait reflects how public space was used for remembrance and demands for racial justice during that period.

George Floyd and MLK mural on boarded Red Cow windows on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. — *June 16, 2020* — A mural on the boarded windows of the Red Cow restaurant on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis honors George Floyd and Martin Luther King Jr. Painted after Floyd’s killing in 2020, the temporary storefront artwork includes the words “Rest in Power George Floyd Say His Name” and a quotation attributed to King. The boards turned the closed restaurant frontage into a memorial and protest surface during a period of unrest and mourning in Minneapolis.

George Floyd mural and memorial flowers at Cup Foods in Minneapolis, June 2020. — *June 15, 2020* — Cup Foods at East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis is covered with memorial tributes beneath a mural of George Floyd. Photographed at night in June 2020, the storefront at what became known as George Floyd Square is lined with flowers, signs, candles, and other offerings left after Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020.

Kmart on Lake Street in Minneapolis with store-closing signs and murals on boarded windows, June 2020. — *June 14, 2020* — The Kmart store on Lake Street in Minneapolis is shown on June 14, 2020, with large “Store Closing Sale” banners and boarded storefront windows covered in murals and graffiti. Messages and images painted across the boards include “Love Conquers Hate,” peace symbols, and portraits, turning the facade into a temporary public art surface in the weeks after the murder of George Floyd. Shopping carts remain stacked near the entrance as the store stands closed behind the painted boards.

Boarded Hoban Korean BBQ in Minneapolis with “Justice for George” mural and takeout signs. — *June 7, 2020* — The boarded storefront of Hoban Korean BBQ on Hennepin Avenue South in Minneapolis is covered with plywood painted with business information and a large heart-shaped “Justice for George” mural. The boards include the messages “OPEN for change and take-out” and a phone number, along with a note for DoorDash drivers. The storefront was photographed in June 2020, when many Minneapolis businesses were boarded following unrest after the May 25, 2020, killing of George Floyd.

Maya Angelou mural on boarded windows at Calhoun Square in Minneapolis with a quote from “Still I Rise.” — *June 7, 2020* — A mural of Maya Angelou mounted on boarded storefront windows at Calhoun Square in Minneapolis features a passage from her poem “Still I Rise.” Installed along Hennepin Avenue in June 2020, the temporary artwork was part of the wave of protest murals and memorial art that appeared across the city after the murder of George Floyd. The painted boards combine Angelou’s portrait with the lines, “You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies … but still, like dust, I’ll rise.”

Calhoun Square building at Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis at night, with illuminated rooftop sign and boarded ground-floor storefronts painted with murals. — *June 7, 2020* — Calhoun Square at Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is shown at night with its rooftop sign illuminated and its ground-floor storefronts boarded and painted with murals. The mall was later renamed Seven Points Mall. Shown here boarded up with murals after the killing of George Floyd.

Boarded storefront murals on West Lake Street in Minneapolis with George Floyd and Black Lives Matter messages. — *June 7, 2020* — Boarded storefronts covered with murals line West Lake Street in Minneapolis in the early hours of June 7, 2020. The painted plywood panels include messages such as “Justice 4 George,” “Black Lives Matter,” “I Can’t Breathe,” and “I Have a Dream,” displayed across retail spaces protected after damage and unrest following the police killing of George Floyd in late May 2020. The murals turned the temporary barriers into a highly visible corridor of memorial and protest art along one of the city’s main commercial streets.

“Love Hope Unity” mural on an alley wall in Uptown Minneapolis, June 2020. — *June 7, 2020* — The “Love Hope Unity” mural in an alley in Minneapolis’s Uptown neighborhood covers a long black-painted brick wall with large multicolored graffiti-style lettering. Photographed in June 2020, the work is part of the wave of public art created across Minneapolis after the murder of George Floyd and the protests that followed. Its message of love, hope, and unity places the alley within the city’s wider landscape of memorial and response murals from that period.

George Floyd murals on boarded windows at Jakeeno’s Pizza on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, June 2020. — *June 7, 2020* — George Floyd memorial murals cover the boarded windows of Jakeeno’s Pizza on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis. Photographed in early June 2020, the storefront displays hand-painted portraits, flowers, and messages including “Black Lives Matter” and “Say His Name” that were created after Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020, a short distance away. The boards turned the restaurant’s facade into a temporary memorial and a marker of the protests for racial justice that spread across the city.

Adam Turman mural on plywood at Uptown Theatre in Minneapolis reading “The Right Thing” and “Love Mpls.” — *June 5, 2020* — Adam Turman’s 2020 mural on the boarded-up Uptown Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis fills the facade with the words “THE RIGHT THING” above a figure presenting “LOVE MPLS” in outstretched fists. Created in the days after the murder of George Floyd, the work uses bold lettering and a medallion in Pan-African colors to reference solidarity, Black liberation, and calls for justice. Painted on temporary plywood covering the theater, the mural reflects how storefront barriers across Minneapolis became surfaces for public art and messages during that period.

Granada Theatre in Uptown Minneapolis with Justice 4 George Floyd marquee and BLM mural on boarded facade. — *June 4, 2020* — The Granada Theatre on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is shown boarded up with a marquee reading “Justice 4 George Floyd” and “Uptown Love.” A large pink “BLM” mural covers the plywood across the theater’s ground-floor facade. Photographed on June 4, 2020, the image documents how the theater’s exterior was used for messages tied to the protests and neighborhood response after the killing of George Floyd.

George Floyd mural on boarded Stella’s Fish Cafe windows on Lake Street in Minneapolis after protests in 2020. — *June 4, 2020* — A George Floyd mural covers boarded windows at Stella’s Fish Cafe on Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis. The painting includes Floyd’s portrait, the words “SAY MY NAME,” and repeated “BLM” text, while adjacent plywood panels are marked with messages including “Justice 4” and “Say His Name.” The boards were installed to protect storefronts during the unrest that followed Floyd’s killing in May 2020, and many became surfaces for memorials and protest art across Minneapolis.

George Floyd memorial outside Cup Foods in South Minneapolis, with flowers, signs, and a mural on June 4, 2020. — *June 4, 2020* — George Floyd Square outside Cup Foods in South Minneapolis is shown covered with flowers, candles, handwritten signs, and memorial objects on June 4, 2020. The memorial formed at the corner of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020. A large mural of Floyd and messages calling for justice line the storefront, documenting the site’s role as a place of mourning and protest.

Colorful mural on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis depicting Prince with skateboarding figures and vibrant artistic elements. — *June 4, 2020* — A large mural on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis features Prince imagery alongside skateboarding and other figures in vibrant colors.

Colorful mural reading "North Minneapolis" on a building wall beside concrete skate park ramps. — *June 4, 2020* — North Minneapolis mural at a skate park in Minneapolis, covers a wall beside concrete ramps.

Protest murals on boarded storefronts on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis after George Floyd's killing. — *June 4, 2020* — Protest murals and handwritten signs cover the boarded storefronts of a commercial building on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis. Photographed on June 4, 2020, the messages reference George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, and demands for racial justice in the days after Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25. The temporary artwork turned plywood coverings on closed businesses into a public memorial and message wall, with calls to “say his name,” “stop killing us,” and “rebuild community” visible across the block.

Wooden boards with yellow letters reading "Say His Name" and artist tags cover building facades in North Minneapolis. — *June 4, 2020* — Boards bearing the message "George Floyd Say His Name" are displayed on a building facade in North Minneapolis in June 2020.

Bob Dylan lyric mural reflected in a puddle in downtown Minneapolis on June 2, 2020. — *June 2, 2020* — A mural with the words “The times they are a-changin’” is reflected in a puddle in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The text quotes the title lyric of Bob Dylan’s 1964 song “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” linking the public artwork to the Minnesota-born songwriter.

George Floyd mural and memorial at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis with flowers and protest signs. — *May 31, 2020* — The George Floyd mural and memorial at George Floyd Square in South Minneapolis cover the side of the Cup Foods building where Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020. The painted tribute shows his portrait framed by the words “George Floyd” and “I Can Breathe Now,” with the names of other people killed by police written behind him. Flowers, candles, signs, and handwritten messages left at the base of the wall document the site’s role as a public place of mourning and protest in the days after his death.

Street artist painting a George Floyd portrait on boarded storefronts on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. — *May 31, 2020* — A street artist paints a portrait of George Floyd on plywood boarding along Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The temporary panels were installed over storefront windows after unrest and property damage following Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on May 25. Murals and memorial art appeared across the city during this period, using boarded facades as improvised public canvases.

South 10th Street in downtown Minneapolis at sunset, with a music mural and sparse traffic. — *May 29, 2020* — S 10th Street in downtown Minneapolis is shown at sunset on May 29, 2020, with very light traffic and few people visible. Mid-rise office and commercial buildings line the corridor, and a large mural of musical notation covers the wall of the building at right, while a church spire rises in the distance. The photograph was made during the period of unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd, when parts of the downtown street network were noticeably quieter than usual.

Protesters gather on Hennepin Avenue beside Eduardo Kobra's colorful Bob Dylan mural in downtown Minneapolis on May 28, 2020. — *May 28, 2020* — Protesters gather on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis beside Eduardo Kobra’s Bob Dylan mural on May 28, 2020, during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd.

Eduardo Kobra's colorful Bob Dylan mural at Nicollet Mall station in downtown Minneapolis. — *April 27, 2020* — Eduardo Kobra painted this mural of Bob Dylan, titled "Face of Music," in 2015 for the Downtown Improvement District's Betsy-Ann Kane public art initiative. Brazilian street artist Kobra is known for his geometric, kaleidoscope-patterned portraits, which he has installed in cities worldwide. The mural covers roughly 90 feet of wall along the light rail corridor near Nicollet Mall Station, close to Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Dylan grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota, and began his music career in Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota before moving to New York in 1961.

Jack Daniels guitar mural and neon signs illuminate Whiskey Junction nightclub on Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis. — *March 24, 2020* — Whiskey Junction sits on Cedar Avenue in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, a stretch long associated with live music venues near the University of Minnesota's West Bank. The building's side wall carries a large hand-painted mural advertising Jack Daniel's Old No. 7, styled around an electric guitar, alongside signage for "Live at the Whiskey." Next door, The Joint Bar and The Cabooze occupy the same block, part of a cluster of music clubs that has defined this stretch of Cedar Avenue for decades.

Rainbow Chinese Mural on Eat Street Minneapolis — *October 15, 2019* — The bright red mural on the side of Rainbow Chinese Restaurant at 2739 Nicollet Avenue anchors Minneapolis’s iconic “Eat Street” corridor. Painted in bold geometric letters spelling “Minneapolis,” the work was designed to celebrate the neighborhood’s cultural diversity and long history as a hub for immigrant-owned restaurants. The panda motif and stylized lettering nod to the restaurant’s founder, Tammy Wong, whose establishment has been a local fixture since 1987.

"Renter Power!" mural on a concrete retaining wall beneath the Midtown Greenway bridge in Minneapolis. — *July 23, 2019* — A mural proclaiming "Renter Power!" is visible on a concrete retaining wall beneath a bridge along the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis. The Midtown Greenway is a 5.7-mile-long multi-use trail built on a former railroad corridor, popular with cyclists and pedestrians. The mural's message reflects advocacy for tenant rights and affordable housing.

Mural by Cori Nakamura Lin and Tori Hong on Minneapolis's Midtown Greenway addressing housing affordability and renter statistics. — *July 23, 2019* — This mural, created by Cori Nakamura Lin and Tori Hong, is located on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis. The artwork addresses the issue of housing affordability, highlighting statistics about renters spending a significant portion of their income on housing and the disproportionate impact of evictions on low-income communities and communities of color. The Midtown Greenway is a 5.7-mile paved rail trail that runs through the city, serving as a vital corridor for cyclists and pedestrians.

Minneapolis Murals

Minneapolis Photographer