Must‑See Nashville Murals are quickly becoming as iconic as the city’s stages and studios, drawing travelers eager to capture bold colors alongside guitar riffs. Packed into the first few blocks of downtown, these Must‑See Nashville Murals turn brick walls, bridges, and even police‑station courtyards into an open‑air gallery that resonates with Nashville’s musical legacy. Over the last decade, every season has unveiled a fresh layer of paint or a new sculpture, making each return trip a brand‑new scavenger hunt for art lovers.
Beyond serving as photo backdrops, Must‑See Nashville Murals weave community pride, social commentary, and historical nods into the urban fabric—ensuring you’ll leave with more than a pretty picture. Whether you’re on a tight layover or planning a full weekend crawl, the sections below will guide you straight to the city’s most celebrated works.
A City Painted With Melody
Nashville’s reputation rests firmly on its music‑industry shoulders, yet the city’s walls, plazas, and green spaces now sing just as loudly as its honky‑tonks. Over the last decade a wave of street artists and sculptors has turned every other block into a photo stop, layering bright colors and bold messages onto the city’s already rich cultural score. From the “Music City USA” piece on the flank of the Country Music Hall of Fame to abstract metal giants in busy roundabouts, each work contributes a fresh verse to Nashville’s living songbook.
Iconic Murals You’ll Want on Your Camera Roll
Music City USA
Painted high on the museum’s exterior, this massive design welcomes visitors with a collage of guitars, records, and skyline elements—a visual overture that hints at what waits inside.
What Lifts You – Wings (The Gulch)
Kelsey Montague’s delicate lace wings, installed in 2016, have become the unofficial passport stamp for first‑time visitors. Stand on the pavement markers, raise your arms, and you’re instantly part of the artwork’s uplifting message.
Candy Hearts (The Gulch)
Bryson Leach replaces chalky Valentine candies with mural‑sized sweets held aloft by stylized figures. The piece doubles as a reminder that kindness and connection should be shared year‑round, not just on holidays.
Giant Ear & Microphone (The Gulch)
Ben Passmore’s 2020 contribution features an exaggerated ear opposite an oversized mic, inviting passers‑by to pose, listen, and then speak up. The text “Hear Here Nashville” underscores the city’s tradition of storytelling—and active listening.
I Believe in Nashville (12 South)
Painted in the wake of devastating tornadoes, Adrien Saporiti’s bold red‑white‑and‑blue emblem has evolved into a civic mantra. Locals still touch the wall for luck before big events.
What Lifts You – Hot Air Balloon (East Nashville)
Montague’s companion piece depicts a striped balloon rising above rooftops, encouraging dreamers to look upward and keep moving forward.
Looking Pretty, Music City (12 South)
Emily Eisenhart’s 2019 portrait shows a floral‑crowned guitarist mid‑strum, marrying Southern charm with rock‑and‑roll edge. Visit in late spring when real blooms echo the painted ones.
Public Art That Stops Traffic
Airwave (Madison Police Precinct)
Suzy Hendrix constructed this powder‑coated steel sculpture to mimic radio frequencies caught in mid‑vibration. Its bright curves salute the invisible waves that have carried Nashville sound across the globe.
Citizen (Public Square Park)
Thomas Sayre planted two concrete figures, each 30 feet tall, on the courthouse lawn. Visitors can crank the mechanisms at their bases to swivel the statues’ arms toward downtown landmarks, turning spectators into participants.
City Irises (Hermitage Park)
Jessica Eichman’s ten‑foot steel flowers transform viewers into tiny garden creatures. Stand beneath the petals and the city noise recedes behind a rustle of imaginary leaves.
Microphone (Music Row)
A team of three artists—Franne Lee, Keith Harmon, and Mac Hill—erected a gleaming vintage mic at the east end of Music Row. It’s both beacon and tribute to the countless recordings born on that street.
Capital (Bicentennial Mall)
Luke Tidwell re‑interprets Tennessee’s three‑star flag as a series of stacked, brushed‑metal rings. The design nods to the state’s mountains, highlands, and lowlands while symbolizing unity.
Sculptures That Define the Skyline
Chet Atkins Statue (Fifth & Union)
Sculptor Russell Faxon captured the guitar great mid‑riff, fingers poised on bronze strings. An adjacent bench invites fans to share the stage.
Ghost Ballet (East Bank of the Cumberland)
Alice Aycock’s red steel ribbon twists above an old crane pedestal. The looping form resembles a dancer’s skirt, changing shape as you walk around it.
Musica (Music Row Roundabout)
Nine larger‑than‑life bronze figures whirl in perpetual dance, celebrating the universality of rhythm and movement. Created by Alan LeQuire, it’s the largest bronze group in the United States.
Owen Bradley at the Piano (Owen Bradley Park)
Gary Ernest Smith immortalized the producer who helped craft the “Nashville Sound.” The friendly pose—Bradley half‑turned as if to chat—makes the piece perfect for selfies.
Stix (8th Avenue & Korean Veterans Boulevard)
Christian Moeller planted 27 painted cedar poles, each 70 feet tall, in an irregular ring. The installation honors Indigenous tribes while injecting vivid stripes of color into a busy traffic loop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are most murals located?
Hotspots include The Gulch and East Nashville, though new works appear city‑wide. A single afternoon in either neighborhood can net a dozen photo ops of Must‑See Nashville Murals.
Which sculptures draw the biggest crowds?
Musica, Ghost Ballet, and the full‑scale Athena Parthenos replica inside Centennial Park headline most must‑see lists.
Why invest in so much public art?
Murals and sculptures showcase local identity, spark conversation, and make art accessible to everyone. They also boost tourism—visitors plan whole itineraries around photographing Must‑See Nashville Murals.
Is there a best time to visit?
Spring and fall offer mild weather and softer light for photography, but the artworks themselves are on display year‑round—and many pieces are illuminated after dark.
Final Thoughts – Keep Chasing Must‑See Nashville Murals
From soaring wings in The Gulch to towering cedar poles downtown, Must‑See Nashville Murals capture the city’s stories in living color. Wander with a camera and a curious ear—every corner hums with a new verse of Nashville’s creative anthem. And because artists keep adding fresh paint, today’s discovery is just the prologue to your next hunt for Must‑See Nashville Murals on a future trip.
