Murals of Erie County
Friday Nov 13th, 2020
“Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness.” – Anni Albers
If you’ve been to Erie and the surrounding area lately, you can’t help but notice a multitude of colorful murals decorating the walls of local buildings. Murals, are definied by Wikipedia as “any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other permanent surfaces. A distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture”. We are fortunate to have OVER 80 MURALS scattered across the City of Erie and the surrounding towns of Girard, Edinboro, Union City and North East. They range from abstract works to specific figures, historical moments, landscapes and pure whimsy.
We invite you to get out and discover them for yourself or with family and friends. Be inspired by the creativity of our local muralists and residents. Make a day of it or make it an overnight adventure and stay for two or three days. We challenge you to try to find them all in the pursuit of Great Art! Scroll down to see a few of our favorite murals.
Click here to download the full list of Erie County Murals.
Click here to download the Erie County Mural Google Map.
NOTE: Most of the murals are located outside, however, there are a few located inside (see the full list of murals for specifics). The majority of murals are not artificially lit, therefore we recommend viewing them during daylight hours.
“Flotsam” by Artist SatOne – Location: Bicentennial Tower 2nd level observation platform.
SatOne is an international street artist living in Germany. He has completed projects in Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, and Norway. Erie was the second city in the United States to have one of his murals on exhibit. “Flotsam” measures approximately 12,000 square feet, making it the largest pieces of public art in Erie. The definition of flotsam is people or items that have been rejected or regarded as worthless. In traditional maritime culture, this mural refers to the wreckage of a ship and what debris may eventually wash ashore. But, as people, SatOne thinks all of us, at one point in our lives, experience a momentary sensation of feeling cast aside and unvalued. Within this image the viewer may discover abstract objects that were carried to the shoreline by the momentum of the spuming waves.
“Her Voice, Her Vote” by Edinboro University Faculty, Alumni and Local Educators –
Location: H.A.N.D.S. Building 7 East 7th Street/Downtown Erie
This mural was a public art project celebrating the centennial of the 19th Amendment, allowing women the right to vote. The piece features women throughout the years, including the first woman to be elected mayor of Erie and the first woman to be elected as Erie county commissioner.
“In The Jungle” by Artist Mark Weber and Local Residents – Location: St. Martin Early Learning Center 1727 State Street
The mural, designed by artist and Erie native Mark Weber, was painted by over 100 area residents who attended the 25th Annual Erie Art Museum Blues & Jazz Festival at Frontier Park in August 2017. The mural was completed in Weber’s studio in North Carolina.
“Erie Industry” by Artist Ehren Knapp – Location: 337 West 12th St., Erie PA 16501
The mural showcases business and industry on the 12th Street corridor. It was done in a Cubist style. Historic companies that are no longer in existence are showcased in the sky while thriving industries are in the foreground.
“The Pontiacs” by Artists Tom Ferraro, Ed Grout, Ron Bayuzick – Location: Bayview Park on West 2nd Street between Walnut and Cherry Sts.
Celebrating Erie's baseball history with a focus on the Pontiacs, a team that included many great players who also played for the Negro League including Sam Jethroe. This mural is part of the “Looking Glass Art Project”, a program developed by Tom Ferraro and Ed Grout in 2012 that is based on collaborative, community public art projects. The goal of
the “Looking Glass Art Project” is not only to make public art, but to also help participants feel revitalized and empowered to create a legacy through public art. It also encourages ownership in the piece by a diverse group of participants.
“Rudy” by Artist Evoca1 – Location: east side of Methodist Towers 160 West 8th Street
Originally from the Dominican Republic, but now living in South Florida, Evoca1 is a self-taught artist. His work is figurative and flawlessly merges art and humanity into a single creation. As an artist, he observes human behaviors and social struggles and translates that into emotionally provocative murals and sculptures. Evoca1 has painted murals across the globe, including Abdu Dhabi, Australia, Austria, France, Guam, and Peru. For every mural he creates, Evoca1 focuses on a person local to the community where he is painting. For his 9-story Erie mural, Evoca1 selected Rudy Daniels, a resident of Methodist Towers.
“The Butterfly Effect” by Artist Lacy Brant – Location: H&S Computers 31 E. Main St. in Girard PA
The mural hopes to inspire and encourage acts of kindness and generosity. “Be the change you want to see in the world” is written on the wings. People are encouraged to come take pictures with the mural, which will make them look like they have wings.
“The Steel Age” by Artist George Humes – Location: 5560 Route 6N in Edinboro PA
“The Steel Age,” greets students and their families on the way to Edinboro University. The original mural centered around the Steelers’ 1970 Super Bowl Dynasty. It recently underwent a facelift and now features famous Steeler Hines Ward and includes the new Super Bowl championships from 2006 & 2009. Future plans aim to highlight Erie native James Connor.
