Every few days I walk down Ballard Avenue, a commercial district near where I live in Seattle. In late March, after the COVID-19 shutdown, many of the shops on the Ave were boarded up to prevent looting and discourage graffiti. Soon after, several artists began creating murals and painting poems on the boarded up buildings. The transformation has been exciting to witness in these otherwise gloomy times. I included a few of the before photos so you can see how much the art changed the atmosphere. No one knows how this pandemic will end, but it's encouraging to see all this creative energy focused in such a positive way.
I've tried to credit the artists wherever possible. Please support their work by checking out their sites and feeds. They've been creating messages of hope and resistance that have revitalized this neighborhood.
The images are in chronological order starting on March 29, 2020. Hover over the images to see location and artist credits. You can click on the photos to see larger versions that you can click through one at at time.
Anchored Ship
Other Coast - Standard Goods - re soul
a & be bridal
King's Hardware - Poem by @brittanypaige, Design by @parkerdotstudio
Tractor Tavern
Ascent Outdoors
Venue - Mural by @josephinerice.flower
Camelion Design - Mural by @achene.eye
Skal - Mural in-process by @mmork and @marithelenaart
Hazelwood - Mural by @stepfrae
Hazelwood - Mural by @stepfrae
The Market Arms
Bitterroot BBQ - Mural in-process by @stepfrae
Lucca - Mural by @dozfy
Lucca - Mural by @dozfy
Horseshoe Boutique - Mural by @torikinn
September - Mural by @lauraburkhart
Mural by Henry
a & be bridal - Mural by @torikinn
Kavu - Mural by @tay_reed
Kula Movement
bitterroot bbq - Mural by @stepfrae
Percy's - Mural by @achene.eye
Standard Goods - Mural by @ stepfrae
Skal - Mural by @mmork and @marithelenaart
Dandelion Botanical and Lucky Vintage - Mural by Henry
Dandelion Botanical and Lucky Vintage - Mural by Henry
Patagonia - Mural by volunteer - unsigned
Secret Savory - Mural by Henry
ReStyle for Ryther - Mural by Henry
La Carta De Oaxaca - Mural by Henry
Mural by @m_a_r_o_u_h
Tractor Tavern - Mural by @kateblackstock and @fridaclements
Ballard Smoke Shop - Mural by @marithelenaart
Kavu - Poem by Brian "Cookie" Chandler
Conor Byrne Pub - Mural by Miller
Kathy Casey Food Studios - Mural by @glynnrosenberg
Kathy Casey Food Studios - Mural by @saint.jermain
Kathy Casey Food Studios - Mural by @hello.carolyn
Kathy Casey Food Studios - Mural by @bmals
Mural by @m_a_r_o_u_h
Ballard Smoke Shop - Murals by Henry and artist unknown
artist unknown
bitterroot bbq - Mural by @stepfrae
Ascent Outdoors - mural by Ascent Outdoors - Mural by @drawntohighplaces
You can find more information about the murals on My Ballard: