NATIONAL MURAL DAY

NATIONAL MURAL DAY

Each year on the last Saturday in June, we celebrate National Mural Day to honor the vibrant and powerful art of murals and the artists who create them. From colorful street corners to towering cityscapes, murals bring people together, inspire dialogue, and add beauty to the spaces we share. On this day, we celebrate not only the muralists who pour their creativity into public spaces but also the communities that support and sustain these public art efforts.

#NationalMuralDay

Murals are large-scale works of art that transform everyday walls into meaningful expressions of culture, history, and community. They are more than just paint on a wall--they are visual storytellers. A mural can capture local history, celebrate cultural identity, commemorate events, and amplify social movements. National Mural Day spotlights the artists behind the brushstrokes and the communities that breathe life into their messages.

Brief History of Murals

Murals have been used as a form of public storytelling since prehistoric times. The earliest known murals date back to 30,000 BC in caves like Lascaux in France. From ancient Egyptian tombs to Renaissance frescoes, mural painting has been a consistent part of human expression.

In the 20th century, murals became a major medium for social and political commentary. For example, the Mexican Muralism Movement, led by artists like Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, was one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century globally. The movement showed the world that art can be educational, political, and profoundly powerful. Today, murals continue to evolve through contemporary street art, digital projection murals, and participatory community projects.

Murals have become an integral part of the Route 66 experience depicting everything from nostalgic road scenes to historical moments, local landmarks, pop culture, and the legendary cars and travelers that have defined the route. For over 2,400 miles, towns along the Route 66 celebrate local culture, history, and unique character through the artwork, which maintain strong ties to the route’s legacy.

4 Iconic Mural Stops on Route 66

  1. Cuba, Missouri - Known as the "Route 66 Mural City," Cuba is famous for the stunning murals found on buildings throughout the town. Each mural is a depiction of the history of Route 66, including the vibrant car culture.

  2. Tulsa, Oklahoma - Tulsa has long been a hub for Route 66 culture. Home to numerous murals that celebrate Route 66’s history, Tulsa's murals are dedicated to jazz music, the oil industry, and historic motels and roadside attractions that once lined the highway. The iconic murals tell a story of the city’s vital role in the highway’s history, especially in the 1930s and 1940s.

  3. Kingman, Arizona - Kingman has a number of murals dedicated to the history of Route 66. Each mural is a testament to the town and the development of the American West. Many murals found in Kingman are a nostalgic nod to the golden age of travel and feature historic cars, vintage signage, and the Santa Fe Railroad, which played an essential role in the town’s development.

  4. Santa Monica, California - As the final stop on Route 66, Santa Monica's murals symbolize the completion of the long journey across the country. They reflect both the adventure and the dreams that Route 66 represents. The city features a number of murals and signs marking the end of the historic route. Some murals capture the connection between the ocean and the road, while others pay tribute to California's beach culture.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL MURAL DAY

National Mural Day is more than a celebration of art! Today is a celebration of connection to turn blank walls into voices. They tell stories and create a belonging to community. Murals are proof that a little color and a lot of collaboration can transform not just buildings, but entire communities. Here are some ways you can celebrate National Mural Day:

  1. Create a community project by collaborating with local artists to design and paint a mural that reflects your community.

  2. Visit a city that showcases murals. As you explore, take pictures and share with others to encourage them visit mural locations.

  3. Support a mural project by volunteering your artistic skills or provide funding to the artists creating murals.

  4. Share your favorite mural photos on social media using the hashtag #NationalMuralDay. Don't forget to tag artists who helped bring the murals to life!

HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL MURAL DAY

In 2025, the Registrar at National Day Calendar approved National Mural Day to be celebrated each year during the Last Saturday in June.

About the Founder

Viva Cuba, Inc. is an organization in Cuba, Missouri, that has created a local beautification program that has changed the town for a better and sustainable future. In 2001, the Peoples Bank commissioned to have a mural created. The project was completed entirely by volunteers and caught the attention of locals and travelers alike. Since then, Viva Cuba, Inc. has been committed to turning unattractive walls overlooking Route 66 into amazing artistic expressions.

Today, Cuba is proud to have 15 murals, each sharing a story via a QR code about the significance of the artwork to the community. Visitors can experience the art up close and stroll around town to other attractions, like the Crawford County Historical Society Museum. All the murals are expressions of gratitude, hope, and history of the town’s many great artistic stories that are accessible to all who visit. Whether it’s from the inside of a car or a walk around town, the murals in Cuba capture the imagination of all ages.

Follow Viva Cuba, Inc. on Instagram to see what's coming next!