“Murals can be a tool for social change - they give visibility to people and stories that are often ignored.”
-Judy Baca
Last week, I tossed out a simple question on Threads: ‘What’s the next big mural in Downtown Milwaukee? We’ve got Giannis. We’ve got Bob. Uecker. Who’s next? We need a woman.’
And people showed up.
The new Bob Uecker mural in Downtown Milwaukee.
What started as a quick prompt turned into a real conversation about who we choose to honor - and what that says about a city.
Because murals aren’t just decoration. They’re declarations.
They signal what matters in a city. They show visitors who we celebrate. And maybe most importantly, they show the next generation whose stories are worth putting up in lights … or in this case, 60 feet of paint.
We’ve got some strong reference points already.
‘The Unsung Hero’ in Milwaukee’s Third Ward - modeled after Chef Karen Bell - is powerful, but intentionally anonymous. ‘Heart & Sol’ downtown is full of hope and symbolism.
Both matter. Both add something.
But neither answers the question: who are the women we are willing to name, to elevate, and to make permanent?
That feels like the opportunity in front of us. Because murals are one of the few things in a city that truly belong to everyone. No high-priced ticket. No barrier. Just presence.
And over time, they shape how a place sees itself. Even when someone leaves the city or passes on.
So here’s the ask for your community: Don’t just admire murals - advocate for them.
Speak up about who should be on your walls. Support the artists doing the work. Push for projects that reflect the full story of your area.
If murals are a mirror, then we all have a say in what that mirror shows.
And right now, wherever you are - I’m guessing there’s still space on the wall.