Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood has some of the most Instagrammable murals in Cleveland. Bold, colorful murals cover what was once an old, industrial, and drab looking walls instantly brightening the neighborhood and making it a more cheerful place.
In 2016, Ohio City was the center of a program called Creative Fusion where various local arts hot spots sponsored an International artist to come to Cleveland and pair up with a local artist. Several of these murals were part of that project which sparked a mural revolution in town bringing more murals to surrounding neighborhoods and downtown.
Keep reading and I will take you through some of my favorite murals around the neighborhood. I’ll tell you everything from how to find them, where to park, who created them, and any other details I have found in my research. These murals aren’t the only ones in the neighborhood, but these are some of my favorite and most Instagrammable. Enjoy!
Learn more about Cleveland Foundation Creative Fusion Program
Greeting’s From Cleveland Mural
Vintage Postcard style by the traveling Greeting’s tour
Inspired by vintage travel postcards, the Greeting’s Tour crew has been traveling the country painting these awesome murals in many cities. Cleveland’s just happens to be within Ohio City and is one of the most Instagrammable murals in town.
Located near several restaurants, boutiques and shops, and the famous and historic West Side Market, there is plenty to do in the area after getting the perfect shot. Grab a slice of pizza at Citizen Pie, grab tacos and tequila at Bakersfield or grab a sweet treat at Campbell’s. You can also shop the locally owned Room Service, Salty Not Sweet, and Oh Pink! Party Supply shops to name a few. You are also minutes away from the Tremont neighborhood.
Mimicking vintage postcard styles makes this mural a perfect backdrop for travelers and locals alike. Have a perfect photograph memory of your visit to The Land by standing in front of the mural for a shot. This also is perfect if you just moved into town and if you’re a local consider it for your next holiday or greeting card cover.
Greetings from Cleveland
Artist: Greetings Tour
Location: 2549 Chatham Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
Parking: Street park on Chatham, easily walkable from other W.25 St. locations.
Too Many Snakes, Not Enough Ladders Mural
Colorful characters that pop
This Instagrammable mural in Ohio City has really done its part to revitalize a once drab, dull end of the neighborhood. The bright colors and characters really pop on the dark background and it adds a much-needed dose of color.
This mural is located in a sub-neighborhood within Ohio City called Hingetown. This sub-neighborhood has been continuously growing and changing since this mural was painted in 2016 and has become one of the more popular parts of town. With numerous apartments, restaurants, and shops popping up its fun place to visit.
You can visit a book-themed bar directly across from the mural called Bookhouse Brewery. Or, continue down the street and explore more restaurant options from a deli built in an old firehouse called Larder, a music-themed Jukebox bar, a huge brewery, and a pizza shop called Saucy Brew Works. There’s even space for Art at the Transformer Station and Spaces gallery. Plenty to keep you entertained – and several murals on this list are just around the corner!
A perfect destination for portraits. Have fun getting up-close to the colorful shapes for abstract background or pull back and get the full mural in. Explore different angles and perspectives for a fresh look.
Too Many Snakes, Not Enough Ladders
Artist: David Shilinglaw
Location: 1468 W. 25th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Parking: Street park on Church Avenue. The parking lot of the mural requires parking permits.
Clevelander’s Mural
A Cleveland Classic
It’s hard to believe but there was once a time when Cleveland didn’t have that many murals. This one’s an oldie but goodie and I’ve always loved the aesthetic of the vines growing over the mural. This mural has a new neighbor of the mural above by David Shillinglaw and a new addition not photographed by a street artist that goes by Humen Race in between the two murals.
Another awesome location for portraits, especially when the vines are full as it really adds a unique look to the mural.
Clevelander’s Mural
Artist: Ryan Jaenke
Location: 1468 W. 25th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Parking: Street park on Church Avenue. The lot the mural requires parking permits.
Want to learn more about Cleveland’s Ohio City? Check out my neighborhood guide!
Prince With A Donut Mural
Game, blouses…
Every time I see this mural I am taken back to that classic Dave Chappelle Show skit about Charlie Murphy playing a pickup game with Prince. It’s a local favorite and its pop-art illustrated styles make the once dull, industrial area have a little life to it making it one of the most Instagrammable murals in Ohio City.
Bring your a favorite donut and mimic the mural for a fun shoot. If the cars driving by keep blocking your view, experiment with long exposure to catch them zooming by.
Prince with a donut
Artist: Glen Infante
Location: 1335 Main Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Parking: Street park on Church Avenue
We are All Made of Stars Mural
A three-eyed tiger
It’s amazing how much some color and cheerful illustrations can transform a section of a neighborhood. While this entire area is kind of a mess right now due to major road construction and two huge apartment projects, this brightly colored mural still brings joy to the neighborhood through all the rubble.
It’s really hard to get this entire mural in one shot as it spans almost a full city block. Try to shoot on an angle up close and you can get more in a smaller photo. Also, try to shoot up close for a more abstract perspective.
We Are All Made of Stars
Artist: Michela Picchi
Location: Near corner of W.28 and Church Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Parking: Street park on Church Avenue
Pizzashrine Mural
I want pizza… P I Z Z A
The iconic pizza slice. The most perfect slice of pie splattered against a wall you ever did see is also one of the most Instagrammable murals in Ohio City.
The area is fenced off for construction currently but hoping it will clear out soon so the pizza selfies can continue. This mural is around the corner from Hingetown which is full of restaurants and other shops to explore.
Pizzashrine
Artist: Mike Sobek
Location: Near corner of W.28 and Church Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Parking: Street park on Church Avenue
Glass Bubble Project Mural
so much color, so much fun
This is one of the oldest murals in Ohio City that’s even older than Instagram itself. It also has been one of the most popular locations for a photoshoot or selfie since it was painted around 2008. The mural is near the popular and historic West Side Market on an outside wall of the Glass Bubble Project, a local glass blowing studio. It’s one of the more popular of the Instagrammble murals around Ohio City as it’s been around the longest and is a lot of fun.
If you’re feeling hungry after your photoshoot you have a lot of options. Some of my favorites are getting a burrito bowl at Ohio City Burrito, sitting on the back patio of Nano Brew, and getting a scoop of my favorite flavors at Mithcell’s Ice Cream all right around the block from the mural.
Glass Bubble Project Mural
Artist: Micheal McNamara & Glass Bubble Project
Location: 2421 Bridge Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Parking: Some street parking, ample paid parking behind the building. (First 90 minutes free during West Side Market hours)
Cartoon Faces Mural
So many faces
When this mural was created, this building was still an old, run-down building. Now it’s home to Title Boxing and Saucy Brew Works so some modifications were made – the door, windows, and this large black door. It still looks really fun either way and really brightens the area up.
Lots of fun shops and restaurants in the area. Check out Larder, Cleveland Tea Revival, Beet Jar, Jukebox, and get a slice at Saucy Brew Works. A perfect backdrop for a photoshoot, but if you’re shooting solo, try to get your reflection in one of the windows so you can be one of the faces.
Cartoon Faces Mural
Artist: Joe Lanzilotta
Location: 2885 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Parking: Street parking. Currently, there is a lot of construction in this area due to a new apartment and road construction so the view may not be the most optimal.
West Side Market Mural
This is what it sounds like when I’m thinking
Such a bright and fun mural you can find in the back parking lot of The West Side Market against the Market Garden Brewery building. They based this painting on a poem by Rowan Ricardo Phillips, which is where the quote comes from. They even have one of their doodles turned into a bike rack from the crew at Rust Belt Welding.
You’re going to be right next to Market Garden Brewery Store & Tours as well as the Historic West Side Market and dozens of awesome restaurants and shops nearby. Perfect for a kids photoshoot (or kid at heart).
This is what it sounds like when I’m thinking
Artist: The Bubble Process (visit their site)
Location: 1849 W 24th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Parking: Ample parking at the West Side Market parking lot where this mural is located. If you can find a spot on the nearby streets you can walk into the lot, too.
Fried Egg & Vegetables Mural
IF YOU SEE A CLOUD…
Inspired by the West Side Market, French artist Patrice Marchand created this colorful food-themed mural to replace what was once a chalkboard that everyone would chalk their “Before I Die” wishes on. The mural was created to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Cleveland and Rouen. A perfect backdrop to take a food selfie with the yummy treat you just got from the West Side Market!
Fried Egg & Vegetables
Artist: Patrice Marchand
Location: 1947 W.25th St., Cleveland, OH 44113
Parking: Ample parking at the West Side Market parking lot where this mural is located. If you can find a spot on the nearby streets you can walk to it, too.
Full Tilt Mural
Inspired by the city
I love the simple color palette with this mural, with so much going on. Lots of fun patterns, shapes, and things going on. This mural is now next to a parking lot so you have to get creative to get a full photo.
Not only are you near several other murals on this list, but there are also a lot of really cool places nearby. You can grab a beer at the book-themed Bookhouse Brewery right across from the mural. Hungry? A short walk down the street you can have some pizza at Saucy Brew Works, grab a bite, and some tunes at Jukebox and have some deli food at Larder (and my favorite their black & white cookie).
Because there’s a parking lot next to the mural, you might have to get creative to get your shots. Try close-ups on your favorite part or angle to get your shot.
Full Tilt
Artist: Ryan Jaenke
Location: 1452 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Parking: Parking lot next to mural and street park
The Love Birds Mural
The Love Birds
The epitome of Instagrammable murals in Ohio City is this Love Bird mural by local artists Erin Guido and joe Lanzilotta. Chosen by Instagram for their Kind Comments Campaign during Pride month, this mural encourages using the hashtag #kindcomments to make someone’s day. Because there’s a parking lot next to the mural, you might have to get creative to get your shots. Try close-ups on your favorite part or angle to get your shot.
Love Birds
Artist: Erin Guido & Joe Lanzilotta
Location: 1315 Main Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Parking: Street park.
Map Murals
Colorful map of the city
This mural was painted as a way to bridge the community that was split by the Shoreway. At a glance, this mural looks like a bunch of colorful shapes but when really look you’ll notice it’s actually a map of the area.
At one point they had a couple of sets of swings attached to the blue beams but they’ve since been removed. Hoping it’s just for the construction happening nearby (as of 8/2018) and they return! This makes a really fun backdrop for portrait sessions.
Map Murals
Artist: L|A|N|D Studio, Emily Acita of Americorps and the children of Lakeview Terrace
Location: There’s two of these and they can both be found under The Shoreway’s bridges crossing West 28th.
Parking: No real parking nearby. You’ll have to find street parking nearby.
Lakeview Terrace Mural
Inspired by residents of Lakeview Terrace
While in town from Brazil for the 2016 Creative Fusion program, Ananda Nuha was inspired by the residence of the Lakeview Terrace, an apartment complex directly across from her mural location. She was initially going to paint bold, colorful patterns but after getting to know the residents she changed her mural to represent the children of the area she was inspired by. Read more about her inspiration to create a 620-foot long mural on Washington Avenue. You’ll have to photograph this mural on an angle or with a very wide lens to capture it all. Try focusing on the area that speaks to you the most and get a close-up detail shot.
Lakeview Terrace Mural
Artist: Ananda Nuha (visit her site)
Location: 2799 Washington Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
Parking: Street parking in some areas
So there you have it, some of the most Instagrammable murals in Ohio City! There are so many murals around town and so many new ones popping up all the time that I may do another post just for Ohio City! Keep an eye out for other neighborhood mural posts!
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