Discover the Wabash Arts Corridor
While there are many interesting and wacky places to discover in Chicago—we’re talking Shit Fountains and Wizard of Oz Parks—the Windy City’s street art scene is also very popular. Known as a “living urban canvas,” the Wabash Arts Corridor (WAC) in Chicago’s South Loop district, is one such beloved hotspot.
Spanning the area between Van Buren Street and Roosevelt Road and stretching from State Street to Michigan Avenue, this corridor is a sequence of ordinary alleys and building walls that have been transformed into a vibrant showcase of street art. The art along this corridor has been added to over the last 10 years by local and international artists and the WAC has grown to become one of the city’s most important cultural assets.
The History of the Wabash Arts Corridor
The Wabash Arts Corridor was originally conceived in 2013 as the brainchild of Columbia College Chicago, an institution with a strong focus on visual and performing arts. The concept behind the WAC was to take art beyond traditional gallery spaces and embed it into public life, immersing students and the community in an environment that nurtures creativity.
In its early years, the WAC brought together students, local businesses, artists, and educators, encouraging a shared creative vision. As artists from across the globe added their work, the corridor became a hub for an array of large-scale murals, installations, performances, and projections that invigorated the South Loop. WAC’s founding team included notable Columbia College staff like Alicia Berg, Mark Kelly, and Tara Vock, as well as dedicated community members and local businesses.
As WAC evolved, it became a hotspot for collaborations with high-profile artists and events. One example of this occurred in 2014 when Columbia College teamed up with Shepard Fairey for his “The Provocateurs” exhibition at Lollapalooza. This partnership resulted in several large-scale murals created by Fairey, Retna, Cleon Peterson, and POSE, adding further prestige to the corridor and drawing widespread attention to its cultural significance.
The WAC today spans eight educational institutions, 19 galleries, 14 performance spaces, and includes partnerships with major hotels and local businesses. This network not only supports the corridor but also integrates it deeply into the economic and cultural fabric of Chicago’s South Loop, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and international acclaim.
The Wabash Arts Corridor’s Role in Diversifying Art
Beginning in 2016, the Wabash Arts Corridor embarked on a focused mission to uplift diverse voices in the art world. Under the guidance of chief curator Neysa Page-Lieberman, WAC prioritized murals and installations created by women artists and artists of color, establishing one of the largest public art collections in the country dedicated to underrepresented voices. Programs like STREET LEVEL (2016), the Wabash Arts Corri-Doors (2019-2020), and the Sister Cities Artist Exchange (2017-2019) reflected this commitment, enriching the corridor’s diversity and inclusive spirit.
In 2020, Meg Duguid took over as chief curator, continuing the mission to expand representation and accessibility within the WAC. The corridor now serves as a creative laboratory for artistic exploration and social commentary, capturing the essence of Chicago’s diverse population and cultural landscape.
The Wabash Arts Corridor: A “Living Urban Canvas”
One of the Wabash Arts Corridor’s most distinctive features is its reputation as a “living urban canvas.” The corridor embraces a DIY spirit, inviting artists to use the cityscape as their canvas and continuously adding new murals and installations. Art can be seen on nearly every surface—from the sides of buildings and alleys to parking lot walls—allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the creativity that flows throughout the South Loop.
Thanks to this ever-growing collection, the WAC offers a fresh experience with every visit, making it a perfect outdoor activity that’s free of charge and accessible to all. In addition to serving as a tourist attraction, the WAC fosters a sense of community among local residents and business owners, uniting them through a shared love of art and creativity.
The Artwork of the Wabash Arts Corridor
Home to more than 30 large-scale murals, the WAC spans roughly a mile along Wabash Avenue. Each piece in this open-air gallery has its own story, with new projects regularly emerging.
Here are some of the highlights you’ll encounter while exploring the Wabash Arts Corridor:
I Am You, You Are Me
(Artist: Ricky Lee Gordon | Location: 634 S. Wabash)
Ricky Lee Gordon, a South African artist, explores themes of interconnectedness in his work. His mural, inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu, illustrates the idea that our identities are deeply intertwined with one another. Keep a sharp lookout for this mural; it’s easy to miss but powerful in its message.
Impossible Meeting
(Artist: Marina Zumi | Location: 901 S. Michigan)
Sao Paulo-based artist Marina Zumi traveled to Chicago to bring this dreamlike mural to life in 2016. Known for her signature pastel hues, Zumi’s mural, “Impossible Meeting,” conjures a surreal, otherworldly scene that mirrors the ethereal quality of her murals worldwide, from Buenos Aires to Berlin.
Stars & Styles
(Artist: DMNOLOGY | Location: 618 S. Wabash)
A Chicago native, DMNOLOGY brings his “Wild Onion” style—a nod to Chicago’s Algonquin roots as the “place of wild onions”—to the WAC with “Stars & Styles.” Known for his graffiti-like approach, DMNOLOGY adds a distinctly Chicagoan flavor to the corridor’s art scene.
From Boom to Doom
(Artist: Collin van der Slujis | Location: 1006 S. Michigan)
This mural by Dutch artist Collin van der Slujis highlights the yellow-headed blackbird, a species once common to the area but now largely absent due to habitat loss. “From Boom to Doom” is an important reminder of the need for environmental preservation.
Make Your Own Luck
(Artist: ASVP | Location: 1 E. Balbo)
Created by Brooklyn-based duo ASVP, this mural is part of the “Power of Paint” series, which emphasizes art’s capacity to inspire and uplift. A portion of the artwork’s proceeds went to charity, underscoring the artists’ commitment to making a positive impact.
Stop Telling Women to Smile
(Artist: Tatyana Fazlalizadeh | Location: 801 S. Wabash)
This thought-provoking mural by Brooklyn artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh confronts the issue of street harassment. Featuring portraits of women who have been subjected to catcalling, the artwork sends a powerful message on the importance of respecting women’s autonomy.
Untitled
(Artists: Lady Lucx & Sarah Stewart | Location: 525 S. Wabash)
This mural, strategically located near a parking garage, draws inspiration from the view of the orange line ‘L’ train as it transitions from the south side into Chicago’s city center.
Moose Bubblegum Bubble
(Artist: Jacob Watts | Location: 33 E. Congress)
A playful piece and a favorite among visitors, this mural depicts a moose blowing a bubblegum bubble. Selected as a winner in a Columbia College competition, it’s become one of the WAC’s iconic works and can even be spotted from the ‘L’ train.
Visiting the Wabash Arts Corridor
Exploring the Wabash Arts Corridor is straightforward and accessible for all. The corridor runs along Wabash Avenue between Roosevelt and Harrison stops on the CTA’s Red Line, making it convenient for visitors to navigate using public transit. From the Roosevelt stop at the south end, you can walk northward along Wabash Avenue.
For a more immersive experience, be sure to check out both the main street art and the hidden gems tucked away in alleys. The WAC website provides an interactive and printable map, which not only shows the exact locations of the artwork but also suggests the best vantage points for photos. Wear comfortable walking shoes and allow plenty of time to explore each mural, as new pieces are continually added to this “living urban canvas.”
For those who prefer guided experiences, organized tours are available for a small fee, with options for adults, students, and seniors. These tours delve into the background of the artists and the techniques used to create each mural, enriching your experience with local and cultural insights.
Explore Beyond the Wabash Arts Corridor with CityDays
If your exploration of the Wabash Arts Corridor has sparked your sense of adventure, consider exploring even more of Chicago with CityDays.
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