From downtown intersections to underutilized spaces on the outskirts of the city, artwork is everywhere in Spokane, and its mural culture has thrived for several decades.

The City of Spokane and Spokane Arts have made a concerted effort to reimagine murals as a way to engage the community. Many of these pieces are designed in places that see a large volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

Many locals have also taken these projects into their own hands, creating art without organizational oversight in various parts of town.

Here are some of the most unique murals in Spokane:

Kobe and Gianna Bryant (1514 Northwest Blvd.)

On the same day in 2020 that the Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe Bryant, artist Daniel Lopez completed a mural depicting Kobe and his daughter Gianna, both of whom died in a helicopter crash.

The image depicts Kobe and Gianna with angel wings around them and a quote from the NBA Hall of Famer: “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.”

Lopez, known locally as “Godfitti,” has painted multiple murals honoring Kobe on both sides of the Affordable Insurance building in Spokane’s Emerson-Garfield neighborhood. The other side highlights Kobe’s connection to Michael Jordan, with a split-face portrait blending the two legends and an image of Kobe posting up against Jordan.

Seeing an entire building’s exterior dedicated to a basketball player — especially one who played more than 1,000 miles away — is a testament to why Spokane is known as Hooptown, USA.

Longbotham Building Mural (24 W. Main Ave.)

Surrounded by bars and nightlife, West Main Avenue buzzes in the evenings. But in the daytime, its colorful murals come to life.

One of those artworks stretches across the side of the Longbotham Building. It features a smiling sun and bright flowers, while also naming the building’s tenants: Zola, Café Coco, Coven Hair Studio and Main Ave Tattoo. The mural was designed by Chris Winn, owner of Main Ave. Tattoo. According to an Instagram post, it’s Winn’s first mural, and he said he wanted to “bring some sunshine into everybody’s life that walks and drives by.”

Facing a parking lot, the rest of the wall is covered in public art, bringing together organized design with cool local tags. 

Public art at the end of the street (2028 W. Ninth Ave.)

A friend once recommended this spot to me, and now I visit at least twice a month. They said they’d kill me if I ever revealed it, but they moved to Spain, so I don’t really care anymore. 

The concrete space is littered with drawings, checkered patterns and handwritten messages left by visitors. While chaotic, the different styles come together to create a fun hangout spot.

But what makes the end of Ninth Avenue special goes beyond the art itself. The uneven terrain feels like a skate park that was purposely designed to break bones. I haven’t found anything similar in Spokane. 

Adding to the atmosphere, the area overlooks the Maple Street Bridge — giving it a view that’s just as awesome as the artwork.

Garland Art Alley (713 W. Garland Ave.)

Another great spot for observing outdoor art is the Garland Art Alley. Tucked behind the businesses along the south side of Garland Avenue, this alley has become a beloved canvas in the Garland District.

Artists of all ages and styles have transformed the alley with their work, and new pieces appear often that bring fresh bursts of color to an already vibrant area. 

The alley was historically a target for tagging and graffiti, but with community support, the space has converted into something beautiful.