Entry No. 35 — the St. Louis file — filed under: art
The Walls Off Washington
An immersive outdoor mural museum featuring over 30 massive, thought-provoking public art installations painted on and off the walls of the Grand Center Arts District.
The story
Most people cruise down Washington Avenue focused on traffic, completely oblivious to the fact that an open-air art museum is hiding in the alleyways directly behind the brick facades. Spearheaded under the umbrella of the Kranzberg Arts Foundation, The Walls Off Washington carved out a pocket of the Grand Center Arts District—bounded roughly by Leonard Avenue, Locust Street, and Sam Shepard Boulevard—and handed the blank brick to artists.
Instead of climate-controlled rooms and hushed museum galleries, you get rough-edged concrete corridors and industrial back walls frame-by-frame featuring over 30 massive installations. You'll find legendary pop-surrealist Kenny Scharf's cosmic figures plastered across one surface, then turn a corner into Cbabi Bayoc's vivid mural paying homage to St. Louis's deep blues heritage. It is high-concept public art planted straight into the city's concrete guts.
What it's like
Head to 3333 Washington Avenue to begin your lap. Enter through the Market at The Walls to grab a self-guided tour map so you don't miss tucked-away pieces down the side lanes. Wandering the alleys is self-paced and easygoing, but keep an eye on the schedule: while it's outdoors, official access hours run Wednesday through Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM. Late afternoon light hits the higher brick surfaces best if you're taking photos.
The move: Enter through the Market at The Walls, grab a self-guided tour map, and stroll the alleyways to find Kenny Scharf's cosmic characters and Cbabi Bayoc's tribute to local blues history.
- 📍 Grand Center Arts District
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 3333 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Sophie's Artist Lounge — Sophie's acts as the gateway to the murals, making it an easy spot to pair street art with a craft cocktail and high-fidelity music.
- The MOTO Museum — Located just a block away, you can trade outdoor alley murals for an industrial gallery packed with rare vintage motorcycles.
- Keep Quiet — Finish your walk around the block by sneaking into this cozy speakeasy hidden inside Urban Chestnut's Midtown biergarten.
Good to know
Where do I start the tour?
Begin at 3333 Washington Ave in the Grand Center Arts District, where you can pick up a self-guided map before walking the alleys between Locust St and Sam Shepard Blvd.
What artists can I expect to see?
The murals feature over 30 local, national, and international artists, including pop artist Kenny Scharf and St. Louis illustrator Cbabi Bayoc.
What are the operating hours?
While outdoor, the designated gallery space operates Wednesday through Sunday, typically from 12 PM to 5 PM.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: kranzbergartsfoundation.org · explorestlouis.com · slu.edu · Official site · Instagram
last checked: 2026-07-21