You may have noticed murals popping up around town over the last several years. Ever wonder about their history?
ArtsArlington has worked with public art curator Cecily Miller to create a collection of murals along the Mass Avenue corridor. The first was Storefront Stories, a temporary wheat paste mural celebrating the stories of local business owners in East Arlington. ArtsArlington’s first two painted murals, City Fox and Native Plants and Pollinators, were part of larger projects focused on the environment.
ArtsArlington then launched the Arlington Mural Project in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington Center for the Arts, creating numerous additional murals throughout local business districts.
In 2026, the] new temporary mural project Go Fish! is underway to celebrate the return of the herring to the Mystic River.
Read more about all the murals of Arlington below and in this Visit Arlington feature article.
Current Arts Arlington Murals
City Fox (2018)
Za Arlington, 138 Mass Ave at Milton Street
Za Arlington, 138 Mass Ave at Milton Street
A celebration of urban wildlife and the local Fox Library, this mural by Somerville artist James Weinberg was created in conjunction with a Town initiative to tackle the climate crisis by improving public bus transit. Learn more.
Native Plants and Pollinators
Marchelle Salone, 820 Mass Ave block
Marchelle Salone, 820 Mass Ave block
Arlington High School students worked with artist Sophy Tuttle to create this mural celebrating native plans and pollinators, which grew to span five storefronts, fulled with flowers, bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Memorial to MK, Arlington Eagle
American Alarm, 297 Broadway at Franklin Street
American Alarm, 297 Broadway at Franklin Street
This mural by Sophy Tuttle, an artist known for her passionate commitment to wildlife, pays tribute to the charismatic Arlington female eagle who died from eating poisoned prey, and the efforts of Save Arlington Wildlife to limit powerful rodenticides.
You Are Loved (2023)
Roast Granola Cafe and Szechuan Dumpling,
1364 Mass Ave, Arlington Heights
Roast Granola Cafe and Szechuan Dumpling,
1364 Mass Ave, Arlington Heights
Painted by artist Alex Cook and over 50 volunteers, a proposal from Ottoson students sparked the idea for this mural, which also honored the tradition of seasonal window painting in Arlington Heights. Learn more.
Transformation Portal (2024)
Helena’s and The Music Studios of Arlington Center,
397 Mass Ave, Arlington Center
Helena’s and The Music Studios of Arlington Center,
397 Mass Ave, Arlington Center
Artist Lena McCarthy created this vibrant portal in Arlington Center. McCarthy is known for her playful mystical imagery that hints at places of spiritual renewal and transformation. The neighboring flower garden and the colors and printed textiles of Helena’s clothing store served as inspiration for the mural’s design.
Untitled (2025)
Kickstand Cafe, 594 Mass Ave at Swan Place
Kickstand Cafe, 594 Mass Ave at Swan Place
Artist Kenji Nakayama transformed the front of this local gathering spot using a rhythmic design reminiscent of improvisational jazz. He worked closely with the cafe owners to choose colors that complemented the inside decor and to develop the abstract design.
Going Places (2025)
Arlington Heights Busway, 1389 Mass Ave
Arlington Heights Busway, 1389 Mass Ave
To revitalize the Heights Bus Depot, ArtsArlington curator Cecily Miller and Chamber of Commerce director Beth Locke collaborated on a vibrant, welcoming palette, and the MBTA’s skilled painting crew did the rest.
Wetlands Mural
Drake Village, Hauser Building, 37 Drake Road
Drake Village, Hauser Building, 37 Drake Road
When the Arlington Housing Authority planned landscape improvements at Drake Village, residents and Arlington High School students came together to envision art for the space. The resulting mosaic panels by artist David Fichter represent area wildlife/
Past Arts Arlington Temporary Murals
Storefront Stories
East Arlington
East Arlington
Celebrating local businesses in East Arlington, this project featured 12 business owners, with works by artists Cedric Douglas, Nilou Moochhala, and Julia Roth that used large-scale portrait photographs and text, applied to buildings using wheat paste. Learn more.
La Passeggiata: Animal Neighbors of Arlington (2018)
Fox Library, East Arlington
Fox Library, East Arlington
Artist Eileen DeRosas created this wheat-paste mural as part of the town’s Bus Rapid Transit pilot project to improve public transportation, particularly along Mass Ave. The work included expressive portraits of local wildlife featured on the exterior of the Fox Library.
Other Community Murals
Station Canopy
Arlington Global Service Station,
334 Mass Ave at Wyman Street
Arlington Global Service Station,
334 Mass Ave at Wyman Street
Owner Abe Salhi and artist Johnny Lapham transformed this service station into a local landmark. The lively pallet of polka dots add an unexpected element to the streetscape.
Reflect, Protect, Restore (2024)
Garage facing Walgreen’s parking lot,
324 Mass Ave
Garage facing Walgreen’s parking lot,
324 Mass Ave
Extinction Rebellion (XR), an organization that works to demand action on the climate crisis, brought together over 50 people to complete this mural promoting an important message.
Marathon Mural (2014)
Namaste Spice, 159 Mass Ave at Marathon Street
Namaste Spice, 159 Mass Ave at Marathon Street
Conceived by resident Lauren Hefferon and inspired by the Boston Strong Movement, this mural was painted by artist Michael Cucurullo, Hefferon, and Hardy School students.