Pittsburgh is renowned for our museums, but you don’t need to visit one to see stunning art created by talented Pittsburghers. Take a walk through the North Side — a neighborhood that feels like it has a new mural everywhere you turn — and you’ll see what we mean.
So grab a pair of walking shoes and find a parking spot or hop on the bus (or the T) and get ready to find some of NEXT’s favorite murals in the city. Bonus points if you stop at any of the numerous local coffee shops along the way.
The Martin Luther King Jr. mural at Allegheny Alliance Church (250 E. Ohio St.), painted by Kyle Holbrook in spring 2024 embodies MLK not only in its representation of justice, but biblically as well. A painted Bible verse reads, “Let justice roll on like a river, righteous like a never-failing stream” — Amos 5:24. On the other side of the building, Holbrook painted a mural with the church’s mission, reading, “Following Jesus in Diverse Community.”
Randy Gilson, founder and owner of Randyland, designed and painted all the murals on the property 1501 Arch St., in January 1995. He turned his home and the surrounding area into an open-air gallery filled with loud murals and repurposed items made with imaginative touches. This powerhouse destination is just down the street from the Mattress Factory Contemporary Art Museum.
“Life in Motion” at 511 Alpine Ave., was painted by Leslie Ansley and Monique Luck in September 2003. Ansley and Luck partnered with Larry and Linda West, the then-Central Northside Neighborhood Council (now called Allegheny City Central Association), Alpine Gardens Planning Committee and the Mattress Factory on the project. It can be found nestled in an alley-like trail between two homes leading to a small community park near the Mattress Factory. The design was funded by The Sprout Fund and the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation.
Artist Camerin “Camo” Nesbit created and painted this piece on homegrown designer John Geiger, a well-known entrepreneur, designer and sneaker innovator in June 2022. The mural at 1534 Brighton Road depicts Geiger standing in front of one of the Sister Bridges with his name, initials, multiple custom sneakers and a Pirates logo, all celebrating what he does. Many of Geiger’s designs feature black and gold or are collaborations with Pittsburgh sports teams.
The Deutschtown Mural Project “Picture Yourself Here” located on the side of Allegheny City Brewing Co., 510 E. Ohio St., is a community-based, volunteer-created mural celebrating the Historic Deutschtown Neighborhood. Volunteers Amanda Loch, Ron Catchpole, Jeannie, Larry and Olivia Dieker and Kadin Griffin painted it with support from a One Northside Community Grant Fund from the Buhl Foundation and the Sprout Fund, along with the efforts of the East Allegheny Community Council.
Mislav Lešić (aka Lord Chardak) painted the piece at The Croatian Hall Javor (805 East St.) in April 2025 as a dedication to 120 years of Croatians in Pittsburgh. It features the first settlers of the area from St. John Church. The vibrant and colorful work can be found across from the Government Center on East Street.
At 507 E. Ohio St., the mural of Andy Warhol was created by Ashley Hodder in July 2023. The Warhol Museum documented the work as a part of its effort to transform the eastern North Shore into the Pop District.
The bold and beautiful “Rosie the Riveter” mural, also by Ashley Hodder, can be found on the corner of East Ohio and James streets. Painted in November 2023, Rosie represents the women who worked in shipyards and factories producing war supplies and munitions during World War II. As male workers joined the military, women often had to step into new roles. “Rosie the Riveter” then became a symbol of second-wave feminism. Find the mural between EYV Restaurant and The Farmer’s Daughters Flowers.
Though Fat Cat at 520 E. Ohio St. is no longer open — at least not as Fat Cat — the mural painted by Jerome “Chu” Charles in July 2023 remains. One of the former restaurant’s owner’s “fat cats” inspired this mural and gave the business its name. Find it on the left exterior of the building on the way back to the Northside Farmers Market.
The “Welcome to Deutschtown” mural at 401 E. Ohio St. was crafted by David Lee Edwards as a gateway into the historic Deutschtown neighborhood. Art and cultural development are important facets of Deutschtown, as locals will tell you. With a faux stained glass window look, this art piece represents the neighborhood’s architecture, history and cultural collaborations.
The murals around S & S Trophy Inc. located at 720 James St. were painted in January 2020 by Jeremy Raymer. The art wraps around the side and back of the building, continuing in an alley neighboring Fig & Ash Fire Kitchen.
Find them on the map…