Murals: Painting on Walls

Long before museums existed, people were already painting on walls. Today, huge paintings called murals still cover the sides of buildings in many cities. Unlike art hidden inside a gallery, a mural is free for everyone to see as they walk down the street. Some murals celebrate the history of a neighborhood, while others send a strong message about peace or nature. Creating one is hard work: an artist may spend weeks on a ladder under the hot sun. When the wall is finished, a grey, boring street can suddenly feel alive and full of color. In this way, ordinary walls become a gift to the whole community.