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Downtown San Angelo skyline with its historic towers
Public art

Art in Uncommon Places

Murals and sculpture by local artists in the alleys, walls and corners of downtown San Angelo.

Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab)

About Art in Uncommon Places

Art in Uncommon Places is a local nonprofit that puts the work of San Angelo artists in unexpected spots around town: murals on back walls, painted alleys and sculptures where you might not expect them. It's a big part of why the city's art scene spills out of the galleries and onto the street.

Paintbrush Alley

The group's best-known project is Paintbrush Alley, a downtown alley transformed with colorful murals and completed in 2019. It became one of the most photographed spots in town and won statewide recognition as a public art project.

The project helped spark a wave of new murals across San Angelo and is part of why the city was named the Visual Arts Capital of Texas.

Make it a walk

Combine the murals with the Concho River Walk, the Museum of Fine Arts and downtown's galleries for an easy art-themed afternoon on foot.

Plan your visit

  • Start downtown and explore on foot; many pieces are in alleys and on side walls.
  • Go in the morning or late afternoon for the best light for photos.
  • Visit artinuncommonplaces.com to learn more about the artists and projects.