Mississippi’s Vibrant Mural Landscape: From Jackson to Starkville
Jackson, Mississippi’s capital, boasts a thriving public‑art scene that greets every visitor. One of the first murals to greet travelers entering the city from I‑55 is situated at the corner of Pearl and State Streets in downtown Jackson.
Deep in the Farish Street Historic District stands a tribute to novelist Richard Wright. The mural showcases a haiku written by Wright himself and a striking portrait of the Mississippi author. It is located on the east façade of the Smith Robertson Museum & Cultural Center—formerly the Smith Robertson School where Wright studied—just off High Street.
The Mississippi Delta is a rich source of artistic expression. Visitors to its rural towns encounter striking works in surprising spots. In Belzoni, the “Catfish on Parade” collection features 42 fiberglass catfish—each uniquely painted—lined up outside local storefronts.
At Railroad Blues Park in Tutwiler, a series of murals honors the region’s musical heritage, including a homage to blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson.
These murals celebrate the birthplace of blues music. Along the park’s rails and historic brickwork, scenes depict Tutwiler’s railroad station—the site where W.C. Handy first heard the blues in 1895.
In Hattiesburg, the public‑art trail winds along Hardy Street, stretching from downtown to the University of Southern Mississippi campus. Utility boxes, walls, and other structures across the city feature murals, many of which celebrate the area’s academic heritage. The locations are charted on the city’s Public Art Trail map.
Heidi Pitre’s “Suffarage” mural, situated near Hardy and McLeod streets, commemorates the centennial of the 19th Amendment. The artwork lists the names of women who have served in public office throughout Greater Hattiesburg.
Near Oxford Square, the “Greetings from Oxford” mural celebrates the city’s literary and historical heritage, featuring iconic landmarks. It invites visitors to explore Oxford’s rich past and vibrant present.
Starkville’s “Starkvegas” mural, located just past Russell and Mill Streets, embraces the town’s playful nickname. The sign showcases local landmarks and features Bully, the mascot of Mississippi State University.
At University Drive and Maxwell Street, a vibrant street‑painted mural displays a Choctaw symbol of happiness. It adorns Starkville’s Cotton District—an area once home to a cotton mill and its workers—now a lively shopping and residential hub.
