Walking in downtown Manhattan sure is more colorful these days thanks to local artists and the efforts of those at Incite MHK! Some of the murals you can enjoy are commissioned by local businesses and others are funded by grants and donations through Incite MHK. Incite MHK works to bring art to the public areas of Manhattan. Their current three projects are featured below as well as additional murals throughout the community! Some of the newer murals are sprinkled into our downtown area. This amazing goldfish swimming over the sunflower is located in the alley next to The Chef Cafe'. The mural is titled, "Begining from an End" and was painted by Joseph Renda Jr. While The Kitty Castle, SUP!, and RBG are across the street and down the alley, this is the first of I hope many lining the other in "Mural Alley." The O.G. is the mural of Notorious RBG! The Ruth Bader Ginsburg Mural was originally painted shortly after her passing and was painted by a local artist and an owner of ACME Local, Taylor Carr. This Mural was a collaboration with Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice and Incite MHK to commemorate such an amazing woman and is all about bringing people together much like all those who volunteered to make this mural come to life in a weekend! The Kitty Castle, I like to think of is Willie the Wildcats playhouse! This is also located across the street from The Chef Cafe' and was made possible by a donation from the Ward and Brenda Morgan Community Fund. This mural was completed by an LA-based artist, Sick Fisher. The third and final Mural located across from The Chef Cafe and commissioned by Incite MHK is SUP! SUP was completed in April 2021 by KCMO-based muralist JT Daniels. Again, Ward and Brenda Morgan Community Fund stepped in to make this mural possible. The most recent addition in Mural Alley, this mural pays homage to Henry Wareham and Fort Riley Big Red 1! Painted by a local artist and owner of Flight Crew Coffee, this mural is so much fun and reminiscent of the days of roller skating and the rink that Mr. Warham dreamed of in town!Manhattan, KS has some amazing new murals popping up all over town. The Murals of Manhattan, KS not only brighten our community, but these murals encourage conversation, and provide great backdrops for photos with our family and friends!
Directly across from AJ's New York Pizzeria, located high up on The Winged Lion and 502 Media building is the bright and cheery, "Make Lemonade" sign. Every time I drive by and look up at the sign it reminds me that when life gives you lemons, "Make Lemonade!" While I have no confirmation that is the meaning behind it, it works for me!
After you have taken in the Mural art across from The Chef, head down Poyntz to Brown's Shoe Fit and AJ's Pizzeria. On the East facing wall overlooking AJ's Pizzeria patio is the massive mural! "Anotações" was completed in 2019, this piece is one that by sheer size leaves you in awe! This mural was the kick-off event for Incite MHK. It was made possible through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation’s Deihl Community Grants Program. The duo that painted this mural hail from Brazil, Bicicleta Sem Freio.
The burning of the prairie happens every year in Kansas and I am not sure there has ever been a better-timed mural in Manhattan, KS! Night Fires in Post Rock Country was commissioned by Greater Manhattan Community Foundation with in-kind support from BHS Construction, Inc. This mural is located on the Charlson and Wilson Bonded Abstracters building, located on the alley side of 111 North 4th Street, this mural definitely makes a statement to those driving by. I went at dusk and was absolutely beautiful, it reminded me of many days out burning with my family and helping friends take care of their land.
One of my favorite places, Manhattan Brewing Co., has added some wall art to its decor as well. Sick Fisher painted this whimsical sleeping dragon on the inside of the Brewing Co and then a fun pattern on their delivery doors in the back! Make sure to stop by Manhattan Brewing Co. to enjoy one of their amazing crafted libations, and stay to enjoy the fun atmosphere, amazing events, and all the other great stuff happening there.
The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce did it big when they unveiled the mural gracing the West side of their downtown building! When you think of Manhattan, KS it is impossible to not think of all of these landmarks. Within this mural is our airport code, Little Apple Bikes, BSFS, Jonny Kaw, The Big Red One, The Ville', and more. It is truly a work of art that I could sit in front of each section and remember a completely different time in my life here in Manhattan, KS! Painted by local artists Taylor Carr and Jess Kerr, you can find more of their work on their Instagram!
Heading out of Aggieville and past the City Park, hang a right on Poyntz and take yourself straight to the Manhattan Arts Center! Located on the side of their building is a cheery mural of Sunflowers and Welcome to Manhattan! I wonder what is said more in this town, "Welcome to Manhattan" or "Welcome to K-State?"
The Manhattan Arts Center has stepped up with this amazing mural on the West side of the building. This dramatic mural, with the black background and bold colors this mural is awesome!
The mural is located on the opposite side of the arts center building located adjacent to the Manhattan Arts Center on Poyntz!
Located on Poytnz Ave., the Addair Law firm offices have a new mural by Denise Duong. This mural is easily seen from the road, but one that is much better appreciated if you take the time to park and stand in front of it to truly take it in.
Some of the murals in Manhattan, KS are commissioned by local businesses and others are funded by grants and donations through Incite MHK. Incite MHK works to bring art to the public areas of Manhattan.
Now, on to the 'Ville! Aggieville has also gotten in on the fun with murals along a couple of their buildings as well. First stop in Aggieville, the sidewalk between Jimmy Johns and O'Malley's Alley. The bright green wall is painted with the phrase "I love you little apple.” It has become a hotspot for those spending time in Aggieville for a quick photo op. No surprise, this mural lends itself to the feeling of those living here and of course the city's nickname, The Little Apple®.
Located in Aggieville at Social House, this mural is so quintessential Manhattan! When you take the time to look at these "angel wings" you see the sunflowers with the KSU Powercat head and the Varsity Donuts on the other. The two axes and the wheat that make the top of the wings then at the bottom we have Willie the Wildcat, Aggieville lamp post, and of course an apple!
Next up is everyone's favorite Aggieville hotspot, Taco Lucha. The mural represents the restaurant in so many ways, but most of all with the wrestlers in their Luchador masks. My favorite part though is the championship belt! This mural was completed in 2020 by a local artist, Phyllis Pease. Head down to the entrance and see the mural as you round the corner on Moro and 11th Street.
The mural behind Orange Sky Yoga and Public Hall is painted by Taylor Carr. It is quickly becoming another great photo op for those spending time in Aggieville. The cheery colors are perfect to brighten up your day and remind you to, "Smile! You're in Manhattan!"
The final mural in Aggieville is located on the side of Little Apple Art Supply on N 11 Street and features a mural byEnrico Isamu Oyama. While the Little Apple Art Supply is no longer, Enrico's mural is a lasting legacy.
Located at 611 N 11th St., right outside of Aggieville this new mural definitely brightens up the building. This amazing mural by Kate Lewis has so many pieces to it. I think you could look at it for hours and see something new. I love how they framed the window above and used paint to create such depth to the mural.
Located near the Riley County Courthouse is the "Rise and Shine" mural! The "Rise and Shine" mural was designed and painted by local Manhattanite Collin Williamson in August of 2020. This caricature mural is whimsical and all so true for most dog owners' mornings! You will find this mural to the North of the Riley County Courthouse and on the Southside of a private structure in the alley.
Manhattan Running Company! For those not familiar with this amazing store, just hop on Seth Childs, to Anderson, and then on Garden Way. The mural is on the Westside of the Manhattan Running Company building. It depicts two runners on the yellow brick road, heading towards the city with the sun/apple on the horizon. Painted by Hannah Merle in 2016, this mural can also be easily seen while driving on Seth Childs!
Driving on Seth Childs you see the mural on the back of the Dillon's in Westloop! This mural was painted by Jeff Zimmerman and made possible by Brixmor Property Management, the company that manages Westloop. The mural is titled, "Where You At," and is painted to convey a theme of Unity in its design.
New mural at A and H Farms, welcoming you to MHK!
As you stop by to enjoy these murals, make sure to tag The Little Apple Life and InciteMHK in your photos so we can see all the fun.
Also, if you find a new one, let me know. Amazing murals seem to be going up every week, it is fantastic!! I love MHK!!
