Brenham’s downtown murals are worth the drive

This retro mural reminds me of Nancy Drew. Pam LeBlanc photo

I can’t pass up a good mural, and yesterday’s assignment in Brenham, Texas, showed me that big cities aren’t the only place to find them.

You’ll find Brenham’s downtown murals tucked in alleyways, on the side of liquor stores and restaurants, and on raw brick walls throughout the city’s quaint downtown.

I timed my trip to coincide with a downpour, which made it tricky to see them all, but I drove around for 30 minutes and quickly discovered about 20.

Each fall, the city brings in a featured mural artist during the Texas Arts & Music Festival, and another work of art goes up.

The best of Brenham’s downtown murals

My favorite of Brenham’s downtown murals? A retro-styled painting of a blonde woman and a big red bear, painted by Michael Rodriguez in 2017. The mural is located at 210 S. Park Street.

This Brenham mural depicts blues musician Blind Willie Johnson. Pam LeBlanc photo

Others worth a peek include the portrait of blues musician Blind Willie Johnson by Levi Ponce on Commerce Street, just a few blocks away.

This mural welcomes visitors to downtown Brenham. Pam LeBlanc photo

You can’t miss the big Brenham mural welcoming you to downtown at 216 W. Alamo Street.

Jeff Soto painted this mural in downtown Brenham. Pam LeBlanc photo

Jeff Soto painted a pair of blue owls on the side of a two story building at Baylor and Commerce Streets in just three days.

A quick walk through downtown will take you past this bright mural. Pam LeBlanc photo

You’ll find free parking downtown, within easy walking distance of two other murals at 305 S. Park Street. Love Yourself, by Helena Martin, depicts a cardinal clutching a rose, and Seeing Double, by Chad Eaton, shows a pair of black and white armadillos.

A pair of armadillos adorn the side of a downtown building in Brenham. Pam LeBlanc photo