5 Williamsburg Murals You Don’t Want to Miss

Williamsburg is home to creatives, artists, and musicians alike. There is no shortage of culture and art while strolling through the streets of this neighborhood, catering to all tastes and personalities. Tourists and New Yorkers flock to Williamsburg not only for their incredible midtown Manhattan views but also for their colorful, Instagram-worthy backdrops.

Brooklyn Mural at Sun and Air –

artist unknown, 788 Driggs Ave.

This mural is a must for those who are visiting the city, as well as for those of us Brooklynites that call this beloved borough “home.” (There is nothing quite like hometown pride, right?)

A clean yet modern wall piece, this mural is perfectly simplistic, featuring natural hues of black, brown, and cream, with pops of salmon pink. The mural’s block lettering is uncomplicated and pleasing to the eye. This color scheme is perfect for any season – winter, spring, summer, or fall, and would make a great addition to anyone’s Instagram feed.

While the mural alone is worth the trip, consider the bonus of its location. Conveniently painted right next to the Sun and Air bike shop, you can grab a cold brew at their coffee shop, followed by renting a bike for an adventure across the Williamsburg Bridge – in which the entrance is conveniently located a few blocks over.

Donut and Heart Mural – Jason Naylor, 265-273 Bedford Ave.

Jason Naylor, a local Brooklyn artist, is hard at work spreading the message of love, joy, peace, and light through his colorful murals. Featuring bright, neon hues, deep blacks, and playful, heart-warming art, this mural will make anyone smile.

This mural is a perfect photo-op for anyone, from creative to lover of good things. Not only will you be inspired to spread joy, but you will leave feeling seen and accepted. (That’s the power of kindness and bright light!)

Mural of a Child – Jorit Agoch, 165 North Tenth St. at Bedford and Driggs Ave

Upon first glance, this mural looks more like a photograph than a painting.

Jorit Agoch, a hyper-realistic muralist from Italy, leaves his creative mark specializing in human portraits. On a deeper level, Agoch is known to mark his portraits with two red stripes or scars to reference an ancient African ritual, which symbolizes transitioning from childhood to adulthood, something all humanity experiences regardless of race, religion, social class, or gender.

This specific mural features a ten-year-old boy named Camilo, whose father is of Italian descent and his mother of Jamaican heritage. Jorit painted this piece to enlighten humanity that, just like this boy, regardless of your unique ethnic background, you can still bring oneness and unity to the world.

False Prophets – BKFOXX and JMZ Walls, 1 Boerum Place

Another awe-inspiring piece where real-life meets artwork, this realist mural speaks to the human heart and desire for truth.

This mural was created by Brooklyn local artist BKFOX, in collaboration with Bushwick Collective, JMZ Walls. Spray-painted freehand, with a vision and a metaphor in mind, this piece touches the very core of the human experience in searching for authentic truth.

Inspired by biblical principles found in Matthew 24:24 and 2 Timothy 4:3, BKFOXX paints a picture of the serious damage caused by deceiving others with our words, actions, and other abuses within religion. This mural encourages us to care for one another with genuine and truth and love so that we may not lead others astray.

This piece of art is a must-see and a great reminder that we should care for one another in word and deed.

You can find this mural right outside the Broadway subway station on the G line.

The Mona Lisa of Williamsburg – Colossal Media and Steven Paul, Broadway and Bedford Ave.

Did you know that this well-known mural was birthed out of a simple submission to the 2014 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards? Steven Paul, a then high school senior from Brooklyn, submitted his photograph, entitled “Lost Time,” along with 255,000 other hopefuls. Paul won a gold medal for his submission and was honored at Carnegie Hall.

Colossal Media was so inspired by this story that they teamed up with Scholastic to commend Paul’s photograph by painting it on a four-story building in Williamsburg.

Framed perfectly by the Williamsburg Bridge and the Freedom Tower in the distance, this street art is one to experience. With beautiful black, white, and gray hues, and a thought-provoking glance, this stunning piece has been nicknamed “The Mona Lisa of Williamsburg.”

The beauty of living or visiting a culturally rich neighborhood, such as Williamsburg, reminds New Yorkers that we don’t have to fly to France for authentically inspired art pieces. Instead, all we have to do is leave our apartment.