Block-Long Mural Project Focus on the Roots of Blues in Deep Ellum, Dallas

Two artistic mediums with deep traditions in the neighborhood converge in Deep Ellum.

1 minute read

August 10, 2021, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Dallas, Texas

D Guest Smith / Shutterstock

A block of the Deep Ellum neighborhood in Dallas has been devoted to murals depicting the area's blues history, according to an article by Jeremy Hallock.

"The 16-foot-high murals, 10 of which make up the project, color the southern facade of The Stack building along Clover St.," writes Hallock.

"Freddie King and T-Bone Walker appear in the murals, along with more obscure musicians like Zuzu Bollin and Andrew 'Jr. Boy' Jones. Lightin’ Hopkins is shown with an excerpt of the sheet music for the American traditional song 'Deep Elem Blues,' which has been covered by those including Jerry Lee Lewis, Les Paul and the Grateful Dead."

Deep Ellum is a hot bed of muraling in Dallas, according to the article, but the new project provides unprecedented focus on the area's legacy as a "launching pad" for blues musicians.

"The project was funded by the real estate group behind The Stack building, organized by the Deep Ellum Foundation and curated by the artist spouses Cathryn and Dan Colcer," according to the article.

Monday, August 9, 2021 in The Dallas Morning News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Green electric Volkswagen van against a beach backdrop.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

March 3, 2025 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

View of mountains with large shrubs in foreground in Altadena, California.

Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire

In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.

March 9 - Pasadena NOw

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9 - Axios

Close-up of row of electric cars plugged into chargers at outdoor station.

Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives

A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.

March 9 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation