In 2015, the Lincoln Park business corridors consisted mainly of light manufacturing, a few long-time businesses, a couple of new kids on the block business-wise and a whole lot of empty storefronts. The walkable infrastructure constructed in the 1980’s was still in place, but bench seats were splintering, planters were cracking and weedy, tree grates were empty, and the garbage cans faded and rusty. The small park area at the corner of Superior Street and 19th Avenue West had broken light bollards, an overgrown daylily bed, dark corners, and ash trees that had contracted Emerald Ash Borer. Despite the condition of the public infrastructure, there was beginning to be a lot of energy and excitement about the future direction of Lincoln Park businesses and what the commercial corridors could look like. 

Today, the area that has come to be known as the Lincoln Park Craft District is full of life with new businesses and investment in buildings that had once been written off as “not worth it”.  And amid this change, an art movement has been quietly taking place. Bare walls and struggling streetscapes are being replaced with murals of all kinds, influencing folks who visit our neighborhood as well as the interiors and façades of the businesses that now call Lincoln Park home.

The Lincoln Park murals have fast become a point of interest for visitors to and residents of Duluth. With the rapid changes in this area, one of the murals has already been painted over and another one on a building façade was demolished in 2022. The history in the making is already being erased and Main Street Lincoln Park recognizes the need to record this unique moment in the history of our neighborhood. It is the intent of Main Street Lincoln Park’s Lincoln Park Art Walk project to gather the stories of how each of the murals came to be, what and who are behind each of the pieces, and share it with you.  

Below, you will find a timeline of the mural history. Clicking on the links below each mural photo will take you to  the story surrounding that piece. Over time, it is the goal of the Lincoln Park Art Walk Project to also include a self-guided walking tour. If you wish to support this effort and/or contribute to the next public art project or the work of Main Street Lincoln Park, you can do so here.

Thank you to the following people and organizations who have provided the information, assistance, and financial support needed to make this project a reality.  Your generosity with your time, talents, and resources are deeply appreciated: