From the transformative Paint on Port (POP) Mural Program to landmark sculptures framed by the lake breeze, here is a guide to exploring Port Washington’s public art scene on foot.
Paint on Port (POP) Murals
Spearheaded by Port Washington Main Street, the Paint on Port (POP) Mural Program set out to energize alleyways, brick facades, and public paths across the city.
School children, community elders, and local adults contributed their own brushstrokes to major pieces, turning neighborhood walls into living archives of shared heritage.
4 Must-See Murals Along the Trail
1. Midwest Mural Mosaic (308 N. Franklin St.)
Installed along the exterior of Twisted Willow restaurant, this colorful piece includes over 1,500 individual mini paintings working together to depict a beautiful tree amid rolling Midwestern farmland. Port Washington was chosen among the 11 Midwestern states to be home to this artwork, part of a broader global art project by Canadian organization Mural Mosaic.
2. Pages of Port Washington (125 W. Grand Ave.)
Led by artist Wendy Braam, this mural depicts floating pages showing Port Washington history flying above the lush natural hills of the region. Local artists and many community members from school-age to 100 years worked together to create the individual page murals. The mural also includes sponsored custom-painted leaves featuring ancestral surnames.
3. Roots & Reflections (407 E. Jackson St.)
Designed by Milwaukee artist John Kowalczyk, this multimedia piece weaves spray paint, acrylic, and metal art to trace the city's manufacturing and agricultural roots—including the Gilson family foundry and iconic regional octagonal barns.
4. Tribute to Port Washington’s Maritime History (Jackson St.)
Created by artist James Barany and spanning the Jackson Street retaining wall on the north end of downtown, this expansive visual narrative honors the indigenous inhabitants, sailors, and lake fishermen who maneuvered the area waterways throughout history. It is a timeline of Port Washington's maritime history.
Use the digital Mural Walk map from the website, or stop at the Visitor Center for a printed brochure map before heading out on your art-venture!
"The Fisherman" by Andrew Schumann in Rotary Park
Sculptures of Fire, Stone, and Steel
Complementing the murals are tactile public sculptures strategically placed along the waterfront, pedestrian plazas, and trailheads.
Let our sculptures guide your exploration, adding new dimension to the POP murals.
Learn more about the sculptures, their stories, and their artists on the Public Art page of the website.
1. The Gathering (Heart of the Harbor Plaza)
Towering 12 feet high along the Ozaukee Interurban Trail connector, this brass sculpture created by artist Jesse Meyer serves as both an aesthetic centerpiece and a community hearth.
2. I Heart PW (Coal Dock Park)
Set against a backdrop of Lake Michigan's deep blues and the minimalist Art Deco pierhead lighthouse design, this sculpture provides the perfect photo backdrop along your stroll through Coal Dock Park. Its bold red heart and crisp lettering make it one of the town's most beloved photo stops for visitors and returning locals alike.
3. The Fisherman (Rotary Park)
Positioned near the marina docks, Andrew Schumann’s bronze statue pays homage to generations of commercial and sport fishermen. Encircling the bronze figure are eight interpretive panels detailing historic fleet names, notable rescue accounts, and the evolving maritime ecosystem of the Great Lakes.
4. The Fifth Day (Harborview Corner)
Located at the bustling intersection of East Grand Avenue and North Franklin Street, this sculpture created by then Port Washington High School student Renate Commare, depicts birds breaking out of the globe cage.
Tips for Planning Your Walking Art Tour
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Start at Heart of the Harbor: Park downtown or hop off the Interurban Trail at Franklin Street. Grab a coffee from a local coffee shop before meandering east toward the water.
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Combine with Gallery Stops: Check out Gallery 224, Art Perspective Gallery, or The Purple Turtle Artisan Collective to see works from regional painters, printmakers, and ceramicists who often participate in the city's annual Port Festival of the Arts.
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Catch Golden Hour: Murals along Franklin Street and the waterfront sculptures catch warm Lake Michigan dawn and late-afternoon sun, making late day the ideal time for photography.