More than 5,300 square feet of new public art will celebrate Spokane’s history, landmarks and community character
Spokane, WASH. (August 26, 2026) – Downtown Spokane is about to be a little more Lilac. A new mural is underway along the walls of the downtown alley between Post Street and Lincoln Street, one block south of River Park Square.
Spanning more than 5,300 square feet and designed and painted by Spokane artists Stacie Boyer and Jennifer Batey, the large-scale work will be among the largest murals in downtown Spokane. The mural adds to the growing collection of public art transforming downtown alleys and gathering spaces spurred by investment in alley activations by the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP) and City of Spokane.
“Public art gives us an opportunity to make downtown more welcoming while celebrating the people and stories that make Spokane unique,” said Spokane City Councilmember Zack Zappone. “Murals, lighting and activation improves the pedestrian experience for residents and visitors while creating opportunities to showcase the talent of accomplished hometown artists.”
The new mural celebrates the people, places, events and traditions that have shaped the Lilac City over the past century. The colorful design showcases recognizable Spokane landmarks and moments while highlighting the distinctive character and history of downtown.
“Public art is more than an investment in how downtown looks, it’s an investment in growing economic activity through enhanced experiences that encourage our community to explore downtown,” said Emilie Cameron, President & CEO of the DSP. “We’re excited to continue transforming overlooked spaces into places that invite people to explore, linger and connect with our city. These are the kinds of investments that strengthen our sense of place, support nearby businesses and give people another reason to spend time downtown.”
The project is part of an ongoing effort by the DSP to activate underutilized alley spaces through public art, lighting, enhanced maintenance and other placemaking improvements. With support from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding provided by the City of Spokane, the DSP has commissioned the installation of overhead lighting and murals in alleys adjacent to Post Street, Howard Street in the Parkade Plaza, Stevens Street behind Main Avenue, and Vintage Alley along Railroad Alley near Madison and Jefferson Streets. These projects build on the growing network of murals found throughout downtown on viaducts, private properties and other public spaces.
Together, mixed-media artist Stacie Boyer and muralist Jennifer Batey bring decades of experience in public art, illustration and large-scale mural work to the project. Boyer is known for vibrant, surreal and whimsical work incorporating elements of nature and a variety of media. Her public art can be found throughout the region, including her mural, We All Belong, on the Avista Metro building in downtown Spokane. Batey has spent more than 30 years creating murals and commissioned artwork throughout the Pacific Northwest, including more than 60 murals created through a 20-year partnership with a pediatric medical group.
The artists have collaborated on previous projects and bring complementary styles and experience to their work. For this mural, Boyer and Batey are combining their talents to create a large-scale piece that celebrates Spokane’s history and character while creating an engaging experience for residents, workers and visitors.
The public can watch the artists work on the Lilac mural over the next four weeks, with completion expected on or near mid-September. A celebration of downtown’s new 2026 murals will take place during First Friday Art Walk festivities on October 3 in partnership with Spokane Arts. The event will highlight the artists and new works while inviting the community to embark on a self-guided tour to explore downtown’s growing public art collection.