More Than Murals: The People Who Bring My Street Art Tour to Life

When people ask why I started Atlanta Street Art Tours, I usually start with the murals—the color, the messages, the magic of walking through a city that speaks through its walls. But if I’m being honest, what keeps me going isn’t just the art. It’s the people. The connection.

This tour was never just mine—it’s been shaped by every conversation, every collaboration, every kind gesture from someone who saw the vision before it was fully formed.

I remember first reaching out to Mary, the owner of Nashville Mural Tours. She was one of the first people to make this idea feel real. I didn’t know her personally, but I was inspired by what she built after going on her tour, and when I reached out, she responded with openness and guidance. That early encouragement lit the first match.

From there, I contacted Mr. Art Ruddick to ask permission to use his website, which contains detailed mural maps across Atlanta. He graciously allowed me to build on what he had already created, and that became one of the cornerstones of how I began shaping the routes.

I even reached out to Travis Love to ask if he’d be willing to contribute a piece of art that could be turned into a paper picture frame for tour souvenirs. We had a conversation, but the project didn’t quite come to life—maybe there was some miscommunication, or maybe the timing just wasn’t right. Still, it was another brick in the foundation of what I was trying to build.

One of the moments that made me feel truly connected to the art itself was discovering Corey Barksdale’s work on my route. I had been gifted some of his prints years earlier and they hung in my home. So stumbling across his murals out in the wild wasn’t just exciting—it felt personal. Like the universe was nudging me, saying, You’re on the right track.

I’ve also had the privilege of meeting muralists like Oskiade, Matt Evans, and Von Marcus while they were painting. There’s something sacred about watching art come to life right in front of you, something grounding in shaking the hands of the people who are shaping the city’s visual narrative.

One of the biggest full-circle moments was when Alex Miller actually came on one of my tours. I can’t describe how surreal that was—to walk a route I curated, only to find myself learning just as much from someone in the group. That energy, that exchange, is exactly what I hope others feel when they join.

And then there was the day I was contacted by WABE City Lights with Lois Reitzes. I didn’t pitch them. I didn’t even know I was on their radar. But they wanted to feature the tour—and me. That interview was a moment of affirmation I never saw coming.

All of these people—whether we exchanged a single message or shared a full conversation—have played a role in building this tour. Their presence, their belief, their contributions (spoken and unspoken) are part of every step we take on the route.

So no, it’s not just about murals. It never was. It’s about how art creates connection. How it opens the door for strangers to collaborate, for communities to form, and for voices—painted, spoken, and felt—to be heard.

These connections are the heartbeat of Atlanta Street Art Tours. They’re what give me the energy to keep going, especially during the slow seasons, the transitions, and the times when I’m not sure what’s next.

And if you’ve been part of this journey—thank you. Whether you helped shape the route, came on a tour, or simply believed in the idea—I carry that with me, every time I lace up my shoes and hit the pavement.

Art: @vonmarcus