Street Art in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
The last thing I was expecting to find was street art in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Vitoria’s street art, however, wasn’t in some up-and-coming neighborhood, or found in hidden alleyways, as it always seems to be. It’s out front-and-center, colorful murals splashed around the historic old quarter, making a sharp contrast with the centuries-old buildings surrounding it.
It’s not done by hipsters following in the tracks of street artists like Banksy either. It’s a collective effort by residents of Vitoria that provides a medium for artists to get involved in beautifying their city. They call themselves the IMVG (Itinerario Muralístico Vitoria-Gasteiz) and hold workshops in the summertime for volunteers who want to participate in the process from brainstorm to finished product; residents can even suggest a wall they think would make a great place for a street mural!
Artists Brought Together to Beautify the City
The team is made up of a patchwork of individuals; young university students, established local artists and even an American muralist who has traveled around the world creating similar large-scale mural projects. This is what she had to say about her experience (taken from the IMVG website):
“For more than ten years, I have used my art as a vehicle to represent people and communities whose histories are often lost or unheard, to recreate the spirit of those communities; to tell their stories using richly crafted and emotive imagery; to claim and transform “blighted” spaces into visual affirmation of a communities’ stories; and to create dialogue around some of the most profound issues communities and individuals may face.”
-Michelle Angela Ortiz
I also loved what art student Nadia Beltrán de Lubiano had to say about the project:
“It’s an incredible experience after months or even years have passed since having been way up on a scaffold with people who you make lifelong bonds with, to then see the murals and to realize that, there floating on the wall is where you learned, you grew, doing the thing that you like most of all: dreaming with colors.”
-Nadia Beltrán de Lubiano
I love seeing creativity and community coming together–do you think these street art murals beautify Vitoria as intended?
These are great, and remind me of when I lived in Santiago de Chile in the Bellavista neighborhood. Going to have to get over to Vitoria to see them some day. Currently living in Cantabria, which seems to limit its wall paintings to what you find in caves.
Tom Bartel recently posted…Socks on the Line, Oporto, Portugal
Cave paintings…the original street art!
Really love street art. The best examples in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria are to be found along the Paseo de Canteras. As you can see here: http://matthewhirtes.com/paseo-de-canteras/
I love that cactus-pipe–so clever!
Cassandra recently posted…Alcalá Night Shots
Isn’t that darling?!
I’m a big sucker for street art! These murals are amazing – I love the colors! And that pipe cactus is simply adorable

Julika recently posted…Picturesque Monday: The Ruins of Rome
Looooove! These pictures are gorgeous. I’m such a huge fan of street art.
Andi recently posted…Asheville, North Carolina: Biltmore Estate In Photos (Part 2)
Wow, these are amazing! It definitely seems like they would add vibrancy to a neighborhood. I love the cactus pipe!

Sara recently posted…Intestines: It’s What’s For Dinner!
It was strange to see it in the historic part of the city (I can’t imagine how old the buildings are on which these murals exist!) but I really thought it made Vitoria have something special and unique.
I absolutely love these, I’m such a fan of street art. And yes, I really do think these murals beautify Vitoria!

Ashley of Ashley Abroad recently posted…My Local Eats: New York
I think they beautify the city too! They definitely make Vitoria unique.
im such a sucker for some good street art. it looks so beautiful in vitoria…and done in a super tasteful manner.

Megan recently posted…Photo Essay: The Magnificent Churches of Daugavpils
I love the story behind the murals in Vitoria..it’s a labor of love!