If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic on I-83, taken a stroll through Little Italy, or hit up a happy hour in Federal Hill, you’ve seen the work of muralist Marshall Adams, 31, a Baltimore native whose art can be found in more than 300 locations—and counting—across the region.
The smokestack at Union Craft Brewing visible from 83? That’s him. The painted scene at Pratt and High streets depicting Little Italy’s outdoor film series? Adams again. And the murals at popular watering holes like Blue Agave and Hightopps Backstage Grille? Yep, still him.
For Adams, whose clients range from Baltimore City to businesses and homeowners, creating large-scale murals is an unexpected but very welcome career. “I was studying photography in Salisbury and replied to an opportunity to paint a mural at a children’s bookstore. I was under-qualified, but they took a risk,” he explains. “It was a great success, and when they later relocated, they flew me out from California to paint their new location. I’ve been painting murals ever since.”
Adams’s latest project—at Ropewalk Tavern’s expansive Ocean City location—will be unveiled this month, and he’s also working toward a gallery show of studio works. But don’t worry: “I’ll always love creating murals,” he says.
Online Exclusive! See more of Marshall Adams’ murals that are displayed around town.
This mural is in Battle Acre Park in Dundalk at the historic site of the Battle of North Point from the War of 1812. The wall is 100-feet long and Adams consulted with historians and battle reenactors to create this series of vignettes from the battle.
Adams grew up in Bel Air and this mural is right on Main Street. The piece took him two months and he wanted to bring attention to the area’s renaissance. Along with extensive research, Adams also consulted with his grandmother to create the split-screen that depicts Bel Air from 1957 and present day.
Located in Hightopps Bar and Grille in Timonium, this Mardi Gras-themed mural depicts trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and a collage of other New Orleans scenes.
This mural at Johnny Sánchez restaurant in Horseshoe Casino illustrates Chef Aarón Sánchez’s elaborate tattoos. Adams received photographs and sketches from the original tattoo artist in New York.
On this wall, Adams recreated the logo of old manufacturing warehouse King Cork & Seal in Harbor East. When painting logos, Adams relies more heavily on his construction know-how and math skills—calling it a marriage of practical and artistic abilities.
Adams painted this mural depicting the Open Air Film Festival on the corner of Pratt and High streets in Little Italy. During the project he met John Pente, who lived in the neighborhood for 100 years and allowed festival organizers to project films out of the upstairs window of his row home. When Adams completed this project, he was rewarded with a few free meals at Da Mimmo’s.
His pop-culture juxtapositions on the walls of Don’t Known Tavern in Federal Hill result from the artistic freedom the bar owners allow him. On rainy days, Adams can often be found there painting walls and considers it his own little art gallery.
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Online Exclusive! See more of Marshall Adams’ murals that are displayed around town.
