The Bookstore Mural

The Bookstore Mural is a painted wall roughly 60 by 20 feet at the corner of Liberty and State Streets in downtown Ann Arbor. It features large portraits of five creative figures against a contrasting background and currently occupies a building that houses a restaurant.

Artist Richard Wolk created the work in 1984 when a bookstore still occupied the location and the building itself dated from 1901. The artist returned in 2010 to restore the painting and refresh its colors.

The mural displays portraits of writers and a filmmaker, showing how the city values literature and creative artists. This selection reflects different literary traditions and makes the work a gathering point for art enthusiasts in the area.

The mural is located at 300 South State Street and is easy to see from the street, especially when walking near Michigan Theater. The best time to photograph it is during daylight when the portraits are clearly visible.

The work later appeared in promotional materials for the 2011 film Answer This, reaching audiences far beyond the local art scene. This unexpected connection to Hollywood shows how locally created art can suddenly gain attention in popular culture.

Location: Michigan

GPS coordinates: 42.27930,-83.74100

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:26