Two Murals in Downtown Seattle Unveiled

SEATTLE, WA  – The Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ Local Organizing Committee (LOC) commissioned two newly completed, large-scale murals in downtown Seattle, marking the first installments in a series of public art pieces that will be unveiled as Seattle prepares to host next year’s FIFA World Cup 26™. The murals, curated and produced by Street Art for Mankind, highlight themes of human rights and local culture and feature two prominent artists from Seattle and Europe. Street Art for Mankind is a non-profit organization creating large murals in the heart of major cities across the world with prominent street artists. SAM’s goal is to inspire people with beautiful art, raise awareness on social justice and environmental issues, and give the public the means to become actors of change. 

“These giant murals mark the beginning of our work to highlight the best of Seattle for residents and visitors alike,” said Peter Tomozawa, CEO of the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26. “They represent our commitment to investing in local culture, celebrating community voices, and leaving behind a meaningful legacy through public art.”

“Sports have the power to inspire the world and bring out the best in people,” said Audrey and Thibault Decker, co-founders of Street Art for Mankind. “Our first two murals—a tribute to counterculture and human rights—offer both Seattleites and visitors a space to reflect on what makes this city united and resilient and to celebrate those values with the world.”

The first mural, titled United Currents, was painted by Seattle artist Leo Shallat. It is located at the crossing of Spring Street & 5th Avenue. This contemporary piece celebrates Seattle’s countercultural legacy. It is a poetic meditation on life’s winding path — a reminder that free expression rarely follows a straight line. The vibrant work flows like a wave through the city, moving with elegance through unexpected turns, drawing energy from nature’s palette: the green of lush forests, the deep blue of the sea, the golden warmth of the sun, and the free flight of birds. Facing the Seattle Central Library, the mural holds special significance for Shallat.

“Working on this mural in my hometown was the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s the largest wall I’ve painted and took me out of my comfort zone in a way that stretched my imagination of what is possible for the future of my art. I couldn’t think of a better location across the street from the Central library, a place that I have decades of memories in and that has helped shape my education and growth as an artist,” said artist Leo Shallat. “The theme of counterculture resonates deeply with me and I hope it appropriately honors the different movements that have taken root here in Seattle and continue to flourish to this day. Lastly, I want to give a huge thank you to the Street Art for Mankind team.”

The second mural, titled United by Nature, now towers 17 stories above 1306 Western Avenue. It was created by internationally renowned street artist INO. The monumental piece celebrates Seattle’s commitment to human rights and its legacy of justice, civic courage, and solidarity. It depicts two young people suspended midair, reaching toward each other in a powerful moment of connection. The gesture, simple yet profound, symbolizes unity, trust, and equality—a tribute to the spirit of the beautiful game.

INO communicates with the public through the silent yet powerful language of imagery. Rather than offering verbal explanations, he invites viewers to engage with the work and interpret it through their own personal lens.

The murals were an opportunity for three assistants to engage in the creative process and grow through hands-on experience. Yoonmi Cho and Alexander Cervantes, both Seattle-based artists, assisted INO with operating the swing stage and had the opportunity to observe and learn directly from his technique. Bimbo Adenugba, an artist from Houston, assisted Leo Shallat with his piece.  

The murals are part of a broader initiative by the LOC to guide residents and visitors through downtown Seattle by featuring new and existing arts and culture highlights.  The goal is to draw more people into more parts of Seattle, showing more of what makes the city so special while creating increased opportunities for more communities, small businesses, and cultural organizations.  

“Next year’s tournament in Seattle will draw the attention of hundreds of thousands of visitors and a TV audience of over 2 billion viewers,” said Tomozawa. “These murals are one of the ways we will use this moment of global focus to show what makes our region so special. By highlighting local artists, helping local apprentices connect to their international peers, and using art to show off our city. We are thrilled to welcome the world to Washington and share the best of our city and state with the world.”

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ABOUT SEATTLE FWC26 AND THE MURAL PROJECT

SeattleFWC26 is the non-profit local organizing committee tasked with hosting the FIFA World Cup™ next year. The FIFA World Cup will be the largest sporting event in history.

SeattleFWC26’s mission is to use this moment of global focus to make lasting progress on local priorities. As part of this vision, SeattleFWC26 is proudly partnering with Street Art for Mankind to curate large-scale World Cup Legacy murals. Each mural is a work of art, with a story to tell about the world coming to Seattle and how Seattle is welcoming the world. To deepen the experience, a free interactive app, Behind the Wall®, allows visitors to scan the finished mural and unlock immersive audio stories from community leaders and artists.  

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ABOUT SEATTLE FIFA WORLD CUP 26™ LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE  

SeattleFWC26 is the local organizing committee for Seattle’s participation as one of the 16 host cities selected for the FIFA World Cup 26™. As a not-for-profit organization, SeattleFWC26’s vision is to foster a lasting legacy for our region, guided by the spirit of soccer, innovation, and inclusion. To keep up to date on the latest news and involvement opportunities with SeattleFWC26, please visit Seattlefwc26.org/get-involved.   

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TECHNOLOGY MEETS STORYTELLING

Each mural is activated through "Behind the Wall®", a free mobile app created by Street Art for Mankind, available on the App Store and Play Store. By scanning the artwork, visitors can unlock audio guides featuring the artists’ voices, expert insights, and the stories behind the pieces—deepening their connection to the message and meaning of each mural.

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