Public art tells the story of a community’s history, culture, and aspirations. This is what makes Southwest Detroit so special: there is a rich tradition of muralism dating back to the early 1970’s, before muralism became a popular way for businesses to beautify the exteriors of their buildings. Residents and visitors to the area will be stunned by the colorful contributions of celebrated artists, many of whom are local to the area and painted to pay homage to the area’s thriving Latino culture.

The Pablo Davis mural on the east side of the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) building exemplifies this power, depicting the neighborhood’s vibrant Latino heritage and celebrating the people and culture that make this area of Detroit so unique. Steve “Pablo” Davis was the last living artist from the team of artists who worked with Deigo Rivera on the famous Detroit Industry mural which is a central focus of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Davis was commissioned to paint the mural by SDBA between 1979-1980. It depicts the riverfront of Detroit and many famous historical landmarks. In 1997, Detroit artist Vito Valdez restored the mural.

Nearly 30 years later, the mural was once more in dire need of restoration. That’s where we stepped in to preserve this iconic piece of history. Together with SDBA and our partners at 1XRUN, we commissioned artist Jay Kopicki to restore the mural. Through our support of this mural’s restoration, we’re not just preserving paint on a wall – we’re protecting a cultural touchstone that strengthens neighborhood identity and pride. The mural serves as a visual anchor that connects generations, sparks dialogue, and reminds residents of their shared history.

As Detroit continues to evolve, maintaining these artistic landmarks ensures communities retain their unique character while building toward a more resilient future. As you will see in the video, the Pablo Davis Mural stands as a testament to Southwest Detroit’s enduring spirit and the vital role public art plays in neighborhood preservation.