For this blog, public art is more than just a definition; it’s an invitation. It is art that will make you slow down, stop, and really look. It’s the mural you find when you turn a sharp corner, the sculpture in a park that makes you walk around it twice, and the intricate metalwork, mosaics, and surprises that give a place its unique heartbeat.
Murals, Metal & Miles is about the art you find along the way—the pieces that are worth the stop, the detour, and sometimes even the trip itself. Public art that reflects the community that it lives in, its history, culture and identity.
This is a collection of those places—the art that makes a town memorable and the unexpected beauty you can only find when you’re paying attention. Come share the adventure.
If you’re craving a fun, art-filled day that pairs great food with a leisurely walk, I recommend a mural adventure through Belton, Temple, and Killeen. A friend and I did this in December 2025, when the weather was absolutely perfect, and it turned into one of those days you wish you could rewind and do again.
First Stop: Belton We kicked things off with lunch at The Dead Fish Grill, always an enjoyable meal with a view. Then it was off to explore for art—treating the experience like a scavenger hunt.
Patio at Dead Fish Grill (2297 Lake Rd., Belton).
Lake Belton Dam: Our first stop was the murals along the dam. There are quite a few to see, but because of limited parking, this part of the adventure works best as a slow drive-by—still well worth it for the scale of spotting art in such an unexpected place.
The “BELTON” Mural: In downtown, you’ll find the bold BELTON mural on the Cochran, Blair & Potts Building (221 East Central Ave). The lettering stretches across the front and wraps around the side, making it a perfect photo anchor.
Next Stop: Temple
In downtown Temple, public art kicks into high gear.
Extraco Bank Mural: A fantastic spot for selfies. It weaves together Temple’s history— football, trains, cotton, and cattle—making it as educational as it is eye-catching. The artist is Amber Gabriel.https://www.facebook.com/paintbyamber/.
2000 N. Main
The Art Train Project: Keep an eye out for small replicas of vintage steam engines painted by local artists. Funded by a grant from the Texas Downtown Association, these feel like hidden treasures. We only found one this time, but there are 8 trains —a perfect excuse to come back!
Final Stop: Killeen
Killeen turned out to be a delightful surprise.
First up was “Greetings from Kileen” located at the corner of North Gray and Ave D, painted by Mark Arrington. This mural represents the military, the community and its diverse population.
Southern Roots Mural: This was my favorite of the entire trip. Painted high above a craft distillery, it feels both grounded and celebratory. Located at the intersection of N Gray and Ave D and was painted by Daniel and Elise from Yokai Society Tattoo :https://www.facebook.com/YokaiSocietyTattoo.
Scattered throughout the downtown area are several corners wrapped in murals that transform ordinary intersections into bursts of color.
Even though I didn’t manage to snap photos of every single piece—giving me a perfect excuse to return for more—the day was a total success. It was one of those ideal afternoons filled with great friendship, unexpected creative discoveries, and that unmistakable small-town charm.
If you find yourself wandering through Killeen, Temple, or Belton, I highly recommend slowing down and taking a look around. You’ll find that these communities have an incredible amount of art in the wild just waiting to be enjoyed.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, give it a try—you never know what kind of joy you’ll find around the next corner!
