Elaborate and inspirational murals have emerged on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri. You can find these artistic murals if you walk along the two main avenues in the town where rioters and looters ravaged many businesses and storefronts in the hours after a grand jury refused to indicted officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown.
The art of Ferguson —
Elaborate and inspirational murals have emerged on the streets of Ferguson, Missouri. You can find these artistic murals if you walk along the two main avenues in the town where rioters and looters ravaged many businesses and storefronts in the hours after a grand jury refused to indicted officer Darren Wilson for the shooting death of Michael Brown.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Ferguson resident Darcy Edwin spent hours meticulously painting this mural titled "We Are Family." She said it was simply an effort to make things a little better in her hometown.
The art of Ferguson —
Ferguson resident Darcy Edwin spent hours meticulously painting this mural titled "We Are Family." She said it was simply an effort to make things a little better in her hometown.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
The New Chinese Gourmet restaurant is open but in the mayhem of protests, the restaurants windows were smashed out. An artist turned the plywood sheets into a canvas to bring people together.
The art of Ferguson —
The New Chinese Gourmet restaurant is open but in the mayhem of protests, the restaurants windows were smashed out. An artist turned the plywood sheets into a canvas to bring people together.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Prayer and healing is a constant theme in many of the artistic murals that have popped up in the past few days across Ferguson.
The art of Ferguson —
Prayer and healing is a constant theme in many of the artistic murals that have popped up in the past few days across Ferguson.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Many of the businesses near the Ferguson Police Department were damaged in the first wave of violent protests after the grand jury announced its decision not to indict Darren Wilson.
The art of Ferguson —
Many of the businesses near the Ferguson Police Department were damaged in the first wave of violent protests after the grand jury announced its decision not to indict Darren Wilson.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Many of the artists who turned out to paint these murals didn't like the idea of seeing Ferguson's quaint strip of storefronts marred by large sheets of drab plywood covering windows.
The art of Ferguson —
Many of the artists who turned out to paint these murals didn't like the idea of seeing Ferguson's quaint strip of storefronts marred by large sheets of drab plywood covering windows.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Some of the murals have an innocent, child-like feel to them. Ferguson Mayor James Knowles says he'd like to see the murals preserved but there isn't a formal plan to do so yet.
The art of Ferguson —
Some of the murals have an innocent, child-like feel to them. Ferguson Mayor James Knowles says he'd like to see the murals preserved but there isn't a formal plan to do so yet.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Love and peace are also popular themes in many of the murals.
The art of Ferguson —
Love and peace are also popular themes in many of the murals.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
This mural has inspired the popular hashtag #handsupletspray and is seen on several sheets of plywood on various storefronts along South Florissant Avenue.
The art of Ferguson —
This mural has inspired the popular hashtag #handsupletspray and is seen on several sheets of plywood on various storefronts along South Florissant Avenue.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Many of these murals started to spring up around the Thanksgiving holiday. It was not an organized effort. Painters wanted to bring beauty to a depressing situation.
The art of Ferguson —
Many of these murals started to spring up around the Thanksgiving holiday. It was not an organized effort. Painters wanted to bring beauty to a depressing situation.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Inspirational messages can be found on most of the murals. The painter of this mural was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
The art of Ferguson —
Inspirational messages can be found on most of the murals. The painter of this mural was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
Many of the murals are large. This painting covers four large sheets of plywood on a storefront just up the street from the Ferguson Police Department.
The art of Ferguson —
Many of the murals are large. This painting covers four large sheets of plywood on a storefront just up the street from the Ferguson Police Department.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
In the coming days, many store front windows will be repaired and these murals will start to come down. Many people hope the artistic murals should be preserved as part of the city's history.
The art of Ferguson —
In the coming days, many store front windows will be repaired and these murals will start to come down. Many people hope the artistic murals should be preserved as part of the city's history.
Ed Lavandera/CNN
This is one of the more elaborate murals left on the plywood windows of a Ferguson hardware store. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only light, only love."
The art of Ferguson —
This is one of the more elaborate murals left on the plywood windows of a Ferguson hardware store. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only light, only love."
Ed Lavandera/CNN
The artists brought bright colors and elaborate designs to these murals.
The art of Ferguson —
The artists brought bright colors and elaborate designs to these murals.
Ed Lavandera/CNN