Some of Seattle’s most colorful and talented artists aren’t featured in galleries

Some of Seattle’s most colorful and talented artists aren’t featured in galleries or museums but rather on walls, trains, underpasses and buildings throughout the city. Shows held throughout the year showcase prominent and upcoming street artists, but the best thing about this style – or the worst, depending on your viewpoints – is that you can experience it for free.Photos by Lois Stavsky, liquidnight, musicman67,

Also taken at the SODO graffiti wall

Also taken at the SODO graffiti wall

Taken at the SODO graffiti wall - the young man is the photographer's son.

Taken at the SODO graffiti wall – the young man is the photographer’s son.

Shown at the 2010 Street Art Biennale

Shown at the 2010 Street Art Biennale

Some of Seattle's most colorful and talented artists aren't featured in galleries

Shown at the 2010 Street Art Biennale

Some of Seattle's most colorful and talented artists aren't featured in galleries

Shown at the 2010 Street Art Biennale

Some of Seattle's most colorful and talented artists aren't featured in galleries

Shown at the 2010 Street Art Biennale

This tribute to Gary Coleman was created at the SODO free wall, a space where street artists are free to spray.

This tribute to Gary Coleman was created at the SODO free wall, a space where street artists are free to spray.

Some of Seattle's most colorful and talented artists aren't featured in galleries

This tribute to Gary Coleman was created at the SODO free wall, a space where street artists are free to spray.

The photographer snapped this photo while visiting Seattle and can't remember the exact location - But it was in a neighborhood where I'd least expect to find graffiti -- one with upscale stores, etc.! she wrote.

The photographer snapped this photo while visiting Seattle and can’t remember the exact location – But it was in a neighborhood where I’d least expect to find graffiti — one with upscale stores, etc.! she wrote.

Some of Seattle's most colorful and talented artists aren't featured in galleries

The photographer snapped this photo while visiting Seattle and can’t remember the exact location – But it was in a neighborhood where I’d least expect to find graffiti — one with upscale stores, etc.! she wrote.

This panda resides somewhere on Capitol Hill.

This panda resides somewhere on Capitol Hill.

The Pratt Mural was painted by Era and friends in the Central District.

The Pratt Mural was painted by Era and friends in the Central District.

Some of Seattle's most colorful and talented artists aren't featured in galleries

The Pratt Mural was painted by Era and friends in the Central District.

This Dondi tribute by Rhyme appeared in Belltown.

This Dondi tribute by Rhyme appeared in Belltown.

This mural, by artist NTG (No Touching Ground) appeared on Capitol Hill and commemorated John T. Williams, the Seattle man shot earlier this fall by a Seattle police officer.

This mural, by artist NTG (No Touching Ground) appeared on Capitol Hill and commemorated John T. Williams, the Seattle man shot earlier this fall by a Seattle police officer.

A close-up of a redone mural somewhere in downtown Seattle.

A close-up of a redone mural somewhere in downtown Seattle.

A decommissioned Seattle PI newspaper box featured at the 2010 Seattle Street Biennale.

A decommissioned Seattle PI newspaper box featured at the 2010 Seattle Street Biennale.