A new outdoor mural depicting the Kansas-born silent film star Louise Brooks has debuted in Wichita, Kansas -- the actress' one-time hometown. The mural is the work of an artist known as Deber614. And what's more, the mural (shown below) was painted on the north side of the Dockum building (Douglas and Hillside), the very building whee Louise Brooks opened a dance studio in the 1940's.
A fan of the actress, Danzel Bond, sent me a couple of snapshots of the mural. They are great pics. Thank you Danzel !
Earlier this month, I contacted the artist and asked about the mural. He told me "This mural is part of a personal / public art project called “The Gaze of History”. I have been painting public spaces for close to 20 years, and last year I decided to focus my practice into paying homage and remembrance to historical figures. So far I have completed large scale murals of Sarah Lloyd Green, John Brown, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Dr.William Polite, and now Louise Brooks. This mural is my first piece in College Hill, so I decided to bring all I have to offer in terms of artistry and painting skills. I want to break away from purely decorative murals, and build a collection of public artwork that allows me to highlight these figures that I feel deserve their flowers and to not be abandoned/vanished from our historical memory."
The artist added, "Talking more specifically to Louise Brooks. As a muralist / public artist, after doing research into relevant figures in the area, it was an obvious choice to pay tribute to her, not just because she was local. After learning about her experiences in Wichita, I could not help but to feel the same disappointment she often expressed at the attitudes of the city towards her. The misogyny, and social shaming. Everything. After reading about it, I decided that it would be an honor to be the artist that could give Louise her so well deserved flowers, to pay homage to her memory and to do a tiny bit to correct the wrongs of history."
The artist's Facebook page has a few short videos of the painting of the mural. Check 'em out.
THE LEGAL STUFF: The Louise Brooks Society™ blog is authored by Thomas Gladysz, Director of the Louise Brooks Society (www.pandorasbox.com). Original content copyright © 2026. Further unauthorized use prohibited. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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