Art adorns the boarded-up Bijou Lounge in Austin, Texas, on March 24. Bar owners on the street commissioned graffiti artists from the HOPE Outdoor Gallery to provide an uplifting message amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Boarded-up businesses have become brilliant works of art
Art adorns the boarded-up Bijou Lounge in Austin, Texas, on March 24. Bar owners on the street commissioned graffiti artists from the HOPE Outdoor Gallery to provide an uplifting message amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Jay Jenner/Austin American-Statesman/USA Today/Reuters

Updated 10:22 AM EDT, Mon April 6, 2020

Many businesses are shutting up shop because of the coronavirus.

But thanks to artists around the world, some boarded-up windows don't look so sad anymore.

From inspirational messages of hope to simple notes of appreciation, here are some of the colorful creations that caught our eye.

A man passes by a boarded-up store in San Francisco on March 17.
A man passes by a boarded-up store in San Francisco on March 17.
Gabrielle Lurie/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images
A woman has her picture taken by her friends at a boarded-up business in Las Vegas on March 25. Local artists have been painting the boards on shuttered businesses in the Arts District.
A woman has her picture taken by her friends at a boarded-up business in Las Vegas on March 25. Local artists have been painting the boards on shuttered businesses in the Arts District.
John Locher/AP
A woman walks by a boarded-up restaurant in San Francisco on April 1.
A woman walks by a boarded-up restaurant in San Francisco on April 1.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Art adorns the Austin bar Pour Choices on March 24.
Art adorns the Austin bar Pour Choices on March 24.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman/USA Today/Reuters
A woman walks past a supportive message in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 1.
A woman walks past a supportive message in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 1.
Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press/AP
Artist Josephine Rice paints a mural in a boarded-up doorway in Seattle on March 24.
Artist Josephine Rice paints a mural in a boarded-up doorway in Seattle on March 24.
Karen Ducey/Getty Images
A pedestrian takes a photo of artwork in Seattle on March 23.
A pedestrian takes a photo of artwork in Seattle on March 23.
Elaine Thompson/AP
A woman walks past a boarded-up business in Portland, Oregon, on March 24.
A woman walks past a boarded-up business in Portland, Oregon, on March 24.
Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa/AP
Artist Burgandy Viscosi works on a piece she calls "Healthy Lungs" on a boarded-up coffee shop in Seattle on March 29.
Artist Burgandy Viscosi works on a piece she calls "Healthy Lungs" on a boarded-up coffee shop in Seattle on March 29.
Jason Redmond/Reuters
A man sits in front of an Austin business on March 25.
A man sits in front of an Austin business on March 25.
Eric Gay/AP
A heart with wings is seen in Birmingham England, on March 31.
A heart with wings is seen in Birmingham England, on March 31.
Mike Kemp/In Pictures/Getty Images
A man passes a sign thanking essential workers in Seattle on March 24.
A man passes a sign thanking essential workers in Seattle on March 24.
Brian Snyder/Reuters