National City, California, spends $32,000 every year repainting walls scarred by graffiti. This week, councilmembers voted to spend $12,000 on two large murals instead—betting that art, not fresh primer, will keep vandals away and turn a blighted corridor into a destination.

Visitors to Jackson can now enjoy a vibrant new mural by artist Will Rivera, thanks to a generous donation from Quality Tire and Recycling. The artwork adorns the wall of the Jackson Progress-Argus building off Mulberry Street, adding a splash of color to the city’s landscape.