Mom | Black Cat Alley Mural

April 2025 | Black Cat Alley | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Painted in Black Cat Alley, Mom is a luminous mural reflecting grief, guidance, and the quiet strength carried forward through motherhood. “The polar bear is my new north, my light, my intuition, and my trust to let nature prevail,” says Hannah. “It’s a quiet tribute to my mother’s spirit—ever-present and guiding—and a reflection of my journey through motherhood with my son. The bear carries both memory and momentum: where we come from and where we’re going.”

The polar bear serves as a steady compass—a symbol of intuition, trust, and allowing nature to lead. Set within the movement and energy of the alley, the mural offers a moment of stillness, inviting reflection while remaining open, public, and shared.

At its core, Mom is a tribute to presence that doesn’t fade, honoring where we come from and the paths we continue to walk forward

Photos by Jim Sinicki | Charlie James Photo

Artists painting a large polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artist on ladder above stairwell working on large polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Paint roller resting in a paint tray filled with teal paint.
Artist Hannah Tews holding a paintbrush with navy blue paint at the polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artist Eriq Tews removing a banner from a brick wall in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artist Hannah Tews painting polar bear mural over stairwell in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artist Hannah Tews painting polar bear mural over stairwell in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Motorbike passing by in front of polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artist Hannah Tews painting details on polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Black and white photo of muralist Hannah Tews working on scaffolding in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Small paintbrush taped to extension handle painting mural on cinderblock wall in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artist Hannah Tews standing on scaffolding working on polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artist Hannah Tews painting polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Muralist Hannah Tews working on polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Paper plan of polar bear mural with paint colors listed in hand of muralist.
Mural artists standing and planning in front of public street art at Black Cat Alley.
Artists working on polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Blurry hand painting artist Terrible Tews signature on cinderblock wall in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Two mural artists spraypainting stars on polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artists Eliza Audley, Hannah Tews and Ian Tews standing in front of public art in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Muralist Hannah Tews sitting on scaffolding in front of complete polar bear Mom mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Muralist Hannah Tews wearing Terrible Tews branded shirt sitting on scaffolding in front of complete Mom polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwauke.
Artists Eliza Audley and Hannah Tews sitting on scaffolding in front of complete polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artists Ian Tews, Hannah Tews and Eliza Audley standing in front of complete Mom polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Artists Ian Tews and Eliza Audley holidng up artist Hannah Tews posing like completed polar bear mural behind them.
Close-up shot of in-progress polar bear mural on wall in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Wide angle shot of artist Hannah Tews standing on scaffolding painting polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Wide angle shot of complete Mom polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.
Full wall shot of complete polar bear mural in Black Cat Alley, Milwaukee.