This year, UP published over 200 stories (203, to be exact). We explored the work of artists across continents, mediums, and stages of their careers, capturing the ever-evolving energy of the global creative community. Narrowing that enormous body of work down to just 20 standout articles was no small task. But, as has become a yearly tradition, the UP team came together to select our favorites of 2025 – some were chosen for shining a light on artists or stories we’d never covered before, some for their exceptional writing, and some simply because they embody the spirit and vision of UP. Without further ado, we’re excited to share the 2025 UP Editor’s Choice List!

(Stories are listed in loose chronological order)

The Chaos of Creativity – Berk Goes Berserk on Art, Music, and Fried Chicken

Written by Brian Bloss

Published January 27, 2025

Ryla the Creator’s Nostalgic Dreamscape

Written by Lily Seo

Published February 24, 2025

Jaune – The Stencil Artist Celebrating Those Who Build our World

Written by Anne van Bree

Published on March 3, 2025

Enz’Horgues – A Family Festival in Southwest France

Written by T.K. Mills

Published on March 4, 2025

Clockwork Dreams: Pranav Sood’s Canvas of Time

Written by Helene

Published March 10, 2025

Feral Heart: ZeyeOne

Written by Nicole Misft

Published on April 25, 2025

F.I.T. Reflections – Celebrating Illustration

Written by Katie Godowski

Published on May 13, 2025

Kicking It with Gordopelota: Martín Kazanietz’s Tribute to Fútbol Barrial

Written by Maria Yigouti

Published on June 2, 2025

Leaving a Blueprint for the Next Generation with BleuPablo

Written by Georgia Eggers

Published on June 19, 2025

Kaleidoscopic Dream Distortion: Mari Mocha

Written by Tiany Bishop

Published on July 15, 2025

Beauty in the Abandoned: Valeri Larko

Written by Antonina Shklyar

Published on July 17, 2025

Lovesuite: The Lyricism of Janna Jamison

Written by Sonali Sinha

Published on July 19, 2025

The Wondrous Imagination of Tom Bob

Written by Polya Pencheva

Published on August 7, 2025

Paolo Tolentino: Nostalgia Propagandist

Written by Michael Lodato

Published on August 14, 2025

This City, This Body: The Radical Street Art of LSD Alisei

Written by Claudia Mazzarelli

Published on August 25, 2025

Designing a Career with RedHalfTone – Lisa Champ

Written by Libby Cook

Published on September 17, 2025

“Trouble Maker” – Joe Iurato Holds Fast to Hope

Written by Leigh Pennington

Published on September 18, 2025

UPaint the Ocean: Street Art for the Planet

Written by Andi Schmitz

Published on October 13, 2025

Manny on Murals, Messages, and Making a Mark

Written by Ayla Agha

Published on October 14, 2025

Studio6 Gallery: Bringing Back Respect for Artists

Written by Jiri Palayekar

Published on October 30, 2025

Public Art, Private Complaints: The Story of a Tokyo Mural and Its Removal

Written by Elena Calderón Aláez

Published March 13, 2025

The Keep: Brooklyn’s Cabinet of Curiosities

Written by Leigh Pennington

La Sombra: Shadows on the Streets

Written by Diego López

From Wool to Walls: The Story of Portugal’s WOOL Festival

Written by Giulia BLocal Riva

The Bonita Chola: Becoming a Good Ancestor by Rejecting the Idea of a Hero

Written by Candelaria Barandiaran

Ashley’s Advice on Art and the City #8: The Art of Joy – Choosing to Live with Joy and Unlocking your Creative Abundance

Written by Ashley Miah

Surrealism, Identity, and Playful Experimentation with Okuda San Miguel at Underdogs Gallery in Lisbon

Written by Bree Chapin

PASTE UP: Creativity, Accessibility and Rebellion

Written by The Photographer @mrbt62
Translation by Rosalie Seward

Happy new year, and thank you for supporting UP!

— T.K. Mills & the UP Mag Staff