‘An Ode to an Old Road’ – Monrovia Muralists Memorialize Route 66 Legacy
Written by T.K. Mills
Published on June 17th, 2025
Route 66 is America’s most iconic highway. Dubbed, ‘The Mother Road’ in John Steinbeck’s novel ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ it has served as the primary means of migration across the nation and as a symbol of freedom and the post-war boom. Established in 1926, it stretches from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, with the cross-country corridor inspiring music, movies, and notably, art.
Along the way, several offbeat landmarks have popped up, such as the Gemini Giant in Illinois, the half-buried Cadillacs covered in graffiti in Texas, and the neon-drenched motels of New Mexico that encompass the multitude of meanings Route 66 has taken on. The newest edition to this medley of Americana was recently completed in Monrovia, California by Sellout & Dirt Cobain, a mural that pays homage to the town and its location toward the final stretch of Route 66.
Titled “An Ode to an Old Road,” the project began when Ryan Burch, whose artistic moniker is Sellout, a Monrovian local, saw an opportunity to commemorate his hometown’s heritage. “Monrovia is at the forefront of creating a grasp on public art, in a way that will help local business & industry.” Seeking an opportunity to expand the city’s connection to street art and beautify a roadway, he got in touch with the city council after they put out an open call for artists. To complete the massive project, he enlisted LA-based artist Dirt Cobain to assist.
Monrovia lays on the outskirts of the Los Angeles County, but while it shares its border with the larger metropolitan region, Monrovia has the feel of a small town – lush greenery, open spaces, and the San Gabriel Mountains rest just up the road. “Monrovia is LA’s Maybury. It’s LA country, but it feels very small-town. People who have lived here for 30, 40 years. It’s a nice safe town, right next to the foothills,” Sellout said.
According to the artist, the design was based on symbols meant to represent the Californian town over time; “if you look at the mural, it encapsulates 4 time periods; The 20s, 50s, 70s, and Now,” Sellout explained.
On the project, Dirt said, “This was a fun project to be a part of. I’m grateful that we had the opportunity to add a new landmark to a historical road.” Via an Instagram post, Sellout shared, “The Monrovia, Route 66, bridge is the largest mural, in terms of square footage, celebrating the historic passage of Route 66, in all of the United States… Growing up in Monrovia, this was a major stamp for myself and working with Dirt was an honor. This was a substantiate symbol, to my community, to harness a future directly created by local artists…”
Upon completion, Sellout hosted a fundraiser to benefit families who had been affected by the wildfires earlier in the year.
Looking to the future, Sellout offered some advice for fellow artists; “Invest in your community. Helping your community helps you. Passion is at the front of it all.”
T.K. Mills is the Editor-in-Chief of UP Magazine, a street art publication based in New York City. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Global Affairs, he discovered a love for graffiti while backpacking through Cuba and pursued life as a writer. Outside of UP, T.K. enjoys writing poetry, personal travel essays, and occasionally short stories. His work has been published in The Smart Set, The Vignette Review, Genre Urban Arts, and Eternal Remedy among others. Beyond art, T.K. loves reading and traveling.
Insta: @t.k.m85
Website: www.tkmills.com