The Department Co. is a work of public art created by Jenny Murphy.
Through a combination of design, installation, virtual and in-person engagements, and creative re-use, The Department Co. explores new and alternative possibilities for commerce and community in Downtown St. Louis.

The project consists of three ground floor windows transformed into illustrative murals. These pieces serve as the inspiration for a future in which community members play an active role in defining and creating culture in St. Louis. Inspired by the sense of fanfare and community found in the department stores of the early twentieth century, with the Dept. Co., Murphy turns to the future to reconsider public gathering spaces in an environmentally friendly, welcoming, and non-commercial way.

The murals feature storefronts for the garden, accessories and stationary departments that will encourage visitors to create their own functional items from reclaimed materials and share their creations with others.

The Department Co. is a part of InSITE STL; a group of site-specific, temporary public artworks in Downtown St. Louis in 2022. The works, developed by St. Louis-based artists, impact how we see Downtown — from the actual physical character, to different views and sightlines, to our views and perceptions of what Downtown is and can be. The artworks encourage exploration, curiosity, and a new way of seeing.

For more information about InSITE STL: racstl.org/programs/insite-2020/
For more information about Jenny Murphy: jenny-murphy.com