“Hi, How Are You” mural preserved in Austin

Daniel Johnston’s iconic “Hi, How Are You” mural has taken on a life of its own since the Austin-based singer-songwriter painted it in 1993.

The mural has reached its next chapter, as student housing developer American Campus Communities recently demolished the building attached to the mural at West 21st and Guadalupe Streets, near the University of Texas, the Austin American-Statesman reported. 

But the landmark remains among the pile of debris. American Campus Communities, which has owned the property since 2018, agreed to preserve the mural as it embarks on a new development at the site.

“American Campus Communities has secured and will continue to protect the mural, and will integrate it into a new building design in the future,” American Campus’ Gina Cowart told the outlet.

The developer partnered with the Hi, How Are You Project in 2019 — a mental health advocacy group founded in 2018 in honor of Johnston, who struggled with manic depression and died in 2019.

Led by CEO Rob Palleschi, American Campus is one of the most prolific student housing developers in the nation, with over 100 on-campus developments spanning 93 colleges nationwide, according to its website. 

In Austin, American Campus is at the helm housing projects including the 367-unit 26 West, 669-unit the Block and the 219-unit Callaway House.

The mural, which features a large image of a frog known as “Jeremiah the Innocent,” first appeared on the cover of Johnston’s 1983 album, also titled “Hi, How Are You.” When Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain wore a shirt of the album cover at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, Johnston and the image rose to fame, leading to the mural’s creation the following year, the outlet said. 

At the time of its inception, the attached building was the site of Sound Exchange record store. It later became Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, and then Thai Spice restaurant took over the building in 2013, eventually changing its name to Thai, How Are You? after moving in. 

The City of Austin declared Jan. 22, Johnston’s birthday, “Hi, How Are You” day in 2018. 

—Quinn Donoghue