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Raleigh's murals tell the city's story, from history to culture to art

Raleigh's murals can be found all over the city, from downtown to the suburbs, and they depict a wide range of subjects, from historical figures to abstract designs.

Posted 2023-09-23T03:34:35+00:00 - Updated 2023-09-24T16:21:51+00:00

Raleigh's Murals: A vibrant canvas for the city's rich history, culture, and people

Jelia Hepner

, WRAL multiplatform producer

Raleigh, a vibrant city with a thriving arts scene, is home to many murals. These murals, representing a wide range of subjects, from historical figures to abstract designs, reflect the city's rich history, culture and people. Raleigh's murals have become a cherished part of the community, from the heart of downtown to the outer suburbs.

Here are some of the most recognized murals in Raleigh:

All Are Welcome Raleigh Mural: This mural, located at 428 S. McDowell St., depicts a diverse group of people from all walks of life. Local chef Ashley Christensen commissioned this mural on the side of her restaurant, Poole'side Pies, to promote LGBTQ equality.

Chef Ashley Christensen, a well-known local chef and restauranteur, commissioned this mural on the side of her restaurant, Poole'side Pies, to promote LGBTQ+ equality.

Allen Iverson Mural: This mural, located at 409 W. Martin St., honors Allen Iverson. The mural is a powerful and iconic artwork that depicts Iverson's mother, Ann, braiding his hair during an NBA game. The mural is located on the side of the CAM Raleigh museum and was created by artist Steve "ESPO" Powers in 2018.

Stephen Powers's mural depicts a scene from 1990s NBA history, in which Allen Iverson sits on the bench during an actual game while his mother braids his hair.

Sprinkles the Bobcat: This mural is at 407 Glenwood Ave. This is a vibrant outdoor mural by Lisa Gaither, adorns a wall in the Glenwood South district. Created in 2015, the 20'x60' artwork depicts a glamorous bobcat, bedecked in a pearl necklace and surrounded by roses. Sprinkles sits atop a wall in the parking lot of C. Grace, a popular bar, making the mural a popular photo spot for visitors and locals alike.

Lisa Gaither's mural of Sprinkles the Bobcat graces a wall in Raleigh's popular Glenwood South district, welcoming all and pointing the way to the popular bar C. Grace.

The Good of the Hive: This mural is located at 121 W. Jones St. The Good of the Hive was created by artist Matthew Willey as part of his global art project to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators. The mural features 50,000 hand-painted honeybees, the number necessary for a healthy hive. Willey uses a variety of colors and techniques to create a vibrant and dynamic image that celebrates the beauty and power of nature and human connection.

Matthew Willey founded The Good of the Hive, an artistic initiative that aims to hand-paint 50,000 honeybees, the number necessary for a healthy hive in murals around the world.

Raleigh Bicycle mural: Located at 713 N. West St., the Raleigh Bicycle mural is a sprawling rendering of a cyclist being chased by a lion through a warm-colored savannah, inspired by a vintage Raleigh Bicycle Company advertisement distributed to African colonies during the early 20th century.

Inspired by a vintage Raleigh Bicycle Company advertisement distributed to African colonies in the early 20th century, this sprawling mural depicts a cyclist being chased by a lion through a warm-colored savannah.

8-Bit to 5G: This mural is at 429 S. Wilmington St. More than just a mural, "8-Bit to 5G" celebrates creativity and innovation.The 8-Bit to 5G mural is a large-scale public art installation that celebrates the evolution of gaming graphics from the early days of 8-bit consoles to the present era of 5G technology. The mural was created by local artist Taylor White in collaboration with the City of Raleigh, Subnation, and Red Hat.

Taylor White's vibrant mural is a collage of characters, graphics, hardware, and other elements that represent the diverse video game genres and titles played, watched, and made in the Raleigh area.

Summer's Where You'll Find Me: This 2110 Blue Ridge Road mural by Detroit-based artist Louise Jones (Ouizi) was inspired by plants and flowers in the North Carolina Museum of Art's outdoor park. Created in 2018, the mural was part of an exhibit based on Georgia O'Keeffe and other contemporary artists.

Created in 2018, the mural was part of an exhibit based on Georgia O'Keeffe and other contemporary artists.

Mount Rushmore of Hip Hop (feat. J. Cole): At 412 S. Dawson St., you can find a mural honoring the “Mount Rushmore” of 2010s hip hop, as voted by followers of Spotify's Rap Caviar playlist. The mural on S. Dawson St. features colossal portraits of Drake, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar and Fayetteville native J. Cole.

The mural on S. Dawson St. features colossal portraits of Drake, Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar and Fayetteville native J. Cole.

Celebrating John Lewis: JalelRonin's mural at 827 W. Morgan St. celebrates the life of John Lewis, a towering figure of the civil rights era who served for more than three decades in Congress and fought tirelessly for equality in the 1960s.

This mural celebrates the life of John Lewis, a towering civil rights icon who served in Congress for over three decades and was known for his unwavering fight for equality in the 1960s.

Murals make communities more beautiful, safer

Murals are important for several reasons. First, they add beauty and vibrancy to a city. They can also be used to tell stories, celebrate culture and promote social justice. Murals can also help to bring people together and create a sense of community. They also are making communities safer. A recent study found that murals on streets can significantly reduce the number of vehicle crashes. The Asphalt Art Safety study found that crashes decreased by 50% in areas with murals compared to areas without them.

History of murals in Raleigh

Murals have a long and rich history in Raleigh, dating back to the early 20th century. Some of the city's oldest murals can be found in downtown Raleigh, where they were often used to advertise businesses or promote civic causes.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Raleigh began to see a resurgence of mural art, as local artists began to use murals to express themselves and to beautify the city. Many of the murals from this period can be found in the Warehouse District, which was once a rundown industrial area but has since been transformed into a vibrant arts and culture hub.

In recent years, Raleigh has seen a renewed interest in murals as the city has embraced public art to revitalize neighborhoods and promote civic engagement.

Raleigh's murals are a source of pride for the city's residents and visitors alike. They are a reminder of Raleigh's vibrant arts scene and its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The future of murals in Raleigh

Today, there are over 300 murals in Raleigh, and the city is home to many mural festivals and events throughout the year. In recent years, the city has launched several initiatives to promote public art, including the Raleigh Murals Project. This project has helped bring artists, businesses, and community members together to create new murals all over the city.

Downtown Raleigh is home to various murals that are sure to please everyone. Whether you're a fan of abstract art, realistic depictions of local culture, or something in between, you'll find a mural you love in downtown Raleigh. So, take a walk or bike ride around the city and start exploring!