Murals & Public Art – Asheville, NC – 2023

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

Longtime followers of this blog know my passion for public artwork and, more specifically, large-scale murals. Public art is vital to every community on many levels. It can positively affect a public space by making it bright and colorful and it can act as a means of enticing people to visit a particular area. More importantly, large-scale public murals, especially those created by artists local to that area, celebrate the creativity of that unique community while providing free and easily accessible artworks for all people to enjoy.

I recently returned from a trip to Asheville, NC and if you have ever visited this magical town then you know the folks who live there love two things above all else: beer and art! Asheville is considered the Craft Beer Capital of the World due to the nearly 60 breweries located within its vicinity and yes, I visited a few! However, I would argue that the title of Mural Capital of the World might be applicable as well. In fact, there are so many murals (some in inconspicuous places) that I’m not sure there is an “official” count as to how many murals there really are!

While self-guided walking “mural trails” are available online, I chose to go a different route. I decided that while I was visiting Asheville, I would wander and let the murals surprise me as I discovered them. I’m so glad I did! I happened upon a variety of murals in some surprising locations… and I’m sharing them with you!

Have a look at all the fantastic murals I found while on my travels in Asheville. Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments!

If you would like to read more about Asheville’s murals, please check out the following links…

https://www.exploreasheville.com/stories/post/takin-it-to-the-streets-with-ashevilles-urban-art/

https://www.exploreasheville.com/south-slope-mural-trail/

https://avltoday.6amcity.com/city-guide/play/murals-around-asheville-nc

2 thoughts on “Murals & Public Art – Asheville, NC – 2023”

Leave a comment

The Wandering Art Historian's avatar
I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.