New artwork is added to Appalachian Mural Trail

"The Trail Town" Elkin mural with mural artist Michael Brown.

Press release:

Even to this day, people can still see the results of what the USA did for its people during the Great Depression. Called the WPA, The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious American project ever. Constructive and positive, the WPA employed millions of people to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings, parks and roads. In a much smaller but more famous project, Federal Project Number One, the WPA employed musicians, artists, writers, actors and directors in large arts (murals), drama, media, and literacy projects. Almost every community in the United States had a new park, bridge, public art mural or school constructed by the agency.

Here in Western North Carolina our public arts project, called the Appalachian Mural Trail, is looking to put local artists to work on large outdoor historical murals. These murals are intended to encircle the Blue Ridge Parkway and draw in visitors to the towns and communities where the outdoor murals are located, helping the economy through increased tourism and the employment of artists.

Just recently a new mural has been added to the Appalachian Mural Trail by the Downtown Boone Development Association that was actually painted by a famous WPA artist, Alan Tompkins. His mural, “Daniel Boone on a Hunting Trip,” was sponsored by the US Treasury Department in 1940 and commissioned by the Secretary of Fine Arts. Recently restored by David Goist, the mural is a source of pride for the town as it is the only surviving WPA mural in Northwest North Carolina.

Other news from the Appalachian Mural Trail includes updated information for the Dillsboro Mural Dedication event. “On Hallowed Ground” Dillsboro outdoor historical mural will be dedicated to the Appalachian Mural Trail on June 17 at 10 am to kick off the Dillsboro Front Street Festival. Joyce Lantz of Dogwood Crafters will play the part of Alice Enloe Dills who will tell the story of Dillsboro’s remarkable beginning in 1882 when the first train into the area stopped on the Dills farm. Original music will be played on banjo and sung by Betty Brown, local musician, entitled “The River Tuckasegee.” Also dedicated will be a small mural titled “ColorFest,” painted by local youth this mural is located across the street from the 16 feet long “On Hallowed Ground” mural.

Each week new murals are being added to the mural trail. Just recently, the town of Elkin placed 4 historical murals on the Appalachian Mural Trail. One of the murals, called “The Trail Town” tells how Elkin has become a trail town, where the Yadkin River Blue Trail, the Overmountain Victory Trail, and the NC Mountains to Sea Trail converge in its historic downtown. This mural depicts Elkin’s numerous trails and location between 2 State Parks (Stone Mountain and Pilot Mountain) and the border of the mural shows some of the things a visitor would see along Elkin’s town trail, the E&A Rail Trail. Michael Brown was the artist who helped create this vibrant mural telling the story of Elkin’s active outdoor lifestyle and the beauty experienced there everyday.

Southern Appalachia’s beautiful murals have not had a platform to be showcased on until now. The Appalachian Mural Trail is fulfilling this need through their interactive website, mural trail.com and sharing with the world this amazing art and exciting heritage!

SHARE
About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

2 thoughts on “New artwork is added to Appalachian Mural Trail

  1. Joe Hicks

    Our beautiful murals by Michael Brown. This is becoming and will be a great trail town. Revitalization in progress. Come see us and check out what is happening.

    • Denise Lyon

      Yes! Elkin is reinventing itself and trails are a big part of the mix. Add wineries, music, art and the best people anywhere. We are creating where we want to live. Thanks for the murals, Michael!

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.