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Murals in the
Hickory Metro
We have compiled a list of new and old murals in the Hickory Metro and we hope that you find them all! Some are just a few steps away from each other and others are a few miles apart. While visiting take some photos and tag us @visithickorymetro! We would love to share. Happy Mural Hunting!
Murals By Area: Downtown Hickory
The murals in this section are all walkable whether on the City Walk or a part of Union Square in Downtown Hickory.
Welcome to Hickory (2021)
Location: Downtown Hickory 117 Government Ave SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Artist: James Smith
The mural in Downtown Hickory, NC, displays famous locations and some of Hickory's history while welcoming guests to the area. The mural spells out Hickory with scenes of the city inside each letter. Some images include the gears highlighting Hickory's industries, a partial NC map showing where Hickory is located, a logo for Lenoir Rhyne University, and the Hickory Crawdad's baseball team. Also included in the mural is a man kayaking representing our beautiful Lake Hickory. There are images for our arts, sciences, literature, and music scene. Oh and let's not forget the food which represents the Hickory Farmers Market.
The Miracle of Hickory (2019)
Location: Downtown Hickory 241 1st Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Hunter Speagle
The Miracle of Hickory Mural was painted to remember how Hickory came together during a time of crisis. In response to the first polio cases in the area, local citizens and doctors built, equipped and staffed a full-scale hospital in 54 hours.
A Piece to the Puzzle (2023)
Location: Downtown Hickory 16 2nd St NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: James Smith
The Puzzle Piece Mural is a depiction of a child's imagination.
Dandelion (2023)
Location: 717 4th Ave NE, Hickory NC 28601
Artist: Unknown
Located along the City Walk in Downtown Hickory is this striking mural of a dandelion blowing in the wind.
Historic Beginnings (2006)
Location: 234 Union Square, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Roger Cooke
This mural on Union Square in Downtown Hickory depicts the City of Hickory's historic beginnings. Included in the mural are the Piedmont Wagon, the Southern Railroad, Hickory Tavern, the Huffry Hotel, 1918 Union Square, and Hickory Manufacturing Company. In addition to historic scenes of early industries, four pioneers who helped build Hickory's strong economic and community-spirited foundation are included. The faces on the mural are Alex A. Shuford, J. Alfred Moretz, Lester Clark Gifford, and Edmund Thomas Moore, Sr.
Flowers (Date Unknown)
Location: 14 1st Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Matt Wright
Come check out these beautiful flowers that never fade!
Under the Umbrella (2021)
Location: 246 1st Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601, across from the parking deck on the HSM Solutions wall.
Artist: Bob Dennis, from Trade Alley Art
Want to dance in the rain on a sunny day? Pose under the umbrella for a fun photo op in Downtown Hickory.
Linville Falls (2022)
Location: 246 1st Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601, across from the parking deck on the HSM Solutions wall.
Artist: Chris Parsons
This Waterfall Mural was painted and donated by artist Chris Parsons. Although well-known for his unique fantasy collage art, he has continued to hone and refine his artistic style and techniques. In his latest works, Chris has focused on merging traditional landscape oil painting with modern, oil-enamel, spray-paint space art. The marriage of the different styles and techniques has produced some images that he likes to call "Spacescapes". Chris' influences include Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, and Bob Ross. He relies on a blend of styles and techniques to create his unique images. Chris draws his inspiration from nature, mythology, religion, science fiction, and popular culture.
Angels Wings (2023)
Location: 246 1st Ave. NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Bob Dennis, from Trade Alley Art
Embrace your inner angel at this beautiful wings mural in downtown Hickory.
Butterfly Wings (2023)
Location: 246 1st Ave. NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Bob Dennis, from Trade Alley Art
Take a selfie as you transform into a butterfly in this fun butterfly wings mural.
Red Bird (Date Unknown)
Location: 61st Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Unknown
This red bird stands next to the cabaret.
Door of Trade Alley Art (Date Unknown)
Location: Trade Alley, 25 2nd St NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Bob Dennis, from Trade Alley Art
A painted door on the side of Trade Alley Art gives fun directions on where to enter the gallery.
Woman In Window (Date Unknown)
Location: In a parking lot at 220 1st Ave, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Bob Dennis, from Trade Alley Art
Charlie Chaplin (Date Unknown)
Location: Trade Alley, Downtown Hickory
Artist: Bob Dennis, from Trade Alley Art
Charlie Chaplin sneaking around Downtown Hickory, see if you can find him!
McGuires Pub (Date Unknown)
Location: 46 3rd St NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Unknown
The mural is on the back of the McGuires Pub building.
Together Mural (2022)
Location: 24 1st Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist(s): Hickory Youth Council
This mural was painted by the Hickory Youth Council, as a project to display symbols that bring our community, thus representing all of us.
Flying Around Hickory Mural (2021)
Location: 87-A 4th St NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Charles Kimso
This mural was commissioned by Williams Law Firm in Hickory, NC. If you love seeing this mural sporting a plane, you should check out our Hickory Aviation Museum. It has lots of full-size planes for you to explore, and admission is free.
Hickory, NC
These murals are driveable around the City of Hickory.
Flower Mural (2020)
Location: 932 3rd Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Sara Jenne Echerd
Sara Jenne Echerd, an artist who predominately creates floral artworks, completed this massive work on the side of Mud Mamas Studio. Mud Mamas commissioned Echerd to make her building even more beautiful, and she nailed it.
Break Free (2020)
Location: 1042 Old Lenoir Rd, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: James Smith
Break Free, this strong mural of three horses by artist James Smith is on the side of Metcalf’s Hibernation Station. Looking at this mural gives you a sense of these horses breaking all barriers in their path, running to freedom.
Exodus: Strength in Diversity (2020)
Location: 610 Fourth St. SW, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: James Smith
"To celebrate Exodus Homes' commitment to empowering differences in leadership, a new mural called "Strength in Diversity" has been unveiled on the 800-square-foot, north-facing wall of their corporate headquarters at 610 Fourth St. SW in Hickory. The new work of a black hand and a white hand in partnership was proposed and created by well-known mural artist James Smith from Los Angeles who has done other murals around town over the past few years.
Exodus Homes, a faith-based United Way agency that provides supportive housing for homeless recovering people returning to the community from treatment centers and prison, has impacted the community beyond the lives of their residents since their founding in 1998.
Over the years they have reduced neighborhood crime, reduced prison recidivism, Increased the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatment, increased the property value of their neighbors, and increased workforce development in this area. Their work has been celebrated all the way to the White House and one of the keys to their success is their diverse leadership team headed by the Rev. Reggie Longcrier and the Rev. Susan Smith." -History Information from the Hickory Daily Record, Written by The Rev. Susan Smith
Train (2020)
Location: 1500 13th St SW, Hickory, NC 28602
Artist: Charles Kimso
This magnificent train mural was painted by artist and furniture maker Charles Kimso. He painted this mural on the side of his furniture-making shop. This mural incorporates images of factory employees as a tribute to Ellis Mill, which once occupied the building.
Checkers Mural (2023)
Location: 1304 2nd Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Artist: Unkown
Checkers was renovated in 2023 and during this renovation, the owner decided it would be a great way to show how much they love Hickory by incorporating a mural.
The Untouchables (2021)
Location: The original Mural is located in artist McCarty’s home. McCarty’s paintings are part of a recent effort to further preserve Ridgeview’s history. Reproductions of her artwork — funded through a Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Inclusive Public Art Grant secured by the United Arts Council of Catawba County — adorn either side of the blue-and-orange archway that now stands at the entrance of the Panthers’ old home field.
Artist: Adele James McCarty
This mural honors the 1964 “Untouchables” football team who had the perfect season! "In the era before integration, Ridgeview High School’s football team was the pride of Hickory, breaking state records left and right. Today, the remaining players are seeing to it that their legacy is not forgotten." -OurState Magazine To read the rest of their story, click here.
Newton, NC
All murals in Newton are walkable.
Newton Postcard Mural (2021)
Location: Downtown Newton 11 North College Ave., Newton, 28658
Artist: Eron Hare
Photo: City of Newton
The mural in Newton, NC, displays famous locations in Newton and includes some of the city’s history. The mural spells out Newton with scenes of the city inside each letter. The “N” pictures the Woodland Loop Bike Trail at Jacob Fork Park. The “E” shows the old St. Paul’s Church. The “W” is the Newton Depot. The “T” shows various musical instruments and is indicative of the city’s musical past. The “O” pictures the 1924 courthouse, and the final “N” has a weaving loom that is inspired by the city’s historic connection to textiles. Read more Here!
Newton's Patchwork Mural (2023)
Location: Yount Park 33 E A St, Newton, NC 28658
Artist: Osiris Rain
Photo: Catawba County Gov.
Artist Osiris Rain conceived the Yount Park mural in the artistic style of a barn quilt, weaving together a patchwork of natural forms and abstract concepts into a composition that captures the unique essence of Newton. This mural is now the backdrop for Downtown Newton’s revitalized Herbert M. Yount Memorial Park.
Stained Glass on Main (Date Unknown)
Location: 102 NC-16 Business, Newton, NC 28658
Artist: Unknown
This beautifully painted mural reflects other mediums such as stained glass.
Town of Catawba, NC
Welcome to Historic Catawba – Pepsi Mural (2022)
Location: 105 N Main St, Catawba, NC 28609
Artist: Garrett Huffman
Photo: Kim Patterson
The Town of Catawba has a beautiful mural commemorating Pepsi and the wonderful history of The Town of Catawba. While visiting the mural stop into Cherry Pop's Soda Shop which is a 1950s-themed ice cream parlor serving hand-dipped ice cream, waffle cones, milkshakes, sundaes, floats, and frozen lemonades.
Sherrill Tobacco Company (2003)
Location: 100 S Main St, Catawba, NC 28609
Artist: Adele James McCarty
This Sherrill Tobacco Company Mural perseveres the history of Catawba's tobacco industry from the early days.
Claremont, NC
Claremont Mural (Date Unknown)
Location: 4895 S Depot St, Claremont, NC 28610
Artist: Jeremy Sams
The Claremont Mural highlights some of Claremont's hidden gems and historical moments.