We all know that Asheville has a vibrant art scene — and we’re not just talking about the Asheville Art Museum or Tyger Tyger. One of our all-time favorite galleries? Asheville itself.
The Land of the Sky is home to a number of meaningful murals and street art pieces. Today, we’re sharing where to find 21 pieces that really paint a picture of our city.
Eres un Orgullo Latino, 148 Hilliard Ave. | By Leslie Reynalte-Llanco
The bright purple mural was the first installment of Buncombe County’s Creative Equity Mural Project. It depicts community members including a grandparent, graduates, and a child wondering "¿Que quiero ser?” — “What do I want to be?”
Untitled, 61 Biltmore Ave. | By Scott Allred of Brushcan
This is one you’ll have to see IRL to appreciate its sheer size. Dubbed the tallest mural in NC, this mural outside the Moxy Hotel depicts a cascading waterfall, with barrels and distillers to celebrate the area’s liquor industry. Allred also creates stellar signs and window designs for local businesses like The Smokin’ Onion and Chemist Spirits.
Rebuild, 205 College St. | By Gabriel Eng-Goetz
As the second mural completed in the county’s Creative Equity Mural Project, this piece on the courthouse side of the Register of Deeds building honors Asheville’s historically Black neighborhoods with their names written on the ribbons running across the mural. Plus, the coin in the nest represents The Block and the pencil symbolizes the work of Black educators at Stephens-Lee High School.
Bonus: See Gabriel Eng-Goetz speak about the importance of public art in a recent feature with PBS NC.
Greetings from Asheville, NC, 665 Haywood Rd. | By Steen Jones
This American traditional tattoo-style mural is on the side of the soon-to-open Traveler Tattoo shop. If you’re into the paint job, check out the work of the tattoo artists at the shop.
Untitled, 1388 Patton Ave. | By Kathryn Crawford
Every piece of Kathryn Crawford’s art is a stunner, from the skull adorned with flowers outside Good Hot Fish to the facade of the NC Glass Center. But this doggone cute and colorful mural on Patton Avenue Pet’s West Asheville location is a favorite of ours.
Untitled, 27 Foundy St., Ste. 10 | By Jerry Cahill
The artwork gracing Foundation Studios is just as entrancing as the art on the inside. Bonus: Cahill has more art in Foundation and also created the iconic cat mural on the side of Biscuit Head’s West Asheville location.
This is a Positive Sign, Carolina Lane | By Peter Parpan for The Booth Fairy Project
If you’re looking for a sign, this is it. Parpan also recently worked with The Booth Fairy Project to paint the “Take a Deep Breath” mural in the Haywood Road parking area near Universal Joint.
Fender Bender, off Lyman Street in the River Arts District | By Jerkface
One of RAD’s most iconic pieces, this mural by NYC artist Jerkface features a mashup of Homer Simpson and Futurama’s Bender.
Hello Asheville, 101 Biltmore Ave. | By Gus Cutty
Gus Cutty brought the funk to the legendary Orange Peel back in February 2020 when he added the inimitable Lionel Richie to the side of the building. DYK the crooner played at that spot back in the day when he was the frontman for the Commodores?
Catawba Falls, Battery Park and Wall St. | By Ian Wilkinson
Muralist Ian Wilkerson transformed this space into a veritable oasis by painting the brilliant beauty of Catawba Falls onto a downtown stairwell that connects Battery Park Avenue and Wall Street.
Mellow Mushroom, 50 Broadway St. | By Kathryn Crawford and Gus Cutty
Frequent collaborators Kathryn Crawford and Gus Cutty gussied up the back of the Mellow Mushroom building with this bold floral piece in September 2022.
Lexington Avenue Gateway Mural, I-240 bridges over Broadway Avenue | By Arts2People’s Asheville Mural Project
Covering the six supporting concrete piers of the I-240 bridges over downtown’s Broadway Avenue, these murals showcase Asheville’s music, agriculture, and noteworthy locals, while injecting some flavor into your commute or stroll.
Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd. | By Gus Cutty
This stunning 3D mural from Gus Cutty at looks as if a lush forest is growing out of the building.
Triangle Park Mural, the intersection of Sycamore Alley and South Market Street | By Molly Must + members of nonprofit Just Folks
These colorful, collaborative community murals at Triangle Park in The Block celebrate and pay homage to Black Asheville’s historic business district.
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, 225 Patton Ave. | By Brian Peterson
This heartwarming piece, created by Los Angeles-based artist Brian Peterson, honors the service and mission of Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, which provides food, clothing + overnight shelter to unhoused folks and those struggling with addiction and other crises.
Land of the Cherokee, 46 Aston St. | By Indigenous Walls Project
Jared Wheatley of the Indigenous Walls Project created this piece using the Cherokee syllabary with the goal of highlighting land that originally belonged to the Cherokee people.
Reparations, 508 Haywood Rd. | By Donnie Destro + Ian Wilkinson
This collaborative piece uses tropical scenery and the brilliant colors of a sunset to make the case for reparations.
Dolly and RuPaul, 783 Haywood Rd. | By Gus Cutty
Dolly Parton was paired with the only other icon worth her weight in wigs, drag performer + singer RuPaul when Gus Cutty finished his addition to the mural on the side of West Asheville’s Beauty Parade in April 2021.
Waterspider, 95 Broadway St. | By @vyalone of the Indigenous Walls Project
This colorful piece tells the story of the Cherokee fire creation, when the first fire embers were brought to the people by a waterspider after previous animals failed.
Joan of Arc (Ella), 257 Haywood Rd. | By Ian Wilkinson
While this West Asheville mural is widely regarded as Joan of Arc, Ian says it’s a tribute to his daughter Ella. We especially love the inspirational text in the bottom right corner encouraging female empowerment, which includes the words “Arm her with freedom” and “Foster her strength.”
Hi-Wire Brewing, 197 Hilliard Ave. | By Ian Wilkinson
This piece, located along the South Slope Mural Trail, was created to look like a colorful circus tent.
Pro tip: If you want to hear about the stories behind some of Asheville’s most iconic street art, you can embark on a tour with Mountain Mural Tours.
