A Walking Tour of Lynchburg’s Public Art
By: Olivia Carter | Photos By: Ashlee Glen
Once upon a time in Lynchburg, there were no murals, no public art, simply blank spaces everywhere. Today, the reality couldn’t be more different. Schools, theatres, businesses, apartments, and even parking garages are bursting with creativity and color. Today, we can find these pops of colorful art all around the city, and even by foot. No admission at the door.
Art Alley
The Downtown Lynchburg Association (DLA) officially opened Art Alley on Oct. 1, 2021, in downtown Lynchburg. Located at the intersection of Commerce and 11th Street, this once blank canvas in the heart of the city was transformed into a vibrant alleyway for locals and visitors to enjoy. The space now serves as one of several entrances to the Bluffwalk and has been upgraded into an inviting gateway to this popular public amenity. The goal in creating Art Alley was to revitalize an overlooked area and establish it as a dynamic public art destination.
Art Alley features work from a variety of regional artists and is designed to draw visitors while supporting nearby local businesses.
The Academy Center of the Arts Mural
This mural was painted in 2013 by artist Megan Wells and remains on the Academy’s gallery and office building along Main Street in Lynchburg. The 131-foot by 51-foot mural is one of many large-scale works of modern art that have become part of the downtown landscape. Chosen for its depiction of Lynchburg’s arts, nature, and culture, the mural took Wells most of the spring of 2013 to complete.
She incorporated timeless symbols such as the cardinal and dogwood flowers, representing Virginia’s state bird and flower, as well as a musician to reflect Lynchburg’s live music scene and a silhouette of the downtown cityscape.
The mural, often referred to as the “LYH” mural, was designed to reflect the vibrancy of Lynchburg and the surrounding region, according to Lynchburg’s tourism website.
Unspoken Vibes
Located on 13th Street on the side of the Craft Crucible building, Christina Davis originally painted a mural entitled “Make Waves” in this space. Davis’s “Make Waves” stood as a vibrant tribute to Black women in Lynchburg—bold, larger-than-life, and a powerful celebration of creativity and resilience. It quickly became a local landmark.
In a transformative follow-up, the mural was reimagined as “Unspoken Vibes.”
This updated piece bursts with jewel-toned energy and sunshine, now conveying a message of happiness and optimism. Davis described it as “another shout‑out to the women of Lynchburg breaking barriers, enriching culture, and inspiring the next generation,” expressing art’s ability to be “silent, but yet very loud.
Cityscape on the Bluffwalk Steps
The Cityscape on Lower Bluffwalk is especially striking when illuminated at night. This piece spans the length of the Lower Bluffwalk 11th Street Terrace steps and ramp, showcasing a depiction of the downtown skyline.
Commissioned in the spring of 2014 by Lynch’s Landing—now known as DLA—the Cityscape was part of the Lower Bluffwalk art plan aimed at enhancing the area’s visual appeal. The work was created by local artist Paul Clements, who is also known for designing the LOVEworks sculpture located at the Percival’s Island trailhead.
Helping Hands Mural
Located at the corner of 9th and Commerce Streets, this mural was created in memory of Bev Cosby, a prominent minister and advocate for social change during the 1950s and 1960s. Painted in 2004 by artist Michael Cooper, the mural measures 25 feet by 50 feet and was completed in just 10 days.
The hands depicted in the mural are modeled after the hands of individuals who were close to Reverend Cosby, symbolizing the power of collaboration and community.
Amazement Square Parking Lot Mosaic
Located near Amazement Square at Jefferson and 9th Streets, this expansive mosaic mural was part of the CityArts Mosaic Mural Project and was unveiled in November 2012. What makes this project unique is that it was created entirely by students from across Central Virginia, under the guidance of professional artist Beryl Solla. The project spanned multiple summers, offering students a hands-on opportunity to contribute to public art.
Covering more than 4,800 square feet, the mural is one of the largest in Virginia and depicts the history of Central Virginia—from the era of the Monacan Indian Nation to present day.
Water Bearer Statue on the Bluffwalk
This bronze statue, located on the Lower Bluffwalk at 12th Street in Lynchburg, just above the James River, originally appeared in 1883 atop the Clay Street Reservoir, serving as Lynchburg’s first piece of public art. Crafted from zinc and ordered from a catalog, it commemorated the reservoir’s filling thanks to a new dam across the James River. Over time, the zinc figure weathered and collapsed under its own weight (an estimated 300–400 pounds) and shattered. In 2013 locals began efforts to revive it; rather than repairing the fragile original, sculptor Ken Faraoni recast the statue in bronze, a two-year, challenging endeavor.
The newly cast bronze statue was unveiled in summer 2015 as part of the $5.8 million Bluffwalk pedestrian project. The Lynchburg Historical Foundation and Save Our Sculpture committee raised funds—about $35,000 to $40,000—to support the restoration.
Midtown Outdoor Gallery
Located at 2520 Fort Avenue, the Midtown Outdoor Art Gallery (MOAG) features several striking outdoor art installations, including the nationally recognized mural “Make Waves” by artist Christina Davis, and the gallery’s newest addition, “American Woman?” by local artist Michelline Hall.
The gallery was the vision of Randy Smith, owner of the creative collective Craft Crucible. His goal in establishing MOAG was to expand the presence of public art and murals beyond downtown, bringing artistic vibrancy to Lynchburg’s midtown area. “American Woman?” is a series of stylized portraits of Black and brown women that explore themes of identity, culture, ancestry, and beauty standards, as described in Hall’s artist statement. The installation spans a 120-foot-long wall on the backside of a commercial building, providing an expansive canvas for the display of 10 large-scale photographs. Each image is mounted on 4-by-8-foot frames and fully exposed to the elements.
“You Matter” Mural
Located on Jefferson Street, this mural was unveiled in May 2022 by Lynchburg’s Mayor’s Youth Council as part of their #YouMatter series. Positioned across from the skatepark near Amazement Square and best viewed from the entrance to the Blackwater Creek Trail, the colorful mural features radiating stripes with the uplifting phrase “You Matter” prominently displayed. Designed to destigmatize youth anxiety and stress, it encourages mental health awareness, sends a reminder that “it’s ok not to be all right,” and promotes community support.
The Midtown Parking Deck Murals
Located in downtown Lynchburg at the corner of 10th and Commerce Streets, these murals were completed in 2022 by DLA. The murals transformed the formerly plain, gray structure with vibrant art across its four levels. The project wanted to achieve two goals: enliven downtown’s visual landscape and promote awareness of a free parking deck available during nights and weekends. The mural has two design themes: geometric patterns and floral motifs.
It was completed by a volunteer team—including community members, artists, families, and DLA staff—who collectively spent around 200 hours painting after 200 hours for planning and prep.
Starry Night Ceiling Mural
Bobby Fuller completed this mural at 1024 Main Street and it can best be viewed by looking upwards to the ceiling of the entranceway where visitors will see a serene, starry night sky. Right next door is his Free Clinic Mural at 1016 Main Street.
In a 2017 Lynchburg Living feature, Fuller talked about his nickname, “Bartertown Bobby,” stating that it’s a stage name that comes from him being a drifter and wanderer.
“I’ve never really had a home or have been accepted,” he said. “I wanted to have my own town so I created one. Kind of like a place where I’m welcome and people like me, even if I’m the only one.”
City Auditorium Murals
These murals at 1112 Main Street were completed in 2022 by Stephen Kissel and commissioned by DLA as part of its Placemaking Initiative to revitalize and enliven underused public spaces.
Kissel, known for his roots in graphic design and illustration, has been active in the local arts scene for years, including leading public collaborations and participating in projects like “Art on Main.” The murals inject a bold, cartoon-inspired energy into the facade, adding playful pops of color to the auditorium building. The artwork transforms the space with visual storytelling through stylized characters and color-rich scenes.
Creating Our Culture Mural
This mural at 1217 Main Street was completed in 2022 by artists Christina Davis, Twon Smith, and Jawansa Hall and was commissioned by Downtown Lynchburg Association. Designed to promote, elevate, and raise awareness of Lynchburg’s artists of color, the mural includes a QR code linking to a dedicated website featuring the work and stories of eight local BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists.
5th Street Stairs
At the intersection of Fifth Street and Rivermont Ave, these stairs connect Rivermont Avenue to the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance building.
Best viewing is to stand at the foot of the stairs and look both down and up to appreciate the full artistic effect—the river flows up the risers toward Rivermont.
This mural was completed in 2019 by Vector Space’s Public Art Camp students under the guidance of local artists Nugent Koscielny and Elise Spontarelli. Six teens participated in a week-long summer camp where they collaborated on designing and painting the artwork and even helped catalogue public art in downtown. They chose a theme tied to the nearby James River, mirroring its flow on the stairs with scenes of sunset, Blue Ridge Mountains, animals, and clouds.
5th Street Mural
Located at 605 Fifth Street, this mural was also completed by Christina Davis in 2023. Vector Space along with the Fifth Street Community Development Corporation, DLA, University of Lynchburg, and the City of Lynchburg collaborated to bring this mixed media piece of art to life. Davis was joined by University of Lynchburg art students who added metal elements to the work.
The mural honors the contributions of employed workers and community members in the 5th Street neighborhoods. Their work includes hairdressers, gardeners, educators, and artists.
Downtown Lynchburg Mural
Located at 522 Fifth Street, this vibrant, postcard-style mural was completed in 2018 by artist Arnulfo Jacinto in collaboration with local business owner Jason Arbusto. Inspired by 1940s postcard designs, the mural spells out “Lynchburg” in bold, block letters. Each letter is filled with iconic city imagery, ranging from local landmarks and landscapes to cultural symbols such as Monument Terrace, Amazement Square, Point of Honor, and the LOVE sign at Percival’s Island.
Walking Route Overview
• From the river’s end of downtown, start at the Amazement Square Mosaic and “You Matter” mural on Jefferson Street near Blackwater Creek Trail
• Head to 9th & Commerce to view the Helping Hands mural
• Walk north along Commerce to Midtown Parking Deck murals (10th & Commerce)
• Head east to Art Alley (Commerce & 11th), Bluffwalk Cityscape, and the Water Bearer statue (11th & 12th St)
• Walk south along Main Street: Academy Center, Starry Night, City Auditorium, Creating Our Culture
• Head southwest down 5th Street for Downtown Lynchburg, 5th Street, and Madison murals, as well as the 5th Street stairs
• Then head northeast to 13th Street for Unspoken Vibes and Craft Crucible
• From there, walk or drive to Midtown Outdoor Gallery (2520 Fort Ave)
