Culpeper Walls Mural Program - Culpeper Renaissance, Inc.

Culpeper Downtown Walls Mural Program

The placement of wall murals will enhance the physical appearance and strengthen the sense of place in downtown Culpeper, while capitalizing on some of our assets: history, architecture, countryside and the growth of an arts culture in our community. Murals have become a unique and appealing way of increasing tourism and improving commerce. This project will enhance downtowns inviting atmosphere for new and existing businesses while enticing locals and visitors to make downtown a destination point. The Arts culture is growing in Culpeper and CRI is excited to utilize this growth and establish professional relationships with talented local artists to enhance the beauty of Historic Downtown Culpeper through building wall murals.

The goal for this project is to pictorially preserve and celebrate the art, history and culture of Culpeper while increasing the charm and character of our town for residents and visitors alike. We will take pride in:

Promoting economic development by increasing tourism, business and tax revenues, and property values
Inspiring and energizing our town and uniting our community, organized groups, and businesses by encouraging participation from all ages and walks of life
Beautifying our streets
Create a greater appreciation of the visual arts and our historical roots while establishing the face and identity of Culpeper

CRI is excited to announce the Culpeper Downtown Art in Public Spaces – Power Box Mural Program Coming Spring 2024!

CRI received approval from the Town of Culpeper and the Architectural Review Board to allow CRI to implement the Culpeper Downtown Art in Public Spaces – Power Box Mural Project. Local artists were sought to aesthetically enhance the Culpeper Downtown district. Signal box cabinets are found throughout downtown, and the CRI Design Committee is looking to implement moments of artistic discovery by placing murals on power boxes with works of art by local artists.

CRI solicited proposals from artists, by way of a Request for Proposal (RFP) that was open to all 2-D artists including graphic designers, illustrators, painters, and photographers within 50 miles of the Town of Culpeper. The submitted designs were original artwork.

Five proposals by five different talented local artists were selected by the CRI Design Committee. The power box murals will be located along major corridors of Main, Davis, and Evans Street of the downtown district and are set to be completed in Spring 2024.

“The Surveyor”

The first mural of the Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. (CRI) Culpeper Downtown Walls Mural Program was completed on Friday, August 25, 2017, by artists Tom and Kerri Mullany of Mullany Art Studios. Located at on the wall at West Cameron and Main streets, “The Surveyor” features George Washington, the surveyor, in a larger than life form. In addition to CRI’s fundraising efforts to complete the first two mural installations of the program, CRI received a matching Downtown Improvement Grant by Virginia Main Street and the Department of Housing and Community Development (Downtown Improvement Grant) in the amount of $5,000.

“Yowell Hardware Co. Historic Signage”

The second mural of the Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. Culpeper Downtown Mural Program was completed on Friday, June 8, 2018, Walter W. Burton of Reva, VA. Walter used his talent and experience of 28 years of fine art endeavors including the study and practice of hand lettering and hand painted commercial graphics in public and private spaces to preserve, refresh and revive painted Historical Signage on brick building facade located at 195 East Davis Street, in historic downtown Culpeper . The updated signage is refreshed for all to enjoy while keeping the historic and vintage look.

“The Trailblazers”

Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. (CRI), Windmore Foundation for the Arts, and Culpeper downtown property and business owner, Brian Lam, partnered for the placement of the 3rd mural installation of CRI’s Culpeper Downtown Walls Mural Program.

Partnering organizations, community members, town and county representatives, and family and friends of those depicted in the mural, gathered to celebrate the completion of “The Trailblazers” mural by local artist and freelance illustrator, Layton Scarbrough on Sunday, June 12, 2022. “The Trailblazers” mural can be found at 254 E. Davis Street in historic downtown Culpeper.

As these figures came to life through Mr. Scarbrough’s work, the location of ‘The Trailblazers’ mural, on the 200 block of East Davis Street, is what makes this mural complete. This area, once referred to as The Wharf and Fishtown for the Friday and Saturday fish fries, housed a thriving African American commercial and residential community post-Civil War.

In addition to Mr. Scarbrough’s vision, many other hands played a part in bringing this much needed mural to fruition in Culpeper Downtown. Brian Lam, owner of Collage Spa, stated “community, art and history are part of our Collage Spa brand values. We are so happy to collaborate with CRI and artist, Layton Scarbrough, on the mural project. The mural highlights and honors key African American Culpeper leaders. It makes their legacy visible and gives a sense of place for the present and future.” Mr. Lam, in part, was able to play a key role in the mural project after applying for and being awarded a $2,500 Culpeper Downtown Micro Marketing Leverage Grant, a partnered program through the Town of Culpeper Tourism and Economic Development, Culpeper Renaissance, Inc and the Virginia Main Street program through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. In addition, CRI and Windmore Foundation for the Arts allocated additional funding for mural expenses.

Culpeper’s African American citizens that made a significant impact on our community:

Henry Lightfoot, Culpeper’s first African American town councilman, as well as owner and operator of Lightfoot’s Grocery in the building where the mural is located
Elijah Barber, Culpeper’s first African American physician
Ruby Beck, female owner and operator of Boxwood House Restaurant and Motel
Roscoe Ford, Culpeper’s first African American police officer
John Preston “Pete” Hill, a Culpeper native and talented baseball player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006
Ella Drumgoole, the first female police officer in the Town of Culpeper
A single soldier from the United States Colored Troops, representing the approximately 120 African American men who left Culpeper to join the Union Army.

“A Song to Share”

The fourth mural of the Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. Culpeper Downtown Mural Program was completed on Friday, October 19, 2023, by local artist and freelance illustrator, Layton Scarbrough.

A Song to Share depicts a woman standing in the wind surrounded by and releasing cardinals. She wears a flower crown made of Virginia’s state flower, the dogwood. The mural is meant to signify that we all have a song to share with the world, whether it’s our talents, our passions, our voices, or our actions. Just as cardinals sing their songs without fear or hesitation, so should we.

Murals serve an important role in historic downtown Culpeper, as they not only enhance the physical appearance of our community, but they provide deeper historical content for both longtime residents and tourists alike.

The placement of wall murals enhances the aesthetic appeal and strengthen the sense of place in Culpeper downtown, while capitalizing on some of our community’s assets: history, architecture, countryside, and the growth of an arts culture in our community. Murals have become a unique and appealing way of increasing tourism and improving commerce. This project enhances downtown’s inviting atmosphere for new and existing businesses while enticing locals and visitors to make downtown a destination point.