Durham murals: Vibrant expressions of the Bull City's soul

Murals are a powerful form of public art that can transform spaces, inspire communities and tell stories. Durham is home to a thriving mural scene, with images that reflect Durham's diversity, culture and history and play an important role in making the city a more vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and visit.

Durham's monumental murals, from the Durham Civil Rights Mural to the Duke Free Expression Tunnel Murals, can be found splashed across walls, buildings and alleyways throughout the city. These artworks offer a glimpse into the hearts and minds of Durham residents and serve as a powerful reminder of the city's unique identity.

Some murals feature portraits of notable Durham residents, such as civil rights leader Pauli Murray and tobacco magnate Julian Carr. Others depict scenes from Durham's past and present, such as the tobacco industry, the civil rights movement and the city's growing tech scene.

Here are a few of the most popular murals in Durham:

Durham Civil Rights Mural: This mural at the Durham Arts Council, at 110 Morris Street, portrays pivotal moments in Durham's civil rights movement. Local artists, including Brenda Miller Holmes and Dr. Benjamin Speller of North Carolina Central University, created it in 2013.

Durham Blues Legends: This mural outside The Blue Note Grill at 709 Washington Street, celebrates Durham's storied blues heritage. It portrays three of the city's most iconic blues musicians: Blind Boy Fuller, Reverend Blind Gary Harris and John Dee Holeman.

Grab Life by the Horns: This two-story-tall bull mural in Alley 26 off Parrish Street is a popular photo spot and a testament to Durham's love for its mascot.

Satellite Park Murals: Satellite Park at the Duke Arts Annex at 404 Gattis Street, features murals celebrating Durham's diversity and creativity, such as Michael Brown's "The Spirit of Durham" and Matthew Willey's "The Bull Pen."

Durham Convention Center Garage Door Murals: These murals, painted by artists Cornelio Campos and Cecilia Lueza, are inspired by the work of Frida Kahlo. They are a beautiful and eye-catching addition to the city's downtown area located near 198 E. Chapel Hill Street.

Pauli Murray: This mural of Pauli Murray, a Bull City local who championed gender equality and assisted in desegregating schools, is located at 313 Foster St. in Durham. The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University organized the mural, working closely with the Southwest Central Quality of Life Project. This organization represents six neighborhoods of southwest central Durham and is dedicated to improving the lives of its residents.

Swarm: The Swarm mural on the west wall of the Burt's Bees headquarters building on the American Tobacco Campus is a vibrant and colorful depiction of a swarm of bees. The mural was created in 2016 by artist Matthew Willey, the founder of the Good of the Hive Initiative.

Ninth Street Bakery: Scott Nurkin's bright and cheerful mural at Ninth Street Bakery, located at 136 E. Chapel Hill St., celebrates the bakery's commitment to using locally milled organic flour. The mural depicts the bakery's sourcing and baking process, from the harvesting of wheat to the baking of fresh bread. It is a reminder of the care and attention that goes into each baked good at Ninth Street Bakery.

Here Comes the Sun: The Here Comes the Sun mural, painted by Karen Perkins, is on the corner of East Main and North Church streets. Originally painted in the 1970s and restored in the 1990s, this iconic mural adds a touch of sunshine to any day.

Two Way Bridges: The Two-Way Bridges mural, or Puentes de Doble Via, is a collaborative work created by Duke students and visiting artists. It is located at 800 W. Main St. The mural celebrates the link between Duke University and the Latino communities in Durham.

The Along the way: Snapping!, Crackling!, and Popping! Crosswalks in Durham are a colorful and whimsical addition to the city's streets. The crosswalks are located at three different intersections:

• American Tobacco Campus at Blackwell and Vivian streets
• Connecting the Durham Armory to the Durham Marriott City Center on Foster Street.
• Durham Central Park at the Farmers Market crossing on Foster Street.

The crosswalks were designed by local artist Mary Carter Taub, who was inspired by the Rice Krispies cereal characters Snap, Crackle and Pop. The crosswalks comprise a series of colorful geometric shapes, each with a different design.

J. Cole mural: The mural in Durham is a striking tribute to the Fayetteville-born rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Located at UHILL Walls, a "walkable public art experience" in the University Hill neighborhood, the mural was created by Greensboro-based artist Jeks, who is known for his highly visual and detailed displays of hip-hop musicians and other subjects.

History of Murals in Durham

Murals have been a part of Durham's history since the early 1900s. Some of the first murals were used to promote businesses and civic pride, such as the "Welcome to Durham" mural painted in 1920.

In the 1970s, murals began to be used as a tool for social change. Several murals were painted in Durham to celebrate the city's African-American community and its civil rights history, such as the "Black Pride" mural painted in 1971.

In the 1990s, there was a surge in popularity for murals in Durham. New murals were painted throughout the city, including the "Wall of History" mural, which depicts Durham's history from the Native American era to the present day.

Murals have played an important role in shaping the cultural identity of Durham. They have served as a way to celebrate the city's history, culture and diversity. Murals have also been used to raise awareness of social issues and to inspire change.