You don’t have to go to a museum or gallery to enjoy some creative enrichment. In fact, the Raleigh and Durham communities have hundreds of public art projects decorated throughout the area completely free to view outdoors.
According to Americans for the Arts, a city’s aesthetics is one of the top three reasons why residents become attached to the area, and a majority of Americans feel that art unifies communities. With initiatives like Raleigh Arts constantly working to bring color to our concrete jungle, no wonder the 919 has such proud, devoted residents.
These are just a few places where you can find a concentration of murals, installations, and sculptures — all within walking distance — that showcase the pinnacle of the Triangle’s creative community and rich culture.
📍 NCMA
Located around the museum, Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park seamlessly blends nature and art together into an interactive, whimsical 164-acre recreational space. What makes this place so special is that you can touch–and even play on–quite a few of the art pieces found at the park.
Gyre
Artist: Thomas Sayre
Blue Loop | Sculpture
Lowe’s Pavilion
Artists: Mike Cindric and Vincent Petrarca
Blue Loop | Installation
[embed]http://www.instagram.com/p/CHvYu42JRHQ/[/embed]
Collapse I
Artist: Ledelle Moe
Blue Loop | Sculpture
Askew
Artist: Roxy Paine
Outside the West Building | Sculpture
Wind Machine
Artist: Vollis Simpson
Capital Area Greenway | Sculpture
SCULPT. C
Artist: Jaime Hayon
Blue Loop | Installation + sculpture
📍 Downtown Raleigh
There are ~100 pieces of public art spread throughout the downtown area on almost every street. You can look at interactive maps of where to find outdoor art around central Raleigh here and here.
Sonarc
Artist: Brian Brush
99 W. South Street | Light installation
Color Pop Corner
Artist: Lisa Gaither
101 S. Blount Street | Mural + Sculptures
[embed]http://www.instagram.com/p/CAQFFkNnHuS/[/embed]
Fire Escape Maze
Artist: Luke Buchanan
105 W. Hargett Street | Mural
Raleigh
Artist: Scott Nurkin
707 N. West Street | Mural
Abstracted Motion
Artist: Taylor White
410 S. Salisbury Street | Mural + augmented reality
[embed]http://www.instagram.com/p/BtoAH2pnTxm/[/embed]
Hoops Playing Hoops
Artist: Christopher Fennell
1023 Halifax Street | Sculptures
Cree Shimmer Wall
Artist: Thomas Sayre
500 S. Salisbury Street | Mural + installation
📍 UHill Walls
Durham is home to UHill Walls, a walkable public space with 40,000 square feet of murals by 46 different artists sourced locally and globally. The murals are spread around the UHill apartment complex located at 3806 University Drive.
[embed]http://www.instagram.com/p/CFpCrVfH2Co/[/embed]
Cole
Artist: Jeks
Building C | Mural
Divine Sisterhood
Artist: MarkaA27
Building A | Mural
Excuse Me While I Kiss the Sky
Artist: Gina Elizabeth Franco
Building B | Mural
[embed]http://www.instagram.com/p/CHqg0DTgysk/[/embed]
Providers of The Land
Artists: GERALUZ & WERC
Residential Building (D) | Mural
Little Brother
Artist: Darius Quarles
Building A | Mural
Betty Davis
Artist: Scott Nurkin
Building A | Mural
[embed]http://www.instagram.com/p/CFnS8xPnN5B/[/embed]
Contributed by Xenna Smith
