Public art in Downtown Boone enhances the cultural vibrancy of the community, making it a more attractive destination for residents and visitors alike. It fosters a sense of place, creating a unique identity that reflects the town’s history, values, and creativity. By engaging local artists and organizations, public art strengthens community bonds and supports the local economy. Additionally, it promotes tourism and draws attention to Boone’s natural beauty and environmental initiatives, as seen in projects like the Hellbender mural.
Artist Scott Nurkin, Doc and Merle Watson, Completed in 2023
https://www.musicianmuralsproject.com/
Positioned proudly along the NC Musicians Mural Trail in downtown Boone, the striking Doc and Merle Watson mural pays homage to the iconic folk and bluegrass legends whose melodies have left an indelible mark on North Carolina’s musical heritage.
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was a musician, singer and songwriter well known for playing the guitar, banjo and harmonica despite losing his eyesight early in life. He played in amateur music competitions and local radio shows during the early 1940s, earning the nickname “Doc” while playing on the radio in Lenoir. Doc married Rosa Lee Carlton in 1947, continuing to play part-time with local dance bands and on the streets in Boone, Blowing Rock, Johnson City, and other nearby towns throughout the 1950s. The couple had a son, Eddy Merle, and a daughter, Nancy Ellen. In 1960, Doc met musician and folklorist Ralph Rinzier, who immediately saw a chance to showcase traditional mountain music with Watson as the star. Doc would be a full-time professional musician for the rest of his life. Learning guitar from his mother while Doc was on tour, Merle Watson grew to become a musical talent in his own right, and would eventually join his father on tour for more than 20 years until his death in 1985. After the death of his son, Doc continued to share his music with the world and earned seven Grammy Awards, as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Artist Jessie Unterhalter & Katey Truhn, Turchin Center Stairs Mural, Completed in 2020
The installation of the Jessie and Katey stairs mural at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts brought a vibrant and dynamic public art piece to Downtown Boone. Created by the renowned artist duo Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn, the mural transforms the stairwell into a colorful, immersive experience that blends geometric patterns and bold colors. This artwork not only beautifies the space but also invites the community to engage with the arts in a unique and accessible way. The mural has quickly become a beloved visual landmark, enhancing the cultural atmosphere of the downtown area.
Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Website
Artist Josh Johnston, Hellbender Mural, Completed in 2024
https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/about/creative_media/endangered_species_mural_project/
Situated in the vibrant downtown Boone, the Hellbender Mural stands as a striking centerpiece of the International Endangered Species Mural Project by the Center for Biological Diversity. This compelling artwork not only brings attention to the enigmatic hellbender salamander but also underscores the urgent need for conservation of endangered species worldwide, inviting viewers to reflect on the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems.
Hellbenders are the largest salamanders in North America—and one of the most imperiled.
Across the Eastern U.S., their populations have crashed. Fortunately, the Boone area is home to one of the country’s healthiest populations of hellbenders. Boone’s clean rivers and streams are key to hellbenders’ survival.
Fun Facts
Hellbenders breathe through their skin.
Their nicknames include snot otter, lasagna lizard, mud devil, devil dog, mudcat, Allegany alligator, walking catfish.
They can grow more than two feet long and weigh more than four pounds.
Male hellbenders build and guard nests for their fertilized eggs.
Hellbenders can live more than
25 years.
This mural was designed by Josh Johnston and was a collaboration between the Downtown Boone Development Association, Town of Boone, Robin Greene, Watauga Arts Council, MountainTrue, The Center for Biological Diversity.
