Charlottesville’s Murals

Kyle O

Charlottesville is a beautiful city, and many Charlottesville citizens have decided to add to that beauty. How you may ask? Through street art and murals! In Charlottesville, we are so lucky to have a massive amount of amazing street art. CHS freshman Rose O’Shea says the murals “are one of her favorite parts of this city”, and I couldn’t agree more. I want to share a couple of these pieces and the story and the artists behind them. I will not be covering all of the murals because the number is too great, but I will be getting a good couple that I personally really enjoy. 

Senyelesti found at 1801 Broadway Street

This mural was made by Federico Cuatlacuatl, an indigenous artist from Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. His art centers around the ideas of Latinx immigration, social art practice, and cultural sustainability. He got some help on this mural from the Albemarle High School Latinx club, to even further the connection of the piece within the community. The mural is located on the Sun Tribe Solar warehouse in the Woolen Mills neighborhood. Cuatlacuatl explains that the project was intended to bring attention to the indigenous people who lived where Charlottesville is now located. He wanted to communicate the relationship these people had with nature as well, showing how these people had a symbiotic relationship with the earth.

 

Together We Grow found on the side of The Violet Crown, 2nd Street SW

This mural is extra cool because C.H.S students helped to get it done! “Together we grow” was made to honor the life of Mitch Van Yahres. Mitch Van Yahres owned a tree company, was part of the city council for 8 years, was the Mayor of Charlottesville, and had been on the Virginia house of delegates for 25 years. He was known for solving problems, caring for people, as well as playing a large part in the development of the Downtown Mall, and lastly fighting for civil rights and equality for all. The mural was designed by Mitch’s grandson, Jake Van Yahres, an accomplished artist and graphic designer. He designed the mural with the idea that trees grow in all different shapes and sizes and grow much stronger when surrounded by other trees, which is true of human beings as well. This design truly represents what Mitch Van Yahres brought to our city, and his love of the people and his love of trees. The mural was painted by Christy Baker, and Marcelle Van Yahres, one of our beloved C.H.S art teachers, who brought some CHS art students to help out as well. 

Visible Records Murals found on the walls of the Visible Records Art Space at 1740 Broadway Street

This work is actually a series of murals wrapping around the outside of the Visible Records art space. The idea behind the murals was to inspire the people who work in multimedia art at this workspace. The Mural area will be used as an outdoor exhibition area, letting multimedia artists have a way of putting their work out there in Covid times. 

Kingdom Animalia found on West Main Street

This mural depicts an image of many of Virginia’s indigenous animals in a modern fashion, using stylized mint and ultramarine shapes on a white background. It is quite beautiful and I always enjoy driving past it. This work was done by the Portland, Oregon based artist Matt Palmer.

I Love Charlottesville A Lot found on Monticello Road in Belmont on the tire shop

This mural was done by the local artist and taxi cab driver Rick Montoya. His works usually specializes in unique lettering and wordplay. This mural fits right in with the theme, as he used tires for the 3 O’s, and he made it on the side of the Belmont tire shop. 

 

IX Art Park

Last but not least, the amazing IX art park! We are so lucky to have this stunning artistic location in our town. It is chocked full of beautiful murals and art in every direction, and is now seen as an iconic Charlottesville spot. This park is so interesting because it is always evolving, and new art is always being added. This is for sure one of the coolest spots in Charlottesville.

 

The above murals are only scratching the surface of the massive amount of Charlottesville street art that can be found around town, but maybe this will inspire you to look up that mural you pass every once in a while! I can assure you they always have a meaning,and learning about the stories behind them brings me closer to the people of this city and gives more meaning to the streets of Charlottesville.