Public Art & Murals
Take a walking tour of the colorful murals throughout Lincolnton. Since the beginning of time, murals have told stories of the world's history and its people, from cave drawings by ancient cultures to ornate paintings in the world's most iconic destinations, and the small spaces in between. Our town boasts a series of murals that speak to our history, our beauty, and our love of the arts. Lincolnton is a historic town with a creative future. We welcome you and hope that you will take a tour of our public art!
Clive Haynes repainted the Coca-Cola advertisement on the east side of the Edwards building in 2011. This project was supported by a façade grant from the City of Lincolnton and Ann Ford, the building's owner.
Address
602 E Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
"Threshing Grain" was painted by Richard H. Jansen in 1938. The mural measures 14 feet wide by 4 feet, 6 inches high with a total approximate area of 63 square feet. Jansen used the medium oil on canvas, and completed the mural in 232 calendar days. Jansen painted "Threshing Grain" in his studio in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The mural was later transported on canvas to Lincolnton by train. The subject matter has a local theme. In a handwritten letter dated September 18, 1937, Jansen suggested an agricultural theme "...as I felt I couldn't go wrong, since the town is certainly bound up with the county around it." Though grain was and still is cultivated in Lincoln County, one must speculate the wheat grown in Wisconsin and the Great Plains influenced Jansen's creative process. Jansen received $610 for painting the Lincolnton mural. On June 9, 1938, Postmaster J.F. Seagle announced in the Lincoln County News the mural's placement in the west end of the building and its depiction of a rural Lincoln County scene.
On Wednesday, August 10, 2005, the Lincoln County Historical Association, U.S. Postal Service, and members of Lincoln County's arts and cultural community gathered at the Lincolnton Post Office to rededicate the "Threshing Grain" mural painted by Richard H. Jansen. The dedication commemorated the artistic merits of the mural's artist, the conservation efforts of the Association and the numerous project contributors, and the attendance of the artist's stepson, Henry DeMeritte. Organizers and participants celebrated the hard work, dedication, and commitment to art, history and preservation exhibited by the Association's staff, board of directors, and volunteers. Sparked by the interest of an inquisitive Lincolntonian, the Association successfully preserved for posterity one of nation's most cherished works of public art.
During 2000, Lincolnton newcomer Mike Ottinger took notice of the faded mural while standing in line in the Lincolnton Post Office. Participating in Leadership Lincoln, a joint program between the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce and Gaston College, Ottinger became very interested in Lincolnton and Lincoln County history, specifically the post office mural. He contacted museums, libraries, and family members in Madison, Wisconsin, home of the artist, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. After three months of extensive research, Ottinger submitted an article to the Lincoln Times-News outlining the U.S. Postal Service's New Deal Arts Collection, the mural's subject, a short biography of the artist, and information on the artist's later works. Lincoln County received Ottinger's article with open arms, but failed to take the project to the next level: restoration.
Over the next three years, Mike Ottinger became a very active member of the Lincoln County Historical Association and discussed the mural and its restoration with Association executive director Jason L. Harpe. After much discussion and planning, Harpe contacted Dalan Wordekemper, USP.S. Federal Preservation Officer, in November 2003 to inquire about the proper steps to begin the process of restoring the mural to its original state. Wordekemper contacted Doris Reed, Lincolnton Postmaster, to explain to the project and its significance, and delegated the leadership of the project to Harpe and Reed. Harpe consulted with two conservation firms for quotes on the mural's restoration and decided in favor of Parma Conservation of Chicago, Illinois. After the initial visit from staff of Parma Conservation, Harpe began the fundraising effort to raise $6,400 to properly restore the mural. Between January and August 2004, Harpe and the Association successfully raised the necessary funds. Thanks to a $3,400 contribution from the USP.S. and contributions from over 20 individuals and businesses in Lincoln County, Parma Conservation began the restoration in August 2004.
Address
326 E Main Street - Inside the Post Office
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Ty Hobson painted the mural on the west side of the Anderson Building in 2015. This project was supported by a façade grant from the City of Lincolnton, a grassroots grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, and John Anderson, the building's owner. The mural features three train cars spotlighting textiles and Catawba Valley pottery.
Address
233 E Main Street - on the Rail Trail
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Website
The Carpenter Cabs advertising repaint was painted by Ritchie Rhyne in 2017 and was supported by the City of Lincolnton.
Address
203 S Academy Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Clive Haynes repainted the Piedmont Cigarettes advertisement on the south side of the building where Trim Barber Shop is located in 2011. This project was supported by a façade grant from the City of Lincolnton and Rondel and Becky Burke, the building's owner. Historically, Piedmont Cigarettes advertisements featured a card of a professional baseball player. For this project, we chose to feature Tony Cloninger, Lincoln County native and former professional baseball player, on the baseball card.
Address
119 S Academy Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Webpage
Clive Haynes painted the Pepsi-Cola advertisement on the south side of the building where the Good Neighbor Shop is located in 2012. This project was supported by the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Lincoln Class of 2012.
Address
Water Street and Academy Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Address
152 E Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Painted by Richie Rhyne in 2017 and supported by the City of Lincolnton.
Address
125 E Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Joe McKinney painted the mural on the east side of the Lincoln Times-News building in 2017. This project was supported by the City of Lincolnton, and spotlights iron production, the first big industry in Lincoln County.
Address
119 W Water Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Bridget Paysour painted this mural, located in the Citizens Center. The mural is based on the Battle of Ramsour's Mill.
Ty Hobson is painting small murals in the lower windows of the Hoyle building. The small murals depict a train moving along tracks through different geographic settings in North Carolina.
Address
233 E Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton, Inc. unveiled its first mural in an interactive art project called "Open Wings, Open Heart." A set of butterfly wings is on display in the tunnel on the Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail under East Main Street. The idea of "Open Wings, Open Heart" comes from yoga: when you open your arms and spread them like wings, it's essentially a heart opener, promoting forgiveness, and kindness; things that we all desperately need more of right now. The project was funded by a matching grant from the Arts Council of Lincoln County and supported by the City Of Lincolnton.
Address
233 E Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
The Dragon Wing mural is the second interactive mural The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton, Inc. unveiled as part of the interactive art project called "Open Wings, Open Heart." The dragon wings join a set of butterfly wings on display in the tunnel on the Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail under East Main Street. The idea of "Open Wings, Open Heart" comes from yoga: when you open your arms and spread them like wings, it's essentially a heart opener, promoting forgiveness, and kindness; things that we all desperately need more of right now. The project was funded by a matching grant from the Arts Council of Lincoln County and supported by the City Of Lincolnton.
Address
233 E Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092
Address
202 E Main Street
Lincolnton, NC 28092