Lynchburg, VA: Public Art Tour
Unlike other communities where art is siloed to one area of town, creative works can be seen all over Lynchburg, VA. From the painted streets of Art Alley to murals adorning local businesses (like Jen Gilley’s new mural at Palmera House on Bedford Avenue in the Rivermont District), art beautifies this city and draws its residents together.
“Public art speaks to how much people care about where they live,” says Ted Delaney, director of the Lynchburg Museum System. “To me, it’s a good measure of community health and community vitality.”
To experience Lynchburg, VA’s thriving arts scene for yourself, here is a list you can use to take a self-guided tour of some of the city’s many public art offerings.
In This Article
Crosswalk Mural
A crosswalk at 12th and Monroe streets shines bright with shades of purple, white and gold and features the word “Dunbar.” It’s the vision of creative arts students and teachers at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School for Innovation.
*Local tip: Within the mural is a phrase from a poem written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the school’s namesake. Make sure to check it out!
Thornhill Statue
A life-size bronze statue of M.W. Thornhill, Jr., the first African American mayor of Lynchburg, is in the center of the Fifth Street roundabout. Thornhill served from 1990 to 1992. The statue was unveiled in August of 2023.
Creating Our Culture Mural
Located at 1225 Main St. downtown, this piece was created by artist and teacher Christina Davis in celebration of Lynchburg’s multicultural landscape. Scan the QR code in the mural to explore a webpage featuring eight artists of color from Lynchburg. The striking primary colors splashed across the building are evocative of Lynchburg’s vibrant atmosphere.
“We’re moving forward, and we keep adding new colors each year,” Davis says. “Lynchburg doesn’t need to stay the same to be great.”
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CityArts Mosaic Mural
This gorgeous 4,800-square-foot tile mural, located across from Amazement Square, brings color and vitality to Jefferson Street. It highlights different time periods, as it features the city’s riverfront before the European contact period and a view of Lynchburg in the future. It is part of Amazement Square’s CityArts Mentoring Program, which was started in 2002 to provide mentoring experiences to at-risk and underserved youth through art.
Water Bearer Statue
The noble bronze statue standing watch over the Lower Bluffwalk, a series of walkways, overlooks, trails and staircases that connect Jefferson and Commerce streets, has a long history in Lynchburg. Installed in 1883 at the Clay Street Reservoir, the zinc statue was the first piece of public art to adorn Lynchburg, VA, but it slowly deteriorated over time. To ensure the sculpture’s longevity, local sculptor Ken Faraoni recast the figure in bronze. The elegant Egyptian statue was reinstalled along the Lower Bluffwalk in 2015, where it stands today.
Bees in the Burg Sculptures
Don’t be shocked if you come across bronze bees that could fit in the palm of your hand scattered across Lynchburg. These small sculptures are part of an art project by Paul Clements in collaboration with the Lynchburg Garden Club. Tucked into 12 locations across the city, each bee comes with a QR code that includes information on native pollinator plants that you can plant in your own yard to help support the bee population.
*Local tip: Check out the map provided by the Lynchburg Garden Club and embark on a scavenger hunt to find all 12 bees.
LOVE Sculpture
One of the most iconic features of Lynchburg, the LOVE sculpture by Paul Clements embodies the state motto, “Virginia is for lovers.” Its bold red lettering makes it an ideal spot for a commemorative photo. The sculpture also pays tribute to different facets of Lynchburg’s outdoor scene; each letter is adorned with items like oars, footprints and bicycle wheels.
*Local tip: One of the bronze Bees in the Burg is hidden near this sign.
Unspoken Vibes Mural
Artist Christina Davis, who is also responsible for the Creating Our Culture mural, painted this striking piece on the Craft Crucible building in Midtown after being asked by the owner. It represents the women of Lynchburg who are breaking barriers and inspiring the younger generation.
For Davis, public art is an important means of expression in any community.
“I’ve always loved the fact that art was a silent way of being very loud in a visual way about what you value in your community,” she says.
Hill City Keys Project
This unique art installation brings an interactive component to the public arts scene in Lynchburg, VA. Eight pianos, each painted by different artists and located at outdoor spots throughout the city, are free for the public to play. This vibrant blend of art and music brings a lively atmosphere to Lynchburg, VA. Founded by Libby Fitzgerald, the Hill City Keys project celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024.
Art Alley
There is art on every surface of Art Alley, even on the road beneath your feet. This ever-changing installation is one of the entrances to the Bluffwalk, allowing visitors to slow down, look around and enjoy all of the colors. The alley features art from 14 different artists across Central Virginia, creating an open-air gallery in the heart of the city.
*Local tip: Continue through Art Alley to enjoy a stroll along the Bluffwalk.
This article is sponsored by the City of Lynchburg offices of Economic Development & Tourism and Communications & Public Engagement.