South Slope
Mural Trail

South Slope Mural Trail

A self-guided tour of Asheville’s South Slope cultural district with an eye for the art and artists that make this place shine.

South Slope MuralThe South Slope Mural Trail was created in collaboration with the Asheville Downtown Association Foundation, Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau and the South Slope Neighborhood Association to highlight the creativity of Asheville’s growing mural scene in downtown’s South Slope. 

This hip, compact district of Asheville’s Southside, commonly referred to as the South Slope, has a rich and diverse history including a vibrant African American community, an automobile focused “motor mile," and now a lively industrial area with a dynamic arts culture and thriving craft brewery scene. Characterized by its grit and its local charm, the area is popular with residents and tourists alike, offering a plethora of food and beverage options amidst a scattering of colorful murals.

Mural Trail Route

The South Slope district is roughly bounded Asheville has more than 40 breweries including Bhramari Brewing Co.by Asheland, Biltmore, Southside and Hilliard Avenues. Parking in the area may be a challenge, especially on weekends. There is a public parking deck at 40 Coxe Avenue. If exploring the mural trail on foot, expect to walk approximately 2 miles over a course of 1-2 hrs (not including food and beverage stops).

If starting in downtown, a good place to begin the trail is with “Can Vault” located at 77 Coxe Avenue. This is one of the northernmost murals in close proximity to the parking garage. If coming from the South of downtown, another good starting point would be “Arts. Empowerment. People” at 217 Coxe Avenue.  Here, you can rent an electric bicycle from The Flying Bike next door and spend the day touring the area with ease.

Please note that the mural trail is subject to change as murals and locations are added or removed.  We try to keep the information up to date, however some murals may not yet be listed on the trail guide while others may no longer be there.

Why Public Art Matters

Public art is created for the people. It does not exist inside gallery or museum walls, it lives and breathes in the streets with everyday people where it can be interacted with on a daily basis. Meant to engage, to inspire, to provoke and to enliven, public art transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. 

For thousands of years humans have been driven to express themselves and their experience of the world by drawing and painting on walls.  From ancient cave paintings to modern murals, the desire to make our mark, beautify the spaces we live, and share in a collective experience continues.

South Slope Mural Trail Locations

Building Facade of Asheville Brewing Company on Coxe Ave.

A building façade adorned in mid-century patterning with abstracted, geometric representations of pint glasses.

Building Facade for Hi Wire Brewing, in Downtown Asheville, NC

Created to look like a circus tent, this colorful building pops out of the landscape as an invitation for fun.

Les Tonneliers

This work pays homage to traditional barrel makers, known as coopers, in a trade dating back as far as 2600 B.C.

South Sloper Mural

A mural that celebrates the present-day brewing district while honoring the businesses that existed here a century ago.

100 Years

A celebratory artwork to commemorate 100 years in business.

Twisted Tentacles

This work, created in a comic book style, has a unique three-dimensional feature.

Bower Power

A mural inspired by the bowerbird and their unique courtship behavior.

Arts. People. Empowerment

A collaborative mural to represent the mission of this local and loved non-profit art center.

Liberation / Freedom

Two bright and bold and murals that represent the magic in exploring new places

Inner Workings

To creatively represent the business, this work features bold graphics of deconstructed auto and transmission parts.

Buxton 24

Condensation bubbles run down this building façade to give the impression of a cold and refreshing beverage.

Cubist Parade

A colorful composition inspired by the Cubist art movement of the early 20th century.

Wonder Woman Mural

The Wonder Woman pictured here was inspired by the 2017 American superhero movie based on the DC Comics character.

Taking Over/ Pinnacle

Bright, bold, colorful trees that are emblematic of the artist’s kaleidoscopic aesthetic.

Golden Days

As a reflection of our inner beauty, this floral motif reminds us to nourish our inner garden.

French Broad Topo Impression

This series of planter box murals features graphic, stylized representations of flowing rivers.

Bungy's Stars Mural

A barn quilt painting that breathes new life into the traditionally rural public art form.

Mural Trail Interactive Map

 

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