South Slope
Mural Trail

Location #2 - Hilliard 197

Hilliard 197
 

The Mural:

The mural at Hi-Wire Brewing, 197 Hilliard Avenue, was created by artist Ian Wilkinson to make the once very ordinary building more noticeable.  Now impossible to miss, this colorful explosion pops out of the landscape as an invitation for fun. Fun and interesting is what Hi-Wire strives for as they honor the tradition of craft beer while not taking themselves too seriously. In keeping with their carnival vibe, the mural is created to look like a circus tent, embracing the spirit of the brewery, and in their words, “this little circus town we call Asheville.”  

The tight-rope walker and the silhouette figures found on the side and front building façade were created at an earlier date by artists Josh Spiceland and Gabriel Shaffer.  The walker concept was inspired by the brewery’s flagship lager label designed by a North Carolina artist. 

Artist: Ian Wilkinson

Ian Wilkinson is a painter and nationally recognized muralist with works in the national mural registry. Through his work, Ian recognizes the power and obligation of the artist’s platform to do good, empower people and create change. For Ian, working in the public realm is a tool, a way of telling a story, of communicating, of giving a voice to the voiceless. With this he welcomes the potential to provoke, to challenge, but ultimately to enrich the viewer. Finding value in creating work that maintains its relevance, Ian’s work embodies the universal principles of truth, connection and our basic humanity.

For more about Ian Wilkinson: www.ianthepainter.com 

Instagram: @ianthepainter

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.