Greenville is home to an evolving and dynamic public art program. Funded largely through private donations through Hunt County Public Art, we invite you to explore our collection of murals, inter-active art, and sculpture. Most of the art can be found along Lee Street and Washington Street.
Hello Goodbye - Brandon Adams, Tex Moton - On Wesley Street at Lee
This colorful large-scale mural was recently completed over the course of 3 weekends. This is the first mural painted over an existing mural in downtown Greenville. Nationally recognized artist, Brandon Adams created this as a reminder that nothing is forever. Nothing is guaranteed. Everything changes. We enter and exit moments in our life, so don't waste a second! Live life to the fullest. Brandon thanks Tex Moton for help with the letters in this piece.
Be Seen – Brian Weaver – 2900 Lee Street
Just around the corner from Find Your Match is Be Seen. This attention-getting sculpture is designed to let people photograph themselves within the fun artwork, using a double-sided design. Standing about 12 feet tall, Be Seen is meant to reflect the blank expression of humanity. By placing yourself into the sculpture, you too are experiencing what it's like to really put yourself out there. The enormous size of the character trying to peek over this tiny wall ads to the whimsy of the piece. This has quickly become one of Greenville’s top photo locations, so be sure to have your camera ready and "Be Seen" in Downtown Greenville!
Find Your Match – Bob Bird – King Street just North of Lee Street
Many of Bob's works use a "grid painting" style which this installation plays off of. This artwork uses a careful selection of colors that lets viewers play a matching game. Each individually mixed color has been applied to only two squares, allowing participants to try to find the matching pairs when you view it.
DID YOU KNOW - There are 109 blocks in this piece and Bob estimates that you should be able to find all of the matches in 15 - 20 minutes.
High Cotton – Pamela Edwards – Washington Street near intersection of Stonewall Street
High Cotton is on the side of the Scott Ray and Sullivan Law Office at 2806 Stonewall. This hard-edge abstraction celebrates the rich geologic history of Greenville, Texas. At top, wavy bands of blue indicate the many millions of years this area was underwater. White and bright yellow-green hues respectively represent salt and sulfur deposits that are abundant in local soil. Below, a multicolor rectilinear motif pays homage to Native inhabitants who cultivated the land. And the color transition from vibrant blue to deep red-brown symbolizes water seeping into enriched earth. In contrast to the colorful geometric layers above, colorless cotton whimsically emerges from blackland soil. It is cotton for which the city of Greenville became internationally known.
Hope – Brandon Adams & Tex Moton – Stonewall Street at Lee Street
When Brandon approached this project, he was very conscious of the mindset of children entering into the Hunt County Children’s Advocacy Center. He wanted to create something to let the kids and parents know that somehow, it was going to be OK. The playful child in the mural was created specifically to represent ALL children, so you will see that the form is neither girl or boy, black or white, brown or yellow – yet a splash of many colors! The word “hope” is created to look like a playful ribbon and is the key message to all who enter into the Center.
DID YOU KNOW - This mural is brushless, as it was created entirely by spray paint! The artists used the Montana brand of spray paint (widely used by art professionals). Each can's tips are adjustable, allowing for a surprising degree of precision. About 100 cans of spray paint were used to create Hope. The design was done on a computer and the artists only had color printouts on 8 1/2 by 11 pieces of paper. Other than that, the mural was done entirely freehand, with no chalk outlines or projections on the walls. Surprisingly, the entire 15 X 40-foot piece was completed in just 9 hours!
Horns and All - Pamela Edwards - Rear Parking Lot of Uptown Forum off St. John Street between Lee and Jordan
This mosaic depicts a Texas horned lizard, the official state reptile, known locally as a "horny toad". Largest of all species, Texas horned lizards grow up to 5 inches in length. These tiny dinosaurs can puff up their bodies, and shoot a five foot stream of blood from the eyes and mouths when in peril. Still, the passive scaly sunbathers have long been a threatened species.
In this mosaic tribute you will discover native stones, locally acquired found objects (including a chain, a staple gun, spikes, and door locks), and tiles and broken pottery in a variety of earth tones.
DID YOU KNOW - When citizens of Greenville first learned of this new piece of art, a naming contest was held to name our Horned Toad. In case you are wondering, his name is Spike.
A Legacy of Performance 1
A Legacy of Performance 2
A Legacy of Performance – Pat Rawlings – Washington Street across from the Greenville Municipal Building
This piece, by former Greenville resident Pat Rawlings, is a larger-than-life assembled mural that reflects the great performances from the Greenville Municipal Auditorium (GMA) which is located directly across Washington Street. Performances alluded to include Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Dallas Symphony, The Kenneth Threadgill Concert Series, various classical, contemporary and country artists as well as numerous plays, musicals and dance performances. The traditional, brick-veneer wall is an historical witness which has greeted attendees as they exited each of these performances. The unassuming facade is now finally able to respond with energetic imagery that captures the spirit of the GMA.
The mural design was originally created on a computer using a combination of digitally painted and photographic elements. These elements were then outlined by hand with cutting vectors allowing them to be cut out on a CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) router. Some of the elements were just cut out as shapes while others had black and white photographic images printed as a basis for overpainting. All of the shapes are being painted using a combination of spray gun, airbrush and traditional paintbrush techniques.
DID YOU KNOW - Pat Rawlings first job was as a commercial artist for the Greenville Herald Banner in 1974. His first large format art was several 60’ wide backdrops for the Greenville High School Acapella Choir Musicals “The Sound of Music” (1972) and “Fiddler on the Roof” (1973) that were performed at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium.
Life and Nature – Joseph McCowan – Corner of Stuart Street and Washington Street
Each side of this corner piece of art tells a story. The image of people reaching for the sun represents “family” and Joseph painted them as multi-cultural on purpose reflecting Greenville truly becoming a multi-cultural community. The other panels all reflect nature with different birds, flowers, and trees. He chose these particular subjects, because for him, they represent an expression of joy and happiness. Joseph has been painting for over 30 years and finds inspiration from being around other artists.
Spectrum – Cathy Smithey – Washington Street at Johnson Street
While this spectacular installation features bright colors, it is not just a mural, but a fully fleshed-out idea that has been thoughtfully and boldly designed to include a painted background, directional signage, a life-size sculpture of a famous citizen, a four-by-eight-foot framed section for changeable art, a metal sculpture attached to the wall and backlit at night, and a three-dimensional sculpture that sits on the edge of the sidewalk.
DID YOU KNOW - Many of the world’s most famous high-kicking dance lines — from the Rockettes in New York City to the Kilgore College Rangerettes to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders — have been influenced by the pioneering work done here in Greenville. Featured on Spectrum is Gussie Nell Davis, who popularized the high-kicking dance style and unique uniforms for the Greenville High School Flaming Flashes before spreading her influence to Kilgore and around the world.
Today is the Day – Brandon Adams –Oak Street at Washington Street
Brandon created this mural to encourage other people the way he has been encouraged throughout his life to pursue his dreams. In his own words - no matter what it is in life that you have the opportunity to do, seize that moment. If you notice the clock, there are no hands on the clock face because there is no time to waste. We all need to be encouraging to others.
DID YOU KNOW – When Brandon was painting this mural, a young man rode up on his bike and watched for an hour. The young man finally spoke to Brandon and said that he wanted to stop and talk to him. The young man had never had the opportunity to do something like this as he wanted to be a muralist. So Brandon had him pick up a paint can and start painting with him (the “D” in the word day). As you view this mural, know that it has already encouraged one young man to pursue his dream of being a muralist.
You Be You - Laura Irrgang - Rear Parking Lot of Uptown Forum off St. John Street between Lee and Jordan
You be You features a variety of stylized fish found in Hunt County lakes. The artist is passionate about the conservation of our natural resources. Laura hopes to spark an interest in nature and the conservation of our parks and wildlife. Laura encourages everyone, especially young people, to follow their own creative spirit.
Laura is a Girl Scout leader, so she let her Lone Oak troop help come up with ideas for the badges on the scouting fish. They came up with some funny ideas like fire safety, and horseback riding featuring a sea horse. I also included an “Easter egg”…a badge featuring Nadine the narwhal from Laura's comic strip “Glitterville”. The catfish is wearing a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department cap and holding a bird watching book and binoculars. The birthday fish has a fishing float for a balloon. The fish is a rainbow trout, the first fish Laura ever caught at age four. The Pumpkinseed perch is knitting, a nod to the artists love of knitting and the knitting graphic novel she illustrated that will be released by Abrams publishing in 2022. There is a “cowboy gar”, and at the base of his tail is small vent in the wall. This is a location people sometimes leave their “kindness rocks”, so you might check and see if there’s a small surprise the next time you visit the mural.
While exploring our Public Art, you will want to check out our Downtown Gallery spaces.
Welcome to The Creative Spot, a vibrant oasis of artistic expression nestled in the heart of downtown Greenville, TX, within the bustling Uptown Forum. If you're seeking a creative escape, look no further – this charming shop promises an unforgettable experience that will ignite your inner artist.
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✂️ Collage: Bring together elements of texture and design in our collage classes. Learn to combine images, papers, and objects into stunning compositions that reflect your unique style.
🎭 Mixed Media Arts: Embrace the freedom of mixed media arts and experiment with a diverse range of materials. Unleash your creativity by blending techniques, textures, and mediums to craft one-of-a-kind pieces.
🍷 Sip and Paint: Join us on Friday and Saturday nights for our famous Sip and Paint sessions. Gather your friends, sip on your favorite beverages, and let your creativity flow as you create beautiful art in a relaxed, social atmosphere.
👩🎨 Kids Art Classes: We believe in nurturing young talents! On Saturdays, we host Kids Art classes, providing children with a safe and fun space to explore their creativity under the guidance of experienced instructors.
🎉 Visit Us Today: The Creative Spot is more than just an art studio; it's a place to unwind, connect with fellow artists, and explore your creative side. Whether you're looking for a solo adventure or a group activity, our shop offers a range of classes to suit your interests and schedule.
Come visit us in the Uptown Forum in downtown Greenville, TX, and let your inner artist flourish. Join us for a class, create lasting memories, and leave with a beautiful piece of art that's uniquely yours. Experience the magic of The Creative Spot – where art comes to life! 🎨🖌️🍷
Gallery Wall in Texan Coffee Shop
Arts lover’s should not miss the Texan Coffee Shop, which is home to rotating art exhibits. Every few months, owner Barbara Horan works with local artists and galleries to curate collections that are exciting and fun. And best of all, all of the art is for sale. While you are there, enjoy part of Barbara’s eclectic collection as well, displayed throughout the coffee shop!