be merry

The Augusta Mural Guide

2020-05-21 /

The (Un)official Guide to Augusta’s Best Walls

Welcome to my double-tap inducing mural tour! This Augusta mural guide strives to be a comprehensive directory to our River Region’s most vibrant + colorful +  ‘grammable walls. Many of these walls are more than just artsy-fartsy photo ops: some of them speak of Augusta’s history; some profess the affinity Augusta’s people have for her; and others proclaim the quirk + eclectic spirit of our fair city.  And why not? Art-centric Augusta has lots of colorful love to share. This guide is dynamic, growing with our city’s art-explosive evolution. I invite you to check back often.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND:

  • photo(s) of the mural
  • the addresses so you may visit
  • the artist’s name + name of mural including helpful links to more information

If you are aware of artist credit but see it is missing, please let me know. 

I hope you enjoy using this guide as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. Please tag your photos #nakedaugustamuralguide + share with your color-loving friends! XXOO Ann Beth @nakedepicurean

If you arrived in Augusta by plane, you have already been welcomed by this beautiful wall. Children’s book illustrator Dawn M. Cardona, known for her original hand-cut stamps, personalized this vintage-style postcard with her signature style.

a signature look by artist Dawn M. Cardona

Part of Augusta’s allure is its beautiful flowers, so it’s no wonder it is nicknamed the Garden City. As you drive through the Harrisburg neighborhood, grab your cameras to capture these two beautification projects by husband + wife team Wes and Colleen Beyer Stewart. “Harrisburg Biome 1” is on the Calhoun Expressway underpass on the north side of Crawford Avenue.

Harrisburg Biome 1 by Wes + Colleen Beyer Stewart
Harrisburg Biome 1 by Wes + Colleen Beyer Stewart

“Harrisburg Biome 2” is on the Calhoun Expressway underpass on Eve Street.

Harrisburg Biome 2 by Wes + Colleen Beyer Stewart
Harrisburg Biome 2 by Wes + Colleen Beyer Stewart

On the James Brown Arena, you are greeted by this powerful word superimposed on iconic symbols of Downtown Augusta:

RESPECT by Jason Craig

Craig is the brainchild of much of our city’s art. You will find he has left his brushstrokes on–and in–many of our buildings.

As a bonus, Jason shared with me some candid poses in front of his mural.

Thanks, Jason Craig!

Stand near this mural and feel its energy.

Innovation Mural of Augusta by Aort Reed

On the river side of the intersection of Reynolds and 12th St is the Georgia Cyber Center. On the right side of the left building is a set of stairs leading to the river. Between the building and the stairs is the eye-popping INNOVATION MURAL OF AUGUSTA. One of our city’s most eclectic murals, the Innovation Mural features Augusta’s own timeless + tireless + incomparable Miss Sharon Jones. Several of Augusta’s murals feature Reed’s raw + colorful work.

On the other side of Reynolds Street is Sugar Magnolia’s, a venue poised for your next special event. While you’re there, be sure to ham it up in front of their mural.

Garden City Social is a lively spot, known for its amazing bartenders, bar games, and dancing. During business hours you will find this great photo op.

During business hours, wet your whistle at Augusta’s first distillery and pin your home state on this wall mural.

Cross 8th Street to visit Noble Jones where “Southern meets unexpected.”

Enjoy this indoor mural during business hours.

On 11th Street you will find two murals. One is a large-scale, photo-realistic portrait of an indigenous sage.

Mural by Lee Ann Culver

Next on 11th Street is a commissioned mural: “The Garden City Project.”

The Garden City Project by Autumn Von Plinsky
  • THE GARDEN CITY PROJECT by Autumn Von Plinsky @avonplinsky 
  • 1051 11th Street , Augusta GA 30901

This mural of Augusta’s network of streets is superimposed with adorning flowers, each with its own personal backstory. Visit @thegardencityproject on Instagram to learn of the inspiration for this mural.

  • mural by Jay Jacobs @jayjacobsart
  • 1051 11th Street , Augusta GA 30901

At 1126 Broad Street, you’ll find this “scenes of Augusta” mural.

mural by Riley Keuroglian

Enjoy this indoor mural during business hours.

The indoor walls of Pineapple Ink Tavern have been “inked” by four of Augusta’s finest.

an interpretation of The Creation by Jason Craig
Gatsby the Great by @artsyrew
by Daniel James

Drop in during business hours to see these murals.

On the 10th Street side of Pineapple Ink Tavern is another mural by Jason Craig.

And here are some photos of the GET UP AUGUSTA mural’s evolution…

You will find this mural by April Henry King in the rear courtyard of The Southern Salad restaurant.

SoSal by April Henry King

The crisp vegetables practically jump off the wall of this old school building that has been repurposed as a lively eatery.  I once heard King say this was one of her favorite murals.

Cut through The Southern Salad to get to Augusta & Co. Browse curated local merch and pick up some informational pamphlets. Then take a photo with this mural.

mural at Augusta & Co. deigned by Gensler

Who doesn’t need some HAPPY in life? Porkchop’s iconic robots spread love to everyone they meet, and this southside wall adjacent to Tire City Potters is no exception.

HAPPY by Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman

This bright mural has cemented itself as a backdrop for photo ops in Augusta.

Behind Tire City Potters is a gorgeous weathered cerulean backdrop for the four-word mantra Augustans live by.

Pivot 180⁰ and you’ll find the BASEBALL SCOREBOARD mural, a blank canvas for you to channel your inner Ty Cobb and pose for a selfie.

Continue down Ellis Street (affectionately called “James Brown Boulevard”) to find three tributes to Brown in proximity of the Kress Building, completed primarily under a veil of the night sky.

Looking for even more funk? Look no further! Music icon James Brown brought the funk to Augusta, and three Augusta artists are keeping it alive and well with this bold + proud + imperative mural at the corner of Broad and 9th aka James Brown Boulevard.

Keep Downtown Augusta Funky by Jason Craig

Inside Humanitree House you will find African-centric allegorical murals by artist + owner, Baruti Tucker, who paints only with his fingers.

While here, enjoy the chill vibes + amazing vegan food + restorative fresh-pressed juices + provocative art.

At the corner of 8th and Greene you will find the golden Jessye Norman School of the Arts.

Girl with Butterflies by Jay Jacobs

In the rear courtyard of the JNSA is a 32-foot by 70-foot mural of a young girl releasing butterflies.

Take note of the young girl’s lashes and beaming smile. They are a nod to world-renowned opera singer Jessye Norman, a native of Augusta.

in progress

On the east wall of the 571 building of Greene Street you will find this colorful + mammoth representation of the trains that run through our city on the tracks just 50 yards away. (Read about the project here on page 2.)

Just a few blocks away is the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library. An entire wall in the children’s area was painted by Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman, featuring his famous robot, Tommy.

Hildebrandt’s German-inspired delicatessen has been serving Augusta heaping helpings of Southern hospitality since 1879. You will find this mural on the Ellis Street side of the building.

1.7 million bottles or cans are brewed annually within the walls of the 16,000+ square foot Savannah River Brewing Co. Outside, however, is a flash the bold flagship lettering by artist April Henry King.

Savannah River Brewing Co mural by April Henry King
SRBC indoor mural

If you are hoping to get a selfie (or an ussie) with the Godfather of Soul, here is your chance.

William Murrell & Associates
  • William Murrell & Associates
  • 516 Broad Street, Augusta GA 30901
Discotheque Lounge

Edgar’s Above Broad is a rooftop bar at 699 Broad. Don’t miss the chance to pose in front of the glowing neon + lush moss wall as you enter the building on the 3rd floor.

When you visit the 3rd floor rooftop bar, you are greeted by this stunning wall by one of Augusta’s favorite muralists, April Henry King.


artist April Henry King (photo courtesy of AHK)
(photo courtesy of AHK)

People from near + far made trips to ogle Cole Phail’s homage to the Godfather of Soul.

early stage of the SPIRIT OF FUNK mural
it was thrilling to watch the progress of this mural

While you’re on 9th Street, stop in Vance’s Bakery Bar for yummy desserts + craft cocktails. On the wall you will find this beauty by Steve Snyder:

Travel from downtown Augusta across the 13th Street Bridge to North Augusta, SC for two must-see murals.

The Sno-Cap Drive-In is a 1960’s inspired restaurant with indoor tables + drive-in service.

Sno-Cap Drive-In mural by April Henry King

You may feel an urge to strap on your roller skates at this landmark carhop diner. The inviting mural is sure to tempt you to enjoy some of the yummy burgers + other American eats .

On your way back to Augusta, you will see SRP Park, home of Augusta’s Green Jackets baseball team.

mural by April Henry King

Earn your wings by posing with this mural inside the park.

Recreate your favorite Masters tournament moment or create your own! All this putting green mural on 1326 Reynolds Street needs is YOU!

Completed in February 2021, artist Jay Jacobs painted over graffiti on the side of a 12th Street building to create PIRATE BOY, a likeness of his son. The boy wears a HAPPY robot emblem on his hat, a nod to the art across the street that he is viewing through his telescope.

Pirate Boy by Jay Jacobs
  • PIRATE BOY by Jay Jacobs @jayjacobsart
  • the 200 block of 12th Street

So what does PIRATE BOY espy? The complementary mural across 12th Street: Robot and the Moon by Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman.

Robot and the Moon
Robot and the Moon by Porkchop
mural in progress

Head to the Ellis Street side of Cyber City Circuits at 307 11th Street to see the BLACK LIVES MATTER mural by Aort Reed, completed in October 2020.

preliminary stages of mural by Aort Reed
BLACK LIVES MATTER mural by Aort Reed

Centered on a tribute to Jean-Michel Basquiat, the artist’s timeless images extol overcoming adversity as a ballast of strength and example for others.

As you leave downtown Augusta, you’ll find this mural on the north wall of Andy Jordan’s bicycle shop. It’s an iteration of the pride we have in the revitalization + burgeoning exuberance that is Augusta.

This mural’s celebratory message is the perfect salute to Downtown Augusta as you head south in search of more color!

At the intersection of 15th Street and R.A Dent Boulevard, you’ll find this 20 foot-high panoramic mural on the east side of the Rosa T. Beard Memorial Bridge, a project of the Greater Augusta Arts Council.

On the mural you will find an eagle, the mascot of T.W. Josey High School; an American flag; a young couple and a young child imagining their future;

and a symbolic Georgia peach tree representing many aspects of the community.

  • THE BEST LEGS IN TOWN
  • Crab King
  • 2301 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Augusta GA 30901

At the corner of Laney-Walker and Pine in one of Augusta’s historic districts is this gem.

Golden Blocks Legacy Mural by Audrey Sala Adenike Jeter Allen

This mural highlights four prominent educational, business, and cultural luminaries who flourished in the South despite Jim Crow laws.

Find this psychedelic mushroom mural at

If ‘Grammable photo ops are what you are seeking, you are about to win the mural lottery.

At the intersection of Wrightsboro Road and Highland Avenue is the Art Factory’s colorful mural project featuring art by Cyndy Epps, Joseph Hart, Steve Krecskay, Steve Snyder, Brian Stewart, Richard Worth, Russ Bonin and Raoul Pacheco.

On the Highland Avenue wall are murals of the Savannah River. 

On the Wrightsboro Road wall, six river region artists created water-themed art, including a robot in an inner tube by Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman.

by Leonard Porkchop Zimmerman

The fish and landmarks in the four murals on the Iris Street wall are by Aort Reed, students from Augusta University, and teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the CSRA as well as other organizations. 

  • Augusta Utilities – Highland Avenue Water Treatment Plant
  • 2835 Central Avenue, Augusta GA 30909

Continue north on Wrightsboro Road to Daniel Village Shopping Center. Tucked away in a corner is Cantina Locale with these three vibrant murals by artist Kate Gary.

WARNING: you are about to be star-struck! Celebrity sightings abound at Jackie M’s and Son.

Snap selfies with Whitney Houston, Prince, Michael Jackson and Little Richard (not pictured: Aretha Franklin)

James Brown and Whitney Houston by Aort Reed
Prince and Michael Jackson by Aort Reed

After all this fanfare, stop in for an amazing lunch (be sure to get the Kool-Aid).

A myriad of ocean life snapshots adorn the seafood restaurant at the top of Wrightsboro Road.

  • ocean life by Michel Moon
  • Harbor Inn Seafood restaurant
  • 3404 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta GA 30909

Across from Harbor Inn Seafood Restaurant is New Ming Wah. Venture inside during business hours to see this beauty by April Henry King.

Check out one of the most beautiful chickens ever at Frog and the Hen during business hours.

eat drink and be local by Maria Kyles

View this newly completed mural at Abel Brown restaurant during business hours.

You’ll find another radiant mural in Surrey Center at SolFood Kitchen.

mural by Stephanie Sunshine Forbes

Behind a comfy red couch + above a wall of self-serve taps, you’ll find this radiant mural at Stay. Social Tap & Table in Evans.

If you have a minute, head to Boondock Farms in Jackson, SC. They often have a market and planned activities, and they also have these two photo opp-able murals.

If you happen to make your way to Aiken, look for this mural by April Henry King.

If you’re looking for murals + great Mexican food (AND willing to drive to Waynesboro), check out El Toro Taqueria.

The restaurant is decked out with Dia de los Muertos vignettes painted by two of Augusta’s most prolific muralists.

Good luck on your hunt for Augusta’s best walls! Follow @nakedepicurean on Instagram for more eat + drink + be merry + repeat in Augusta.

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