Albemarle selects artist for Courthouse Plaza mural.

Albemarle chose Denver artist Bobby MaGee Lopez to paint a nature-themed mural on the east side of 119 W. Main St., adjacent to Courthouse Plaza, with installation scheduled for completion by June 30 and a commission of up to $35,000 funded by an ARPA grant.

Albemarle officials announced that Bobby MaGee Lopez of Denver was selected to create a large brick-wall mural for Courthouse Plaza. The piece, titled "The Avant Garden," was chosen through a grant-funded public art initiative the city launched in September. The mural will be painted on the east side of the building at 119 W. Main St., next to the plaza entrance, and is scheduled for completion by June 30. The project is part of the city’s ongoing downtown streetscape efforts and is funded via an American Rescue Plan Act grant. Key details: - Artist selected: Bobby MaGee Lopez of Denver, chosen from 28 submissions after a multi-stage selection process. - Location and timeline: East side of 119 W. Main St., adjacent to Courthouse Plaza; scheduled for completion by June 30. - Design and research: The mural is titled "The Avant Garden" and incorporates regional flora and fauna researched by the artist, including milkweed, ruby-throated hummingbird, eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillar, monarch butterfly, honeybee and lightning bugs. - Community elements: Lopez will host a community engagement activity, an interactive workshop, and produce a coloring page based on the design; a live-feed camera will document installation. - Funding and lifespan: The commission is valued at up to $35,000, funded through an ARPA grant and is expected to last about 10 to 15 years. Summary: The mural commission continues Albemarle’s efforts to add public art and amenities to its downtown streetscape and Courthouse Plaza, which opened in 2024 and now hosts community events. Installation and related community programs are planned through the spring, with the project funded by an ARPA grant and expected to remain visible for approximately 10 to 15 years.