ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A statewide public art initiative aimed at bringing murals to every county in North Carolina is set to make its mark in Asheville, with a large-scale project planned at Pack Memorial Library.
The initiative, known as Paint NC and led by North Carolina artist Max Dowdle, seeks to create 100 murals across the state’s 100 counties. The effort emphasizes highlighting local identity, including people, landscapes and lesser-known histories unique to each community.
In Buncombe County, the project will include more than 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor mural work at the downtown library. Installation is scheduled to begin the week of May 11.
Community input to shape final design
The mural’s design will be guided heavily by public participation, according to organizers. County staff have already narrowed concepts to three options featuring regional themes such as native plants and animals, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the French Broad River.
Residents can review and vote on their preferred design online through May 1, 2026, or cast ballots in person at the library. The final concept will be selected based largely on that feedback.
Artist outlines design approach
The outdoor mural will wrap around the building and feature a collage of local imagery. Preliminary mockups were developed using a mix of the artist’s original work and artificial intelligence tools during early design stages.
Dowdle said AI was used to help refine ideas, but emphasized that the finished mural will be created entirely by hand.
“All work as it is put on the wall will be 100 percent human-driven, and the hand of the artist will be very apparent,” he said.
Volunteers invited to participate
Community members will have opportunities to help paint portions of the mural inside the library during scheduled “paint days.” Organizers say volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, with tasks ranging from base coating to detail work under the artist’s guidance.
All materials will be provided, and participation will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Funded through federal relief program
The $37,600 project is funded through the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund under the American Rescue Plan Act. It is being developed in partnership with Larry Wheeler, the North Carolina Museum of Art, NC Main Street and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
County officials say the mural aligns with goals in the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan, which calls for expanding public art in shared spaces to support community healing and economic recovery.
Additional programming tied to the project, including artist talks and classes, is expected to be announced by Buncombe County Libraries in the coming months.
Paint NC: A Statewide Public Art Initiative is Rolling Out at Pack Memorial Library
A new statewide public art initiative Paint NC strives to create 100 Murals in 100 Counties led by North Carolina artist Max Dowdle. Large-scale murals will be installed in communities across the state, with a special focus on celebrating the people, places, and overlooked histories that define them. Buncombe County’s participation includes more than 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor mural work at Pack Memorial Library. Work on the murals will begin the week of May 11.
A Community-Guided Creative Process
The mural’s development will be driven by public participation at every stage. County staff already voted on their top three design concepts including depictions of local plants, animals, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the French Broad River. The final design will depend largely on public input. Community members can review three design concepts and vote on favorites at engage.buncombecounty.org/packlibrarymural through Friday, May 1, 2026. Library patrons can also vote in-person at the library.
About the Designs
The larger outdoor mural will wrap around Pack Memorial Library and will depict a collage of local images. Mural design mockups A, B, and C were laid out using various sources from the artist, including some artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Artist Max Dowdle shares, “In regards to AI, I do like to use it early in the process for iterative design work where I normally feed it my own drawings, paintings, and previous work as a means to get to the design heart of a question. Rest-assured, all work as it is put on the wall will be 100% human-driven, and the hand of the artist will be very apparent.” Red vertical lines indicate wall boundaries where the mural will wrap around exterior walls. Grey areas indicate windows and doors where paint will not be applied. The light blue lines throughout represent the French Broad River.
Community Paint Days
Volunteers are invited to assist with a multi-site mural project inside the library. All skill levels are welcome, and no prior experience is needed. Tasks will range from base coating and color fills to some select detail work, with guidance provided throughout by muralist Max Dowdle (NCPublicArt.com). Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. All materials will be supplied. We ask that volunteers respect the shared public space: follow instructions, keep work areas tidy, and be mindful of library patrons at all times. Come ready to contribute, learn, and help bring the space to life. Volunteer opportunities are first come first serve in terms of space.
Project Timeline
April 2026: Final Design Selection
May 2026: Installation and Community Paint Days
Funding and Background
Funding for the $37,600 mural comes from the Local Assistance & Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) under the American Rescue Plan Act designated for public art projects.
The mural project is developed in partnership with Larry Wheeler, Director Emeritus of the North Carolina Museum of Art, along with NC Main Street, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners.
The project advances the goals of the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan, which prioritizes commissioning public art in key public spaces across the county’s neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and gathering areas. Public art plays a crucial role in strengthening community cohesion and emotional resilience, especially during and after periods of crisis. By transforming shared spaces into environments for healing, storytelling, and reflection, public art also supports economic recovery and enhances quality of life.
Buncombe County Libraries will host programs in the upcoming months which will feature local artists including art classes and talks. Review the full library calendar of events at buncombe.librarycalendar.com/events/month.