Public Art Honoring Black History & Culture in Winston-Salem

Any black space can become a canvas in Winston-Salem. Throughout the city, you'll find dozens of murals and public artworks celebrating African-American heritage and showcasing the talents of Black artists. Nowhere is this more evident that downtown, where a number of must-see murals and sculptures reside within a few blocks of one another. Here's a roundup of several impressive works, all in and around the city's Downtown Arts District.

The “5" Royales Mural (740 N. Trade St.)
One of Winston-Salem's newest murals pays tribute to one of its legendary bands. Located at the corner of Trade and 8th streets, the 20-foot work honors the "5" Royales, a Winston-Salem-based quintet who had five Top 10 R&B hits during their heyday, including two songs that reached No. 1 in 1953. The mural (above) is by Florida-based artist Elio Mercado, who completed the work in mid-2025.

9th Wonder Mural (corner of 6th and Liberty St.)
Grammy-winning hip-hop Producer Patrick Douthit, better known as 9th Wonder, recently got the mural treatment in his hometown. Located at the corner of 6th and Liberty Streets, the large-scale artwork by Scott Nurkin, a North Carolina-based artist, captures 9th Wonder's essence. Nurkin, known for his "Musician Murals" project, portrays 9th Wonder in a grayscale portrait, surrounded by imagery that reflects his musical influences and Winston-Salem roots. SEE

Depot Street Renaissance (7th Street, near Research Parkway)
Leo Rucker, a celebrated local artist, has a unique ability to blend historical accuracy with artistic expression. Nowhere is that more evident than this large-scale work on the northern end of downtown’s Innovation Quarter. The mural depicts people, businesses, and institutions that contributed to Depot Street (now Patterson Avenue) becoming one of the first prestigious Black neighborhoods in Winston-Salem. The result is a piece of living history that invites viewers to reflect on the city’s evolution. SEE

Honoring Black Excellence: Vol. 4 (610 N Liberty St.)
Sitting adjacent to Artivity on the Green in downtown, this collaborative mural by Alexis Douglas and Nathaly Delacruz isn't just aesthetically striking – it's a powerful statement. Adorned with portraits of local Black residents, the mural celebrates everyday excellence within the community. This project is part of a larger initiative by Adidas that was created in collaboration with Winston-Salem's Black Philanthropy Initiative (BPI). SEE

George Black sculpture (corner of Second and Chestnut Streets)
The sculpture of George Black honors the legendary African American brickmaker known for his hand-made bricks that built many of the city's historic structures. Stationed outside the Forsyth County Government Center, the bronze statue was created by artist Thomas Jay Warren and depicts Black holding a brick and trowel. SEE

The Safe Bus Mural (Trade Street, between 10th and 11th streets)
Founded in 1926 to serve Winston-Salem’s Black community, Safe Bus grew into the nation’s largest African American–owned and –operated transit company. At its peak, it carried 12,000 riders daily before eventually merging into today’s Winston-Salem Transit Authority. Winston-Salem artist Vikki Vassar designed the retro-inspired mural, featuring a bright orange bus and rainbow stripes, echoing the original spirit of connection and community. The Safe Bus mural is at a bus shelter in downtown's Industry Hill area and is part of a larger citywide Artistic Bus Shelters Program, which enlivens more than a dozen stops with local history and culture, from Maya Angelou to Earl “the Pearl” Monroe. 

WS Chronicle Mural (617 N Liberty St.)
Created by local muralist Marianne DiNapoli-Mylet, this impactful piece titled "Looking Back" in the 600 block of Liberty Street chronicles the history of the black press in the U.S., with Frederick Douglass serving as the central figure. Fittingly, it's found on the side of the former Winston-Salem Chronicle building, a weekly newspaper that celebrates the local African-American community. (Pictured below)