For centuries, murals have been painted on the walls and ceilings of tombs, palaces, churches, and other public buildings. A more recent phenomenon has turned the outside walls of buildings into works of art. These outdoor murals not only inspire awe by their scale and beauty, but serve as expressions of our history, aesthetics, and values. These projects have also done much to bring communities together by articulating their frustrations and dreams.
Fresh Paint features murals inspired by Virginia’s history. Ten of Virginia’s most talented mural artists were provided unrestricted access to the museum’s vast collection of books, letters, maps, artwork, photographs, and objects. Each selected items that interested them and used the stories they told as inspiration for an original painting reflecting the Commonwealth’s diverse history.
This unprecedented exhibition explores the power of murals to encourage reflection of Virginia's past by inviting artist to produce works inspired by one or more historical items from the museum's collection, and in doing so examine our present and inspire us to think about ways we can shape the future.