Asheville -- April 21, 2026: Asheville residents have the opportunity to shape a new public art installation at Pack Memorial Library through the Paint NC initiative. Community members can participate by voting on the mural's design and volunteering to help with its creation.
Mural Details
The Pack Memorial Library mural project will encompass over 3,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor space. The mural will feature a collage of local imagery. Artist Max Dowdle created initial concepts using drawings, paintings, and AI tools.
Buncombe County staff selected three design mockups, A, B, and C, for consideration. The designs highlight regional flora, fauna, mountains, and rivers. Public voting will determine the final design.
Who's Involved
Max Dowdle is the lead artist, coordinating North Carolina's Paint NC effort. The project aims to produce 100 murals across 100 counties, emphasizing local people, places, and histories.
Buncombe County Government is organizing the project, aligning it with the county's Helene Recovery Plan for community healing.
Asheville residents can participate through online and in-person voting. Volunteer opportunities are available for painting, with tasks including base coating, color fills, and detail work. No prior experience is needed.
Timeline and Location
Voting is open until Friday, May 1, 2026, online at buncombecounty.org or in person at the library.
Mural work is scheduled to begin the week of May 11, 2026.
The murals will be located at Pack Memorial Library in downtown Asheville, North Carolina, on both indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Project Funding and Purpose
The project is funded by $37,600 from the American Rescue Plan Act's Local Assistance & Tribal Consistency Fund. The murals aim to promote "community cohesion and emotional resilience" post-crisis, supporting economic recovery and quality of life, according to Buncombe County. Paint NC seeks to celebrate overlooked local stories statewide.
How to Participate
To vote, community members can review designs A, B, and C and submit their choice at engage.buncombecounty.org/packlibrarymural or at the library.
Those interested in volunteering for painting sessions starting May 11 can sign up through county channels. Dowdle will provide guidance during the painting process.