The latest work of public art in Greenville, NC’s uptown shopping and dining district has been unveiled. A 3D mural has been installed on the wall of the Starlight Café on Fifth Street, across from Five Points Plaza.

“Uptown Greenville is a unique, vibrant, dynamic, pedestrian friendly location; a regional destination and a place to live, play, eat, shop and invest,” said Bianca Shoneman, Executive Director of Uptown Greenville. “Public art adds to the district's destination feel by creating a unique, walkable experience. Not every city does this – it’s really wonderful that Greenville supports a public art program.”

The artwork was created for Greenville as part of a grant awarded by ArtPlace America to the Public Arts Collective’s Art-Force Program. The project allied artist and former East Carolina University professor Jan-RuWan with Parrott Canvas to design new products and demonstrate their partnership in a public context for all to enjoy.  The new products include baskets and cross-body bags and can be seen at the Pitt County Arts Council at Emerge and purchased at Parrott Canvas.

“Art-Force believes communities can use artists’ imaginations to retool manufacturing and assist communities in an economic transformation,” said Art-Force Co-Directors Janet Kagan and Jean Greer. “The purpose of the Greenville alliance is just that – to develop new products for Parrott Canvas with the imagination of artist Jan-Ru Wan, bolster the company’s workforce and, ultimately, stimulate the town’s overall vitality.”

“Public art can have a transformative effect on an area,” said Greenville’s Economic Development Officer Carl Rees. “It helps create a sense of place, gives an area an identity, and helps attract visitors and businesses alike.”

Wan’s mural joins the recent installations of sculptures, functional art benches, and art and architecture inspired flower pots and bike racks throughout the uptown.

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