As Ridgewood Shopping Center gets a fresh face-lift, one local creative is also decking it out with a brand-new work of art. Enter Charlotte-born, Raleigh-based Denise Hughes’ two towering oak tree silhouettes now “growing on the walls” beside Whole Foods and Drift—with a third set to sprout this fall.
An homage to the City of Oaks’ nickname and natural beauty, the brushstrokes also depict curious animals—think raccoons, birds, rabbits and dogs—as a “celebration of our shared roots, where nature and community intertwine,” says the artist, who worked alongside architects and in collaboration with studio mate artist Autumn Cobeland and photographer Simon Griffiths earlier this summer to breathe new life into the established spot.
“The shopping center has been a landmark in Raleigh for almost 75 years, long before the city’s major growth took place,” she adds, “so bringing the center ‘back to its roots’ was the sensible choice.”
And it’s not the first time Hughes has left her mark around town. Calling Raleigh her forever home for almost 30 years, the multidisciplinary artist specializes in murals, oil painting and even underwater swim painting—plus upcycled assemblages that put her passion of taking garbage to gallery at the forefront. “My love of art lies with sustainability,” she emphasizes.
After discovering a devastating video about microplastics in our oceans, the artist took it upon herself to draft a program, take it to schools and let the community in on her junk-to-genius effort. “In today’s throwaway culture, I feel it’s even more important to realize the effects on our planet and oceans,” asserts Hughes, “and to emphasize that all of us can do our part to keep it clean.”
One such green-minded piece, made entirely out of upcycled plastic, is a large-scale portrait of Dolly Parton—one of Hughes’ favorite musicians. Working, ahem, “9 to 5” during the pandemic, she fabricated the Dolly artwork from her kids’ old toys and a mountain of buttons. Although the music legend famously abstains from purchasing self-portraits, she made an exception for this one—Legos, Barbie limbs and all—which now hangs in the foyer of her Nashville mansion.
Proving that almost any item can be made into a vibrant work of art, Hughes continues to deliver her strokes of genius across Raleigh—and beyond. Color us impressed. denisehughes.com
En route to Smoky Hollow? Check out the new mural nearby.
Next time you’re headed to hang in the Hollow for mealtime marvels (hey, Madre and Morelia Gourmet Paletas!) or a hot yoga sesh at Dose, take a pause to peep a newly minted mural by talented local muralistJonathan Massullo nestled on Tucker between Glenwood and West. Spray-painted on a duo of train track pillars, the whimsical depiction portraying a Zen frog and slug amid a natural backdrop of mushrooms, flowers, dragonflies and butterflies is sure to add a bit of color and creativity to your trek.
“Inspiration comes from lots of places—and inspiration for murals is often shaped to a degree by their public nature,” notes Massullo. “I am often impressed with the stubborn resilience of life and the natural world. [For example], I love seeing an old farmhouse get absolutely devoured by undergrowth.” … Essentially, rural meets urban in art form.
From accessible art to ’Grammable backdrops for a ’fit check, Raleigh is brimming with postworthy murals to explore.
Raleigh is a city for creatives. And not just those who know how to use a paintbrush, but folks who appreciate art in its myriad forms. The City of Oaks is splashed with murals of all shapes, sizes and colors by local artists who see blank spaces as canvases for expressive opportunities. Read: Transforming Raleigh into a more diverse (and colorful!) place to live. Here, we delve into recent murals (plus a longtime fave) sure to draw a crowd.
Irregardless Cafe
And that’s a rap! Artist Dare Coulter depicts Busta Rhymes and his son in a celebration of the beauty of Black fatherhood around the corner of the cafe. The acclaimed artist emphasizes the importance of Black families and a father’s role in their children’s life journey with the quote, “The world is yours, young king. In the end, I hope you only turn out better than me.” (*Pause for the ”aws.’”*) … Go on, ~Busta~ move and check it out!
Raleigh’s Smallest Park
Small park, big energy (!). ICYMI, Dix Park—aka Raleigh’s largest urban park—debuted Raleigh’s smallest park in June, with a mural by local artist Gabriel Eng-Goetz painted in September 2022 serving as the park’s main focal point. For an opportune photo op, take a seat on one of the mushroom seats by installation artist, photographer and Art Director Katie Stewart amid the kitschy-colored plants + patterns. It’s giving Alice in Wonderland vibes—in the best way.
Do Good
Inspo to do a little bit of good found. Painted in partnership with 100+ volunteers, this Downtown mural reads “Do Good”—and practices what it preaches. The colorful East Martin Street canvas was brought to life by visual storyteller Okirah Harris with support from Activate Good, Raleigh Murals Project and PNC.
Raleigh Iron Works’ public arts program—in collaboration with The Collision Project—is off to a great st(art). Two initial works from Triangle-based artists feature murals amplifying the industrial history of the property—from interdisciplinary artist Gabriel Eng-Goetz’s commemoration of the property with a seven-story mural of a female iron welder to Morgan Cook’s mural merging shape, color and movement by showcasing the association of graffiti with railway systems. Next to join the lineup this fall is a piece by Raleigh native Taylor White set to highlight the male and female workers of the Peden Steel Company. That is so metal!
