Public art can have a powerful role in a community, according to the head of a local project.

“By turning blank business corridor walls into canvases for colorful stories, the Carolina Beach Mural Project gives everyone – locals and tourists alike – a true sense of place, inviting them to engage with the town’s heritage and encouraging cultural tourism,” said Maureen Lewis, founder and president of the nonprofit. “Business owners also enjoy featuring the murals in their marketing efforts, and public art encourages inspiration and offers everyone the chance to connect emotionally, no matter where they are.”

After relocating to Carolina Beach from the West Coast in 2019, Lewis noticed a wall mural at The Last Resort by Rob Fogle. That sparked Lewis’ curiosity about why the area lacked more murals.

“When I discovered there were others interested in a mural program but uncertain about how to begin, I drew on my experience as a board member of the Hermosa Beach Murals Project to lay the groundwork,” said Lewis.

In late 2019, she connected with others who shared the vision for more public art in Carolina Beach. The Island Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) organization, took the group under its umbrella to allow the Carolina Beach Mural Project to raise funds. Once established as its own 501(c)(3), the group left the organization and became its own unique public art nonprofit.

Lewis’ prior experience working for major corporations, including Virgin Megastores, Neiman Marcus, Mattel and Belkin, provided skills that have proven to be invaluable to running the nonprofit, she said. She has worked to surround herself with talented individuals and has engaged local business leaders, individuals, families, businesses, Town of Carolina Beach staff and other nonprofits that encourage and support the mission, Lewis said.

“I am so not an artist,” added Lewis. “I am project manager, fundraising hustler, social media content creator and team cheerleader.”

The Carolina Beach Mural Project raises funds by selling merchandise, throwing an annual croquet tournament and hosting ticketed artist meet-and-greet events.

“While some ideas succeed, others fall flat, and we learn and move on,” said Lewis.

The Carolina Beach Mural Project’s success as a public art destination for Eastern Carolina has inspired other towns, including Surf City and Polson, Montana, to pursue their own public art/mural programs.

Additionally, over the past six years, more than $280,000 in commissions have been distributed to artists from North Carolina, including many residing in New Hanover County, and a secondary industry of entrepreneurs has started sanctioned mural tours and mural photography tours.

Taking risks and being both creative and entrepreneurial have been essential to finding new ways to bring public art to the community, she said. Over the years, the organization has installed murals on a pumphouse, an ice trailer, a Carolina Beach Boardwalk alleyway, a whale float, surfboards and 4-by-8-foot panels.

“Choosing the final artist concept from the many mural submissions every year is always exciting and fun,” Lewis said. “The final mural reveal to the public is the cherry on top.”