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DOWNTOWN MURALS
These murals are being painted by professional artists, thanks to a $100,000 grant from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The grant was secured through the Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grant Program. The murals will feature themes celebrating our local history, nature, and community pride.
Downtown murals are a vibrant celebration of art and community. These murals, painted on the exteriors of downtown buildings, bring life and color to the area, showcasing themes that reflect the city's culture, history, and natural beauty. They are part of an initiative to beautify the city and attract visitors, with funding and support from local organizations and artists
The murals have become a popular spot for Social Media-worthy photos, drawing both locals and tourists to capture their charm. Whether it's a nature-themed mural or a depiction of local traditions, each artwork tells a unique story and adds to the character of New Albany's downtown.
MURAL GALLERY
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The Nature Mural on the side of Nico's restaurant on Bankhead Street in Downtown New Albany is not just a breathtaking piece of art—it’s a testament to collaboration and creative vision. Painted by the talented Deborah Mansfield with assistance from Chloe Welch, this mural brings the beauty of local wildlife to life through vibrant imagery.
With its striking bird, radiant butterfly, colorful flowers, mushrooms, and lively frog, the artwork captures the essence of Mississippi’s biodiversity while transforming an ordinary wall into a community landmark. More than decoration, it symbolizes New Albany’s appreciation for nature, creativity, and public art, inspiring both locals and visitors alike.
The Jockey Yard Mural - Located: at the corner of Carter Ave. and Main Street
Interpretation by the Artist, Graham Carraway
Painted on the site of New Albany’s historic Jockey Yard, this mural is a vibrant tribute to a place once pulsing with life, trade, music, and memory. Referencing local lore, archival photos, and firsthand accounts—especially those from Union County author Borden Deal—the piece celebrates the colorful, chaotic, and deeply human history of this beloved space.
At the far left, a sunburst logo nods to the faded Double Cola ghost sign once visible at this very site. Beneath it, a stylized rendering of the 1909 Union County Courthouse roots the mural in its current-day surroundings.
A larger than life-sized donkey, mouth open in mid-bray, stands above the last remaining original concrete water trough—referencing the working animals that filled the Jockey Yard when wagons lined the street and mules were traded like currency.
A distant water tower, taken from a historic photograph of the yard, rises behind a rolling landscape of stylized crop rows. The fields stretch inward toward New Albany, symbolic of the region’s agricultural identity and how everything—goods, stories, people—converged at this hub.
A figure on horseback represents The Swift Jewel Cowboys—a promotional cowboy band for Swift’s Jewel Shortening whose rhinestone-covered chaps and boot-stomping tunes brought spectacle to the yard. This imagery also echoes Borden Deal’s tale of a lone cowboy and his string of half-wild broncos, perhaps the very inspiration for Faulkner’s Spotted Horses.
Finally, a preacher’s hand emerges holding a Bible. This image speaks to the street preachers who gathered spontaneous congregations in the Jockey Yard, turning sidewalks into pulpits.
The Musicians Mural, located along the Tanglefoot Trail in the Trailhead Plaza on the side of the Union County Appliance Building in New Albany, is a tribute to the town’s rich musical heritage and the award-winning artists who have emerged from this community.. Painted by the skilled Deborah Mansfield with the assistance of Marion Sansing and Chloe Welch, this mural beautifully captures the energy and soul of live music through bold colors and dynamic imagery.
Through bold colors and dynamic imagery, the mural honors the artistry and influence of these celebrated performers, illustrating the deep connection between New Albany and the world of music. The mural serves as a reminder of the town’s contribution to the arts and the inspiring talent that has originated here.
The New Albany Gateway Mural, painted by Graham Carraway, is a striking piece of public art that welcomes visitors as they enter downtown New Albany via Bankhead Street. The mural prominently displays the words "WELCOME TO NEW ALBANY Est. MISS. 1840", celebrating the town’s rich history and heritage.
MEET THE ARTIST
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Deborah Mansfield, an accomplished artist with a rich background in landscape architecture from Ohio State University. After a distinguished career designing and enhancing spaces, Deborah transitioned into decorative painting and became widely recognized for her work in prestigious homes across the southwest. Now semi-retired and based in West Point, Mississippi, she dedicates her time to creating community art projects, murals, and even hosting creative paint parties in her Main Street studio. Her passion for transforming public spaces into shared expressions of identity shines brightly in this masterpiece.
Marion Sansing, born and raised in Munich, Germany, grew up surrounded by art and creativity. For nearly two decades, she has called Starkville, Mississippi her home, infusing the town with her vibrant artistic spirit. Marion collaborates with the talented Deborah Mansfield, creating stunning murals that brighten communities across Mississippi. She also dedicates her time to the Black Prairie Blues Museum, celebrating the intersection of art and history.
Marion's artistic passions include the richness of acrylics, the softness of pastels, and the delicate transparency of watercolors. Her large pastel paintings are proudly featured at the McCall Gallery in New Orleans, LA
Graham Carraway, a talented Mississippi-born artist now based in Denver, Colorado, specializes in a variety of mediums, including murals, sculptures, letterpress printing, and woodworking. After earning a Business Finance degree from Mississippi State University and working in finance, Graham pursued his artistic passion full-time in 2018. His creative journey has taken him across the U.S., with his work reflecting a blend of his Southern roots and the inspiration from cities he's lived in, such as New Orleans and Phoenix. You can explore his artwork on his official website.
Chloe Welch is a free-lance artist spreading her talents from graphic design creating websites, logos, and festival posters, to illustrating children’s books, and now painting murals with Deborah Mansfield. From Madison, MS Chloe was born with an eye for art, refining her skills with a Bachelor of Art Degree from Mississippi State University. She now calls West Point, MS home, and can be found working at Anthony’s Good Food Market on the weekends, when she’s not on a scissor lift painting or behind a computer designing .