Beautifying the City and Building Community

New Smyrna Beach (NSB) is enhancing its art culture around town. Murals, artwork painted directly on a wall, are making the city more colorful. The murals are located in community hotspots along Flagler Avenue and in historic downtown on Canal Street. Volusia County also commissioned an artist to create a mural within Smyrna Dunes Park.

Mural in Progress in New Smyrna Beach

In May, The Hub on Canal, an artists’ incubator located on Canal Street, created a community event, Project Magnolia. The event, on May 18, invited locals and visitors to “add your paint strokes” to the mural in progress (pictured above) on The Hub’s exterior wall facing Magnolia Street, bringing people of all ages together. 

Local and Hub artist, Steve Hardock, is painting the new attraction. Photos on The Hub’s Instagram account show the mural includes local marine life like a happy dolphin, relaxed sea turtle and a grinning shark splashing through the wall. The project is still a work in progress and there is no projected finish date at this time.

New Business Brings New Art to NSB

A new business, The Florida Local Market, encouraged the community to be a part of their new mural (featured picture) located at 202 Julia Street in historic downtown. The mural was completed by local artist/illustrator and The Florida Local co-owner, Chelsea Preston, also known as Jelly Press. The brightly colored mural features an iconic beach scene complete with surfboards, palm trees and the Flagler Avenue beach approach.

According to FloridaLocalMarket.com, anyone could purchase a painted brick and become, “a little piece of history” by customizing it with their family name, wedding anniversary, etc. The bricks were sold at $50 a brick and have since sold out. 

Artwork on the Beach in Smyrna Dunes Park

Volusia County recently posted a video to the Facebook page, Volusia County Community Information, featuring the new mural that was just completed on the walls at the pavilion in Smyrna Dunes Park. The artist, Sandra Koop, painted a 36-foot mural highlighting the natural scenery and wildlife found within the park. 

In an interview, Koop says, “I wanted to include as many elements as possible, but still have a good design.” The mural is a beach scene with a couple walking their dog towards the lighthouse. 

In the water scene of the painting, a tiger shark is swimming along with a green sea turtle, stingray and a bottlenose dolphin is jumping out of the water. Sea gulls, flying pelicans and a loggerhead turtle are also a part of the scene. 

Other outstanding murals around NSB are along Flagler Avenue at the following locations: Clancy’s Cantina, Wild Side Beachwear and The Crow’s Nest. 

Murals help promote local talent and engage the community. Locals and visitors can visit these “Instagram worthy” spots and showcase how unique NSB can be.