Explore the Farmville Art Trail
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Farmville's Art Trail highlights Farmville's many public art installations and arts organizations. Beginning and ending at Farmville Public Library, the 1.2 mile Art Trail meanders through downtown Farmville to showcase larger-than-life murals, ghost signs, sculptures, galleries, and an educational glassblowing studio, with opportunities to shop and eat along the way.
Each stop along the Art Trail is accompanied by an audio recording by artists and local experts, making the public art come to life. The audio recordings are listed, and can be listened to, below. Individuals may also scan QR codes that have been strategically placed on utility poles along the trail by each Point of Interest to listen to the audio recordings while on the trail. Enjoy exploring the Art Trail and remember to use the hashtag #FarmvilleNC when sharing your photographs on social media. |
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Copies of the Farmville Art Trail map are available for free at:
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THE FARMVILLE ART TRAIL POINTS OF INTEREST
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A1 - Baitball Sculpture
The start of the Art Trail, located at Farmville Public Library, showcases a sculpture by artist David Riemer called "Baitball," which has been made out of copper and brass in 2017. The sculpture, part of the Pitt County Arts Council's DownEast Sculpture Exhibition, was installed in February 2021 and has been sponsored by the Farmville Community Arts Council. Located at 4276 West Church Street. Contact the Farmville Public Library at (252) 753-3355, library@farmvillenc.gov, or visit farmvillelibrary.org. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A2 - Farmville License Plate Mural
Adaptation of a larger-than-life traditional “FARMVILLE” license plate by artists Andrew Wells and Vincent Li. Sponsored by The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A3 - East Carolina Railway Mural
A ghost sign that preserves the original signage for the East Carolina Railroad Freight Depot dating to 1925, which was at the center of the Eastern Belt Tobacco Trade. Painted by artists Andrew Wells and Vincent Li. Sponsored by The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A4 - Orange Bicycle Rack
An example of creative place making, this artistic bicycle rack located outside of the East Carolina GlasStation was created by faculty and students from the ECU School of Art & Design. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A5 - East Carolina GlasStation
A glass art studio operated by East Carolina University that offers programming for undergraduate art students at ECU and Pitt Community College as well as the general public. The GlasStation's regularly scheduled public demonstrations will resume once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Located at 3732 West Wilson Street. Contact the GlasStation at (252) 328-6665, glass@ecu.edu, or visit their website. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A6 - Purina Chows Mural
A ghost sign reminiscent of a sign placed on the structure dating back to 1934 with several artistic enhancements. Painted by ECU students. Sponsored by The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A7 - Marbles for Glass Mural
This mural recognizes the ECU GlasStation with larger-than-life glass Marbles. Painted by students of Beth Blake, Associate Professor at the ECU School of Art & Design. Sponsored by The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A8 - Jazz Tribute Mural
This mural pays tribute to the live music that is often heard in this space. Created and designed by a graduate of the ECU College of Fine Arts. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A9 - Farmville Community Arts Council
Located in the historic Turnage Theater, the FCAC offers musicals, theater productions, musical performances, art exhibits, and school outreach programs. Located at 3723 North Main Street. Contact the Farmville Community Arts Council at (252) 753-3832 or visit their website. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A10 - Bicycle Built for Fifteen Mural
An example of creative place making, this mural depicts a 15-seat bicycle that was designed and painted to honor the hundreds of cyclists pedaling through Farmville as a part of the Mountains-to-Coast bicycle ride from October 2019. Painted by faculty and students from the ECU School of Art & Design. Sponsored by Linda Adele Goodine and The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A11 - Find it First in Farmville Mural
A ghost sign dating back to 1969 that was originally sponsored by Farmville’s Downtown Merchants Association. The intent was to brand a slogan to the encourage folks to shop local. Painted by artists Andrew Wells and Vincent Li. Sponsored by The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A12 - R.L. & B.S. Smith Horses and Mules for Sale Mural
A ghost sign recognizing the structure in which it resides: B.S. Smith Stables. Originally built in 1902, this building was home to one of Farmville’s first entrepreneurial enterprises and remained a vibrant business throughout the first half of the 1900’s. Painted by artists Andrew Wells and Vincent Li. Sponsored by The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A13 - The Plank Road Mural
This mural not only advertises an on-going business, The Plank Road Steakhouse, but pays homage to the significant local history of the Plank Road, which allowed many travelers from years gone by to safely traverse this area. Painted by artist and historian Roger Kammerer. Sponsored by the Plank Road Steak House. Located at 3689 East Wilson Street. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A14 - East Carolina ArtSpace Gallery
An art gallery focused on being a platform for more than 40 Eastern North Carolina artists in mediums from painting and drawing, to ceramics, metalwork, glass art, and photography. Includes works from the GlasStation and the NC Furniture School. Located at 3749 South Main Street. Open Wednesday through Friday, 11 am to 4 pm, and varying hours on Saturday. Contact the ArtSpace at ecasgallery@gmail.com or visit their website. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A15 - WonderBox Gallery
Located outside of Woodside Antiques (3760 South Main Street), the WonderBox Gallery utilizes a large, glass-enclosed display case to showcase a rotating collection artwork by both ECU School of Art & Design students and Farmville citizens, and to serve as a place for performance, installations, and conversation. Follow @thewonderboxgallery on social media for updates on exhibits. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A16 - A.C. Monk & Co. Leaf Tobacco Mural
For many years, Farmville found its identity as a center of activity in the tobacco industry and as being the home to A.C. Monk & Co. This mural pays homage to that history. Painted by artists Andrew Wells and Vincent Li. Sponsored by The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A17 - H.B. Sugg Celebration Mural
This mural was designed in concert with the H.B. Sugg Foundation to honor the history of the H.B. Sugg School in Farmville. It is located at the center of a park honoring the School, its leaders and alumni. Painted by artists Andrew Wells and Vincent Li. Sponsored by The Farmville Group. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A18 - Historic Jack Cobb's Barbecue Mural
This mural preserves the history of the iconic barbecue restaurant that was located in this building from 1971 to 2019. Painted by faculty and students from the ECU School of Art & Design. Sponsored by Linda Adele Goodine and East Carolina University. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A19 -Down East Sculpture Exhibit
Farmville Community Center (3886 South Main Street) is home to one of the Down East Sculpture exhibits which is rotated annually. The Down East Sculpture Exhibition is sponsored by the Pitt County Arts Council. To learn more about the the PItt County Arts Council visit their website. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
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A20 - Memorial Birdbath Sculpture
Installed at the Susan Howard Wyre Cable Memorial Garden at the May Museum & Park. Located at 3802 South Main Street. Tours available by appointment. Contact the May Museum at (252) 753-6725, museum@farmvillenc.gov, or visit their website. Read a transcript of the recording here. |
