Nacogdoches' Downtown Mural Tour
The "Brushing up Nac" Project
Brushing up Nac is a non-profit creating murals in downtown Nacogdoches. To learn more about this project, or to donate, visit their website.
Visit the murals, and listen to an audio recording about the history of these artworks below.
Corner of Main and North streets
Garden Capital of Texas Mural
In 2013, Ab Abernathy, a gardening enthusiast and professor at Stephen F. Austin University, worked with our Texas State House Representative, Travis McClardy, to have Nacogdoches declared as the "Garden Capital of Texas." Our rich soils and moderate climate were recognized by many, including Frederick Olmstead, the landscape architect of Central Park in New York.
Artists: Michelle Filer (Painter), Wendy Floyd (Photographer)
Building Owner: Randy Johnson
Donors: Randy Johnson, Garden Capital Garden Club, Nacogdoches Master Gardeners, The Blueberry Place, Gail And Robert Mccandless, Lynn Carey Myers, Carol And Greg Powers
In-Kind Donors: Sherwin Williams Paint Of Nacogdoches, Windham Pressure Washing
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Southeast Corner of Main and South streets
Welcome to Nacogdoches Mural
This large existing mural/billboard was fading and peeling badly in places. Rather than update it, we decided it would be the perfect location for an impactful "Welcome to Nacogdoches" with the nine flying flags of our history.
Artist: Dixie Rose Daniels and Michelle Filer
Building Owner: Randy Johnson, Johnson furniture
Donors: Randy Johnson, Nacogdoches Main Street, Visit Nacogdoches, Lynn Carey Myers, Robert McCandless
In-kind Donors: Sherwin Williams paint of Nacogdoches, University Rentals
Near the Corner of South and Pilar Streets
Los Ojos Del Padre Margil
Formerly a wall of manufacturer logos, this wall is now a tribute to one of our historic heroes, Father Margil. He established a Catholic/Spanish mission in Nacogdoches and after much prayer, he sprouted two springs of life-saving water during a long-term drought.
Artist: J.D. Cole (with Melanie Cole)
Building Owner: Randy Johnson, Johnson Furniture
Donors: Randy Johnson, Nacogdoches Main Street, Sacred Heart Catholic Church
In-kind donors: Sherwin Williams paint of Nacogdoches, University Rentals
Located at Red House Winery
Our Lady of Pilar
This art piece was gifted to the town of Nacogdoches through a private donation by Michelle Filer, Lynn Myers and carpenter Joshua Wood. Mary the Mother of Jesus miraculously appeared to the Apostle James in 40 A.D. in Zaragoza, Spain. She gave James a small statue of herself standing on a pillar of jasper. The statue on the pillar became the center of Zaragoza's Shrine of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, Our Lady of the Pilar.
Artist: Michelle Filer
Donors: Michelle Filer, Lynn Myers, and carpenter Joshua Wood.
Building Owner: Rikki Leigh Willoughby
South Pecan Street (The Backside Of Gifts And Greeks)
Nacogdoches Legacy Mural
Amanda Raby, a proud 7th generation Daughter of the Republic of Texas, draws upon her deep ancestral ties to Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas, as inspiration for a timeless mural. This monumental 57'X15' artwork, commissioned by the Main St. Improvement district, stands as a cherished hometown legacy, celebrating the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of Nacogdoches
Artist: Amanda Raby
Pilar Street
Nacogdoches Figureheads
In the spring of 2019, the Nacogdoches Main St department commissioned Dixie Rose to paint the Nacogdoches figureheads. She wanted to modernize these figures' images and attract modern minds' attention to these historical figures in hopes of prompting viewers to research their significance. The bold colors are intended to not only grab the attention of people passing through but to also send a message about diversity, progression, and inclusivity of our present and future town.
From left to right: Antonio Gil Y'Barbo, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Adolphus Sterne
Artist: Dixie Rose Daniels
Corner of Pilar and Fredonia Streets
Coca Cola Mural
This advertising mural was originally completed by sign painter, Jimmy Daniels, in 1994. Over the past 30 years, it began to fade and peel. We wanted to preserve this iconic mural on the Square, so it was completely refreshed by Jimmy Daniels' daughter, Dixie Rose and his wife, Merry Anne Bright. We hope the mural will last another few decades.
Artists: Dixie Rose Daniels, Merry Anne Bright
Building Owner: Steve Hartz, The Old String Shop
Donor: Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
In-kind Donors: Sherwin Williams paint of Nacogdoches
319 Pilar Street
Sweet Living in Nac
Just for fun, we did a community-wide painting project for the 2024 Blueberry Festival. The artwork was carefully designed and drawn on substrate and over 100 volunteers came out to "paint by number!" Well done, Nacogdoches!
Artist/Designer: Tracy Pinkston
Building Owner: Brad Fortney
Donors: Many community volunteers & Lynn Carey Myers
In-Kind Donors: Sherwin Williams Paint of Nacogdoches & Nacogdoches Chamber
Church Street
I Love Nacogdoches
Commissioned by the Nacogdoches Main St. department in the Spring of 2019, Dixie Rose painted the I Love Nacogdoches mural. With an eye on one window, love across the doors, and Texas with Nacogdoches starred on the last window portrays her love for Nacogdoches. However, the painted eye has a dual meaning, signifying that literal eyes love Nacogdoches and that we have an abundance of beautiful scenery, architecture, and events that can be enjoyed in the town.
Artist: Dixie Rose Daniels
North And East Hospital Street
A Town Built on Faith
We acknowledge the historical influence of the various church communities in Nacogdoches by highlighting six of the very earliest church buildings, almost all prior to 1850.
Artist: Odessa Helm
Building Owner: United Methodist Church
Donors: Tba
In-Kind Donors: Sherwin Williams Paint Of Nacogdoches, University Rentals