New Murals Bring Color and Creativity to Culpeper’s Heritage Park

Community workshop celebrates local creativity and expands Culpeper’s growing public art scene

Heritage Park has three colorful new additions thanks to the creativity and collaboration of local residents and professional artists who participated in the Town of Culpeper’s Making a Mural Workshop Series.

Hosted by the Culpeper Tourism and Town Economic Development Department, the four-week workshop brought together 18 community participants and three professional local mural artists to create original works of art for the Heritage Park Public Art Structures. The completed murals celebrate creativity, community collaboration, and Culpeper’s growing public art scene.

Held September 22 through October 13, the workshop offered participants a unique, hands-on opportunity to experience the mural-making process from concept to completion. Working in small groups, participants learned professional techniques including design development, surface preparation, color selection, painting, and finishing details.

Three talented local professional artists led the workshop, each bringing a distinct artistic style and expertise:

• Crystal Burnham – Hand Lettering & Typography: Combining artistic lettering and graphic design to create visually engaging murals.
• Kat Tines – Florals: Creating colorful, nature-inspired artwork with a focus on floral designs.
• Layton Scarbrough – Wildlife: Bringing wildlife-inspired artwork to life through vibrant colors and detailed imagery.

Each artist worked alongside six participants to develop and complete a collaborative mural, giving attendees the opportunity to learn directly from experienced professionals while helping transform a public space.

“This workshop was about more than just painting murals. It was about bringing people together, encouraging creativity, and giving our community the opportunity to play an active role in shaping Culpeper’s public spaces,” said Paige Read, Director of Culpeper Tourism and Town Economic Development. “Seeing these murals come to life through the collaboration of our artists and participants is exactly the kind of community engagement we hoped to inspire.”

The new murals can be found in Heritage Park, the Town of Culpeper’s newest public gathering space.  The murals were painted on three permanent art structures, designed to host evolving artistic expressions.   

The workshop is part of the Town’s continued efforts to expand public art programming and strengthen Culpeper’s growing arts and cultural scene. Building on that momentum, the Town is preparing for the Culpeper Arts Festival, scheduled for May 1–2, 2027, which will feature live mural painting, local and regional artists, artisan vendors, live music, and interactive art experiences throughout historic downtown Culpeper.

“Public art creates a sense of place, encourages community pride, and gives residents and visitors new reasons to explore Culpeper,” added Read. “We’re excited to continue building on these creative opportunities through initiatives like the upcoming Culpeper Art Festival.”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by Heritage Park to view the completed murals and experience the creativity of Culpeper’s community firsthand.

About Culpeper Tourism and Town Economic Development

The Town of Culpeper Tourism and Town Economic Development Department is dedicated to strengthening the local economy, supporting businesses, enhancing quality of life, and promoting Culpeper as a vibrant destination for visitors and residents. Through strategic partnerships, creative initiatives, and community-focused programming, the department works to celebrate Culpeper’s unique character and create opportunities for continued growth.

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