Boring brick walls and plain sheet metal buildings are a thing of the past here in Conway, thanks to our amazing local muralists. Over the past decade, the scenery around these parts has been changing in bright and bold ways. Nowadays, when you drive or walk through Conway, you’ll see breathtaking artwork all over the place! This spotlight will show some love to some of the most aesthetically pleasing, instagram-able murals and their artists.
THESE VIVID, FLOWY WILDFLOWERS AT THE BRICK ROOM - BY @ARTBYJESSICAJONES
This fun floral arrangement was painted by Central Arkansas muralist Jessica Jones! It’s such a cute backdrop for any photo-op: an insta post, a group photo, senior pictures, and even weddings at the Brick Room!
THIS BUTTERFLY LOVER’S DREAM AT FRONT ST. AND VAN RONKLE ST. - BY @ARTBYJESSICAJONES
This giant mural is so bright, you couldn’t miss it! This dreamy butterfly is amazing in person, and its colorful wings are the perfect backdrop for any picture! This piece was also done by Jessica Jones.
THE LARGER-THAN-LIFE CRANE AT THE STUDIO DOWNTOWN - BY @ARTBYJESSICAJONES
Conway’s amazing coworking space, The Studio Downtown, doubles as an art installation of sorts for some more of Jessica Jones’ (pictured) work. For example, the amazing Crane mural she’s posed in front of for this picture. You’ll have to see it for yourself to grasp the colors and majesty of this piece - it makes for a lovely photo backdrop.
About Jessica Jones
Jessica Jones, artist behind the first 3 murals in this highlight, has been revamping walls since she was 28! Although murals and art commissions are now her full-time gig, it wasn’t always that way. She started out doing art for fun, completing a project here and there for friends and family. Jessica said that things eventually just “snowballed” into a career!
Jessica’s work can be found in Arkansas cities such as Conway, Little Rock, Jacksonville, and Fayetteville and more nationally in Baton Rouge, LA , Memphis, TN, Kansas City, KS and even in Michigan! She draws her inspiration for nature - walks in the woods, wildflowers, and critters of all kinds are her muse.
Murals can take her anywhere from a week to a month, and they can last up to 30 years! Jessica says that we can help artists like herself by taking pictures, sharing them to social media, and tagging the artist! You can also purchase prints of your favorite murals.
Art by Jessica Jones website
IG: @artbyjessicajones
FB: Art by Jessica Jones
THESE PERFECT PLANTS AT BLUE SAIL COFFEE - BY @CEILING_PHAN
Blue Sail Coffee is such a staple in Conway’s downtown landscape, and now, the outdoor seating area is graced with beautiful painted foliage done by Conway local muralist, Caitlyn Phan! The shades of green in the leaves, the bright red berries, and the delicate white blossoms of this mural are sure to take your instagram post to the next level! Next time you’re there, snap a pic of you and your bestie toasting your cold brews.
THE CLASSIC STYLE SPARROWS AT THE UNDERGROUND ARTWALK - BY @CEILING_PHAN
These vivid sparrows and the giant “Jireh” in a classic font are so eye-catching! This piece, also done by Caitlyn Phan, uses classic lines and colors to emulate an old-school tattoo vibe! If you’re looking for a cool background to pose in front of for the gram, you’ve got to check this piece out. You can find this mural (along with the following 3 murals in this post) in Conway’s Underground Art Walk. It’s all located in the tunnel under Prince Street along the Tucker Creek Trail.
Meet Caitlyn Phan
As a budding artist, in Central Arkansas, Caitlyn Phan is seriously on the rise! Having now completed multiple murals in Conway, she’s going places. Caitlyn got her first taste of murals back in High School when her art club was commissioned to paint two murals - one at a mural festival and the other in a local restaurant.
Caitlyn pulls much of her inspiration from her Christian faith and from nature. She’s inspired by Bible verses and God’s character. Recently, she was tasked with adding two murals in her local church, City Church.
Though Caitlyn would love to spend all day, every day painting, full-time muraling is not in the cards at the moment! She’s a full-time student at UCA and has a big heart for working in ministry.
Caitlyn’s advice for how you can support artists like herself is to give them exposure - take pictures, share, and tag the artist in your posts - and “DON’T GRAFFITI OVER ART!”
THIS BRIGHT, ABSTRACT MOSAIC AT THE UNDERGROUND ARTWALK - BY @KRISTA.DRAWS
This piece has so much to look at and so many colors to enjoy! Freelance and commission visual artist, Krista Hogan, did this amazing piece in the Underground Art Walk! It’s so fun and funky, and it makes for a unique background for picture taking. If you feature this piece on your own IG, be sure to tag the artist!
THESE BREATHTAKING ANGEL WINGS AT THE UNDERGROUND ARTWALK - BY @MADSWAY_ART
Self-taught local artist Madsway crafted these humongous angel wings in the Underground Art Walk! The blue colors are vivid, and the wings reach all the way for the sky. This mural would make for a totally epic Instagram post.
THE DREAMY DANDELION SUNSET AT THE UNDERGROUND ARTWALK - BY @BRITTANYMILLERARTS
The last mural in this highlight is a whimsical sunset featuring some person-sized dandelions being wisped away by the wind. Don’t you feel like making a wish? Head to the Underground Art Walk to take some amazing pictures with these cotton candy sunset colors as a backdrop!
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
Muralists LOVE for folks to take pictures in front of their artwork. If you post a photo on social media and can tag the artist, you definitely should. This helps the artist reach new audiences and grow their business.
Conway’s murals are so much fun, and we’re seeing more and more pop up all the time! If you spy a mural you absolutely love, let us know! We’d love to show it off here!
