Artists from around the world participate in Richmond Mural Project

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - If you've driven around Richmond this week, you may have noticed some colorful changes going on in the city.

10 new murals are popping up from Shockoe Bottom to the Museum District. It's part of the final stage of a five-year-long effort to create 100 murals in RVA.

Artist Handiedan hails from Amsterdam, but she came all the way to Virginia to create a piece on 15th Street for the Richmond Mural Project. A first time visitor to the river city, she's says the city's history and architecture inspired her.

"I think it works out really well. You see the structures especially in the skin part. The stone comes through and the interaction with the color of the stone," she said.

The Mural Project's organizer, Shane Pomajambo, said he was inspired to bring more color to the city five years ago.

"The whole notion is if you have 100 murals from the best muralists is the world in one place, people will come. So that's where the economic development, tourism, and creative economics come," said Pomajambo

Over the past five years, Pomajambo says more than 80 works of art have been painted and sprayed or plastered onto the city's walls. Each work has a unique theme and design.

This year, the project will reach more than 100 murals, but Pomajambo says that doesn't mean creating art in RVA is over.

"How does Richmond capitalize on what it has now? We've seen so many great things like scavenger hunts, walking tours, bus tours, bike tours," he said.

Brooklyn based artists ASPV are creating giant lady bug mural just off of Main Street. They hope their art inspires and delights Richmonders and visitors alike.

"It's like giving a gift to the city. It engenders a lot of good feelings for people. It gets people talking," said ASPV. "It also gets people visiting sites and areas that they normally wouldn't."

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