Painting the town: Falkville’s downtown murals bring history and art to life
Photos by Rachel Howard
The Town of Falkville is experiencing a lively and artistic transformation, thanks to a series of beautiful murals painted throughout the downtown area. These projects, aimed at celebrating the town’s heritage and infusing pride into the community, have captured the attention of locals and visitors alike. Town Clerk Dawn Estes, who spearheaded the effort, recently shared insights into the process and the people behind this project that has brightened the streets and strengthened Falkville’s sense of identity.
The murals in downtown Falkville were made possible through a grant from the Morgan County Mural Trail, a program that promotes art and tourism throughout the region. Estes, who discovered artist Donald Walker through his previous work in Cullman, said once she learned that grants were available for mural projects, she was eager to bring that same level of creativity to Falkville.
“After choosing him to complete our first mural, we had the same opportunity this year again with a grant and budgeted the rest of the expense,” Estes said.
Though Walker was entrusted with bringing the murals to life, the designs were not solely his ideas. Estes, Falkville mayor Ken Winkles and other community members were deeply involved in the process, ensuring that the murals reflected Falkville’s history and values.
The first mural, painted at the stoplight near the town’s antique shop, was a true collaboration between Donald and town representatives. Winkles had specific items in mind for this mural, reflecting important elements of Falkville’s identity. Walker, working closely with the town’s leadership, incorporated these elements into the design, while adding his own artistic touch.
The two subsequent murals, located on the walls of Crossties Coffee and Apple’s Florist, were also created with a combination of input from the town and Walker’s expertise. “We asked the businesses what they wanted, and (Walker) took their ideas and wove them into his designs,” Estes explained.
One of the most exciting aspects of the murals has been the inclusion of hidden objects—small, unexpected details tucked into the artwork. These hidden treasures have become a favorite feature of the murals, sparking curiosity and excitement among both residents and visitors. There are 21 hidden objects in the murals including Elvis Presley, Frankenstein’s monster, Darth Vader, a panda bear and more.
“Our Facebook posts regarding the murals have been shared thousands of times and the two businesses have fared well due to the popularity of the murals and especially the hidden objects,” Estes said.
Emily Smith is the owner of Apple’s Florist – she said the murals have become a big conversation piece for the customers she sees.
“I think what we wanted was to give people the opportunity to slow down and enjoy something,” Smith said.
Walker said while no two murals are typical in the amount of time they take, he works quickly.
The murals in Falkville took less than two weeks from start to finish.
(“Clients) usually give me a little freedom to play with it. With this situation, we looked for an overall theme that would work well in the space,” Walker said. “We wanted people to visit, sit outside and have their coffee while enjoying the mural.
“Art should have an impact on how people feel, preferably in a positive way,” Walker added. “For me, I want everything I do to glorify God and to be something that someone who doesn’t know anything about art and who doesn’t claim to know anything about art can look at and enjoy.”
The murals are not just about aesthetics; they serve as a celebration of the town’s pride, history and the people who make Falkville unique. The goal was to create something that not only beautified the area but also fostered a sense of ownership and pride in the community. Estes believes that goal has been achieved.
As Falkville’s murals continue to draw visitors and inspire pride, Walker’s murals prove that a splash of color can make all the difference—both in the way a town looks and in the way its people feel.
