A Monumental Mural Unveiled in Winston-Salem Celebrates R.J. Reynolds Tobacco’s Milestone
Winston-Salem’s latest artistic marvel has been unveiled—a sprawling mural commemorating the 150th anniversary of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. The unveiling ceremony, held on Tuesday afternoon, marked the completion of a project that artistically chronicles the legacy of both the company and the city itself.
The mural stretches impressively over two football fields in length along Reynolds Boulevard, covering more than 55,000 square feet of a corrugated industrial wall. This ambitious undertaking took approximately 14 months to bring to fruition, tracing the intertwined histories of Reynolds and Winston-Salem.
Local artists Leo Rucker and Joey Allen dedicated around 2,000 hours to the project, utilizing nearly 400 gallons of paint and 9,000 cans of spray paint. Their collaborative effort has transformed the landscape, adding a vibrant visual narrative to the community.
Leo Rucker, a Winston-Salem native, shared the emotional impact of seeing the completed work. “As an artist, you dream for an opportunity, you know, that makes an everlasting statement, and especially here in Winston-Salem, because I’ve been here all my life,” he said. “And now, you know, this wonderful opportunity has crossed our paths, and here we are, creating something that the community can speak to art out loud. If you dream big enough, big dreams will come.”
Joey Allen, who hails from nearby King, reflected on the project’s journey, remarking, “It’s really refreshing to have a moment to step back and reflect on how far we’ve come with the project. You know, it’s my hope that the community is proud of the work that we’ve done here and can feel a sense of pride in the area that they are from. But also, from the beginning of the project to now, I’m realizing that everything that we’ve put on the wall is the community.”
Allen expressed hope that their work will inspire artists of all ages. The mural is now open for public viewing between Whitaker Park and Shorefair Drive in Winston-Salem.
