The Mural Trail of Shelby County

Helena sits frozen in time, letting visitors get a glimpse into the antique charm of older Southern architecture. The murals of Helena and Alabaster bring a different edge to the area that really rounds out the vibe of the Old Town area, so make sure you don’t miss these on your next visit:

• Helena Husky mural: This public art piece depicts an adorable husky dog rocking a pair of groovy sunglasses.
• Patriots Park mural: The Patriots Park mural in Alabaster illustrates the heroic first responders of Alabaster and some of the area’s most iconic natural landmarks. This mural has only been installed recently by local artist Emily Wilson, who also has a documentary of her process painting the mural on her socials!

Montevallo is the best place to go if you want to get the most out of the Shelby County Mural Trail in the most efficient amount of time, with Montevallo Main Street absolutely packed to the brim with some of the most beautiful wall murals in the entire state of Alabama:

• “Make Your Mark, Montevallo” mural: Have a meal at Main Street Tavern (one of Discover Shelby’s favorite Montevallo restaurants) and take in the “Make Your Mark, Montevallo” mural, which showcases some of Montevallo’s historical figures and must-visit local attractions.
• “Nurture Nature” mural: The charming, vintage-style word art on this mural reminds us how to treat Mother Earth. While you’re in Montevallo, you can learn more about Shelby County’s natural world by exploring the Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve or Shoal Creek Park. 
• “Your City” mural: This mural in Shoal Creek Park uses exciting, bright color palates to combine elements of the future and the natural world, ultimately calling us to reflect on our responsibilities as citizens of our communities. 
• Dream Big, the Sky is the Limit mural: There is no mural quite like this one in Shelby County. Glowing under a group of spotlights, this mural is best to go see at night, when the images of a female airplane pilot and old-fashioned glider plane illuminate against the night.
• Ebenezer Ecosystem mural: The Ebenezer Ecosystem mural depicts the wetland ecosystem of Montevallo’s Ebenezer Ecological Preserve (pro tip: you can actually take a boardwalk hike through this preserve--it is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the state, home to unique species of Tupelo gum trees, cone-flowers, and beavers!).
• Follow the Light mural: One of the newest murals of Montevallo, this mural incorporates elements of the University of Montevallo and the Ebenezer Swamp, with its subject immersed in a dreamlike natural landscape and surrounded by local species of ibis, hawk, and insects. 
• Magnolia Blossoms mural: The Magnolia Blossom mural employs a graffiti-style of painting to create an image of the Magnolia Blossoms, one of Alabama’s most iconic and beautiful flowers. 
• Main Street Montevallo 1916 mural: Walk a little bit farther down Main Street and you’ll find the Main Street Montevallo 1916 mural. This mural takes you back in time to what the city of Montevallo looked like 100 years after its initial founding.
• Pecan Grove Stage mural: Painted alongside a renovated storage pod, this unique mural uses unique, neon colors to create this one-of-one painting in downtown Montevallo.
• Pendleton Hydrant Trail: Throughout Montevallo, you’ll be able to find fire hydrants that have been painted with funny faces, each given a distinct name and painted by a different local Montevallo artist.
• Phone Booth Wall mural: This is one of the newer murals to the Montevallo area, and it depicts a line of people in 1930s garb waiting in line against to make a call at the corner’s phone booth. What’s even better about this mural is that it is actually directly next to where a phone booth used to stand, with plans for a refurbished replica of the booth to be installed there soon.
• Recycling mural: The bright blues of the Recycling mural remind us of the importance of being good citizens of our environment. On a beautiful sunny day, visiting this mural would be a great way to remind yourself why and how Shelby County has become one of the most naturally-beautiful regions in the Southeast.

You can find one mural in both Columbiana and Calera. These murals are nestled in the small-town vibes of these towns’ main streets, so you can’t miss them! While you’re on the mural trail, you should also visit the adorable shops, boutiques, and local restaurants!:

• “Welcome to Columbiana” mural:  Main Street Columbiana's sole mural highlights the community’s commitment to supporting one another and coming together to celebrate their neighbors.
• The Coca-Cola mural: The Coca-Cola mural in Calera Courtyard is one of Shelby County’s most iconic, evoking the nostalgia of the early days of Calera’s founding. The Calera Courtyard is a must-visit spot in the area!