Meet the Artist Behind the Statesville Heritage Festival Community Mural
As part of the inaugural Statesville Heritage Festival, visitors will have the opportunity to experience more than live music, cultural performances, and great food—they'll also help create a lasting piece of public art.
On Saturday, August 1, acclaimed mural artist Julio Gonzalez will lead a collaborative community mural that celebrates the many cultures, traditions, and stories that make Statesville unique. Throughout the day, festival attendees of all ages are invited to pick up a paintbrush and become part of an artwork that will continue inspiring the community long after the festival ends.
Art That Brings a Community Together
Throughout the day on Saturday, August 1, visitors will have the opportunity to help paint a large-scale mural celebrating the people, cultures, and stories that make Statesville unique.
Designed by Julio Gonzalez, the mural features symbols representing the many communities that have shaped our city. Rather than simply watching an artist at work, festival-goers of all ages will be invited to pick up a paintbrush and help bring the mural to life.
Each person who participates becomes part of the story.
About Julio Gonzalez
Julio Gonzalez is an acclaimed muralist known for creating vibrant public art that celebrates culture, identity, and community. His murals can be found throughout the United States and beyond, transforming public spaces into colorful landmarks that inspire conversation and connection.
His work often blends bold imagery with meaningful storytelling, creating artwork that reflects the history and diversity of the communities where he paints. Whether working with schools, nonprofits, or cities, Julio believes public art is most powerful when the community helps create it.
That philosophy makes him the perfect artist to lead this special project during the Statesville Heritage Festival.
More Than One Mural
While the mural will begin as one collaborative artwork during the festival, it has been intentionally designed with the future in mind.
The finished piece will be divided into eight individual panels that can stand alone while still connecting to form one larger image. After the festival, these panels will be installed at locations throughout Statesville, allowing the mural's message of unity and celebration to be shared across the community.
It's a lasting reminder that while every culture has its own story, together we create something even greater.
Event Info
The Statesville Heritage Festival takes place on Saturday, August 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Statesville Event Center. Admission is free and the festival features live music, cultural performances, artisan vendors, food, family activities, and interactive experiences celebrating the many cultures that make our community vibrant.
