The Town of Burgaw welcomes a new mural that brings both outdoor art and history to the downtown area.
As you travel through downtown Burgaw, you will see an image of a train on the front of the iconic antique store, Burgaw Antiqueplace.
Just as the town was discussing the creation of its mural ordinance to welcome murals to town while encouraging and incorporating arts within the community, John Westbrook, owner of Burgaw Antiqueplace, decided that rather than replacing a broken window, he would work to create an area for a smaller mural to be placed.
“I wanted to turn this space into a place for art,’’ Westbrook says. “I wanted it to have a historical relevance.”
During some research by the town’s local historian, Mike Taylor, it was discovered that William A. Wright was the Wilmington and Weldon Railway president in the mid-1800s, when Burgaw was founded, and passenger locomotive #31 was named after him.
Westbrook worked with one of Burgaw’s local artists, Eden Mills, to paint this train on his mural project.
“It was an honor to paint the W. A. Wright train that once ran through Burgaw,” Mills says. “Murals will help our businesses grow as people, and tourists admire these works of art. I enjoyed painting this locomotive for Burgaw Antiqueplace and I appreciate all the feedback and support for large murals in the Town of Burgaw.”
Mills has been painting and creating art since she was very young. She has completed many painted projects and murals throughout the community within many area businesses.
She also has an art studio located within The Arts at Burgaw Antiqueplace.
“The mural has already been enjoyed with visitors taking pictures of friends and family after enjoying the new brewery and restaurant next door and while shopping downtown and at Burgaw Antiqueplace,” Westbrook says.
