Downtown Conway Mural Guide

If you didn't quite get your art fix at the recent Artfields festival in Lake City and want to discover more public art, you must check out the beautiful murals in Downtown Conway. All within walking distance from each other, or a quick peel scooter ride if you want to make it a bit more interesting, Historic Downtown Conway boasts nine gorgeous murals with unique backstories.

Kingston Park Shoo-Fly

This mural depicts, the Wilmington, Chadbourne and Conwayboro Railroad Engine No. 62, the Shoo-Fly, on Main Street in downtown Conway, SC circa 1887. Originally, before entering Main Street, the train would veer off onto a side track, then reverse and back into downtown. The tracks merged with Main Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. At that time the tracks ended at the Waccamaw River, near the train depot, and the town wharf. 

Artist: Tommy Simpson

Dedicated: September 18,2019

Location: Kingston Park, 309 N. Main St. Conway, SC

Trestle

This piece was commissioned in 2021 by the Trestle Café. Seeing the wonderful recent mural additions to the downtown district, Mr. Smith wanted to capture Norman Rockwell's style of photo-realism with an installation in the alley dining area. Incorporating the iconic trestle railroad bridge and a typical summer day fishing on the Waccamaw River, this image has become a Conway Favorite.

Artist: Tommy Simpson

Commissioned: 2021

Location: On the side of the Trestle Cafe, 308 N. Main St. Conway, SC

Papa's General Store

 The late Craig Smith, Papa's General Store, founder, commissioned this mural in the summer of 2019 after viewing historic photos of the many murals that existed in Downtown Conway in the 1940s and 1950s. His vision was to peek inside an "old timey" general store, well incorporating a vintage Coca-Cola painted ad sign. If you look closely at the image, you may just spy a few familiar faces, as Craig and his son, Chris, bear a striking resemblance to the general store cast of characters.

Artist: Tommy Simpson

Commissioned: 2019

Location: On the side of Papa's General Store, 301 N. Main St. Conway, SC

Teal Alley

In the midst of the Covid pandemic, Coastal Carolina University sought opportunities to engage students in creative and meaningful work. A collaboration between the City of Conway, Conway Downtown Alive and Coastal Carolina University sprung from the creativity of Mary Catherine Hyman to "bring a little piece of the CCU campus to Downtown Conway." Eleven student artists, led by Professor Yvette Arendt, painted Teal Alley during the spring semester of 2021. Although many Conway residents never set foot on the CCU campus as college students, this artwork embodies the pride Conway feels as the home of Coastal Carolina University. This installation has created a place for the whole of Teal Nation to come and Feel the Teal. And yes… That is real Teal Turf directly from Brooks Stadium at CCU. Go Chants!

Artists: Coastal Carolina University Student Artists led by Professor Yvetee Arendt

Dedication: May 5th, 2021

Location: In between A Cup Full Cafe and Ann Booth's Jewelers, 1020 3rd Ave. Conway, SC

Smile 

The Smile Mural was designed through a collaboration between Coastal Carolina University student artist, Ava Starnes and the Conway Downtown Alive Design Committee. This billboard-style installation bolsters community pride and reflects the welcoming nature of Conwayites!

Artist: Ava Starnes

Dedicated: October 13, 2022

Location: Beside of US International Beauty Salon, 310 Laurel St. Conway, SC

Pirate Alley

 This mural is as big a mystery in Conway as the elusive pirates that once traveled the Waccamaw River. Believed to have been painted in 2008, a gentleman showed up one day and began to add some life to the dark alley. If you have any information regarding the artist or date of painting, please contact Conway Downtown Alive. 

Location: On the back of Classy Collection Women's Clothing Store, 1101 3rd Ave. Conway, SC

Welcome to Conway

 In 2021, the City of Conway executed a mural that also serves as a gateway sign at the foot of the Main Street bridge. The entirety of the creative process was undertaken by 315 members of City staff. The mural is based on a photograph taken by Fire Chief, Le Hendrick, which was edited into an impressionist style by City Administrator, Adam Emrick, and then converted to a paint by numbers by Deputy City Administrator, Mary Catherine Hyman. The image was projected onto the wall at night so that employees could trace, number, and paint each section.

Artists: City of Conway Employees

Dedicated: November 10, 2021

Location: On the side of Rivertown Reflections Gallery, 223 N. Main St. Conway,SC

F.G. Burroughs Steamboat

 The F.G. Burroughs sidewheeler steamboat was the flagship of the Burroughs and Collins company. The Burroughs family operated a successful steamboat service between Conway and Georgetown in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The F.G. Burroughs steamboat joined the line in 1898 and was the largest of the steamboats constructed in Conway, measuring 125 feet in length and 20 feet across. It could carry 130 passengers and 150 tons of freight. 

Original Mural: Jim Frisino
Date: 1983

Restoration: Tommy Simpson
Summer: 2015

Location: On the side of Berkshire Hathaway Home Service, 913 3rd Ave. Conway, SC

Caribbean life

At the ribbon-cutting of and grand opening of Caribbean Jerk Cuisine's newly renovated location, owner, Kamal Fraser celebrated the mural work of his wife, Dorina Fraser. With a large crowd in attendance, Dorina signed and dedicated her artistic interpretation of island life.

Artist: Dorina Fraser

Dedicated: February 9, 2023

Location: On the side of Caribbean Jerk Cuisine, 1303 4th Ave. Conway, SC

The information about the murals above was collected by Downtown Conway Alive. Paper copies of the Downtown Mural Guide can be found at the Conway Visitors Center.