Bee More Festival Mural
Atmore, Alabama
Alabama mural artist Banks Compton created this stained-glass-inspired mural in downtown Atmore, Alabama, in conjunction with the second annual Bee More Festival, a Main Street Alabama initiative. The project was supported by Alabama Contemporary Art Center in Mobile through the Verdant Fund as part of its AIR (Artist in Residence) program.
Painted across a series of bricked-up windows, the mural transforms former architectural openings into colorful works of public art. Banks designed the imagery to resemble stained glass, using bold outlines, vivid color, flowers, and bees to make the existing architecture part of the finished artwork.
A Stained-Glass-Inspired Mural for Downtown Atmore
Project: Bee More Festival Mural
Location: Downtown Atmore, Alabama
Artist: Banks Compton
Festival: Second Annual Bee More Festival
Downtown Initiative: Main Street Alabama
Funding: The Verdant Fund
Program: AIR (Artist in Residence)
Funding Organization: Alabama Contemporary Art Center, Mobile, Alabama
Artwork: Exterior mural
Surface: Bricked-up window openings
Style: Stained-glass inspired
Completed: 2026
Project at a Glance
A Mural Painted With the Community
Community participation was an important part of creating the Bee More Festival mural.
During the project, local children and community members were invited to participate directly in the painting process. Kids helped paint portions of the lower half of the mural, giving them an opportunity to contribute to a permanent piece of public art in downtown Atmore.
Banks structured the collaborative painting so participants could have a genuine hand in creating the artwork while the overall design remained cohesive. Their contributions became part of the finished mural rather than being painted over or treated only as a temporary activity.
The project also extended beyond the wall through custom coloring sheets based on the mural imagery. Children could complete their own versions independently, allowing them to engage with the artwork creatively even when they were not actively painting the mural.
Together, the community painting and coloring activities made the creative process itself part of the Bee More Festival experience.
Instead of simply unveiling a finished mural for the community, the project gave members of the community an opportunity to help create it.space.
Supported Through the Verdant Fund
The Bee More Festival mural was supported by Alabama Contemporary Art Center in Mobile through the Verdant Fund as part of its AIR (Artist in Residence) program.
The funding helped bring a new piece of public art to downtown Atmore while connecting the project with broader efforts to support artists and community-focused creative work throughout the region.
For Banks, the project provided an opportunity to create artwork specifically for Atmore—responding to the architecture of an existing downtown building while contributing to a community event designed to bring people together and activate the downtown area.
The resulting mural reflects the collaborative nature of public art, bringing together artist funding, a statewide Main Street initiative, a local festival, existing architecture, and site-specific design to create a permanent addition to downtown Atmore.
Public Art and Downtown Revitalization
Murals can play an important role in making downtown areas more colorful, walkable, and memorable.
In smaller Alabama communities, public artwork can transform overlooked architectural features into destinations, create new opportunities for photographs and community events, and encourage visitors to spend more time exploring downtown.
Created alongside the Bee More Festival and Main Street Alabama initiative, the Atmore mural demonstrates how public art can become part of a larger effort to celebrate and activate a historic downtown.
About Banks Compton
Banks Compton is an Alabama-born mural artist and RISD alumnus creating large-scale murals and public art throughout Alabama and across the United States.
His work combines storytelling, nature, local culture, history, and site-specific design to create artwork rooted in the places where it is painted.
From major cities to rural communities and historic downtowns, Banks approaches each project by considering not only what should be painted, but how the artwork can respond to the architecture, environment, and identity of its location.
Looking for a Mural Artist in Atmore or Alabama?
Banks works with Main Street organizations, cities, downtown districts, tourism groups, businesses, institutions, and community organizations throughout Alabama and the Southeast.
Each mural is developed specifically for its location, allowing existing architecture, local history, community identity, and natural surroundings to become part of the finished artwork.
Project Partners & Support
Alabama Contemporary Art Center
Pride of Atmore — AIR Artist in Residence Program
Funded through the Verdant Fund
https://www.alabamacontemporary.org/opportunities/alabamaair/
Main Street Atmore
Bee More Festival
https://www.mainstreetatmore.org/
Main Street Alabama
Supporting downtown revitalization and community development throughout Alabama
https://www.mainstreetalabama.org/