Legacy Arena at the BJCC MuraL Birmingham, Alabama
Alabama mural artist Banks Compton created this commemorative mural for Legacy Arena at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) in Birmingham, Alabama. Created in celebration of the arena's 50th anniversary, the mural honors five decades of legendary performances, sporting events, and memories that have made Legacy Arena an important part of Birmingham's cultural history.
Celebrating 50 Years of Music and Entertainment in Alabama
Client: Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC)
Location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
Artist: Banks Compton
Project: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Mural
Completed: 2026
Artwork: Interior mural
Project at a Glance
Designing the Legacy Arena Mural
The mural brings together imagery representing different eras of Legacy Arena's history.
Portraits of iconic musicians who performed at the arena—including Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and Lionel Richie—were created using photographs taken during their actual performances at the BJCC. This allowed the artwork to reference real moments that happened within the venue rather than simply depicting the performers in a general way.
The mural also recognizes Legacy Arena's long history beyond music. A vintage Birmingham Bulls ticket stub provides a nod to the sporting events and other experiences that have brought generations of Alabamians through the arena's doors.
Together, these elements create a visual timeline celebrating the memories, performers, and events associated with the venue.
Celebrating 50 Years of Legacy Arena
Legacy Arena opened in 1976 and has welcomed generations of visitors for concerts, sporting events, family shows, and community celebrations.
For the arena's 50th anniversary in 2026, the BJCC commissioned a commemorative mural celebrating the people and events that have shaped the venue's history.
For Banks, an Alabama-born artist who grew up attending concerts at the BJCC, the opportunity was especially meaningful. The project offered a chance to create a permanent piece of artwork celebrating not only the arena, but a part of Alabama's entertainment history.
Painting Alabama's Music History
Creating portraits of internationally recognized performers presented an opportunity to connect large-scale portraiture with storytelling.
Rather than treating each musician as an isolated portrait, the composition was designed as one continuous celebration of Legacy Arena. Color, movement, typography, memorabilia, and portraits work together to evoke the energy of live entertainment and the different eras represented throughout the arena's first 50 years.
The finished mural serves as both a piece of public art and a permanent visual record of the venue's history.
Unveiling the Mural
The completed mural was unveiled during Legacy Arena's 50th Anniversary Celebration in July 2026.
The free community event invited visitors into the arena for live entertainment, family activities, backstage tours, anniversary exhibits, and the unveiling of new artwork celebrating the venue's history.
The celebration concluded with a performance by The Black Jacket Symphony honoring music made famous by artists who had performed at Legacy Arena throughout its first five decades.
The mural remains inside Legacy Arena as part of the venue's continuing story.
Creating Public Art in Birmingham
The Legacy Arena mural represents the kind of public art Banks strives to create throughout Alabama: artwork that is specific to its location and gives people another way to connect with the history and identity of a place.
For a venue filled with decades of shared memories, the goal was not simply to decorate a wall. It was to preserve pieces of that history through artwork and create something that could become part of the arena's next chapter.
As an Alabama artist, contributing a permanent mural to one of Birmingham's most recognizable entertainment venues made the project particularly meaningful.
About Banks Compton
Banks Compton is an Alabama mural artist and RISD alumnus creating large-scale murals and public art throughout Alabama and across the United States. His work combines storytelling, local culture, nature, history, and site-specific imagery to create artwork that reflects the communities and environments in which it is located.
His murals can be found throughout Alabama in public spaces, libraries, businesses, entertainment venues, educational facilities, and community landmarks.
Looking for a Mural Artist in Birmingham or Alabama?
Banks works with cities, businesses, institutions, developers, and community organizations to create custom murals and public artwork throughout Birmingham, Alabama, and the Southeast.
Each project begins with research, conversation, and collaboration to develop artwork that reflects the client's vision while creating a memorable connection to the surrounding community.
IN THE PRESS
WBRC FOX6 — BJCC Unveils Mural, Hosts Free Concert to Mark Legacy Arena's 50th Anniversary
The Birmingham Times — BJCC Celebrates 50 Years, Reflecting on Legacy Arena's History
WVTM 13 — Birmingham's Legacy Arena Marks 50 Years with Mural
BJCC — Official Legacy Arena 50th Anniversary Celebration page