Large-scale works ignite the district’s open spaces with vibrant color, inviting the community to join the hunt for hidden art on World Art Drop Day.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC [August 12, 2025] – Hub RTP, the vibrant new downtown district of Research Triangle Park (RTP), now showcases a dynamic collection of large-scale murals that spark inspiration and connect the community. Led by the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, stewards of RTP, the Hub RTP Outdoor Murals Project transforms publicly accessible spaces into immersive art experiences that reflect the Park’s values of innovation, collaboration and creativity. Visitors are invited to explore the murals, discover hidden art and share their finds as part of a global World Art Drop Day celebration on September 2.
Launched in 2024, the project invited artists to bring color and imagination to Hub RTP’s up-and-coming east campus, including Horseshoe RTP, a walkable, mixed-use development in the heart of the district. As Hub RTP evolves to meet the needs of future workers and residents, these murals contribute to a thoughtful vision for the neighborhood: turning everyday spaces into beautiful, meaningful destinations.
The mural series includes six original works, curated and installed in three phases. Five murals have already been completed and include:
- Britt Flood, Desire Path
- Mayanthi Jayawardena, plant.ed
- Taylor White, The Great Blue Heron
- Valentin Ramirez, Aura of the Wild
- Liz Haywood, BLOOM ON
“As a North Carolina muralist whose work is rooted in celebrating nature, color and community, it’s an honor to be part of the Hub RTP Outdoor Murals Project,” said Liz Haywood, an artist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. “BLOOM ON envisions a future where technology and nature work hand in hand, showcasing the beauty that emerges when humans, pollinators and technology come together to foster growth. It’s inspiring to see our state’s creative energy united in one vibrant, visionary place, and I hope these murals spark joy and bold ideas in our community for years to come.”
All murals are free and publicly accessible, offering a new way for residents, employees and visitors to experience art as part of daily life in Hub RTP. To celebrate World Art Drop Day on September 2, the community can take part in Art Uncovered: A Hub RTP Scavenger Hunt by exploring the murals, discovering hidden art, and sharing their finds online. Details and registration information are available at https://hub.rtp.org/event/art-uncovered.
“With a vision to build a lively, connected community for current residents and future generations, this unique mural project celebrates the fearless creativity that defines our region,” said Amanda Ronan, senior director of placemaking, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina. “Beyond adding beauty to the Park, these murals transform everyday spaces into experiences that inspire, invite reflection and deepen our sense of place.”
To complete the third and final phase of this curated series, Raleigh-based artist Zac Bender was selected through a competitive process. His digitally designed mural — set to be unveiled at a community celebration this summer — will be displayed as vinyl wraps on select utility transformers throughout Hub RTP.
To learn more about current and future art installations, visit https://hub.rtp.org/art/.
About Hub RTP
Hub RTP, Research Triangle Park (RTP)’s new vibrant downtown, is a walkable urban district designed to bring people together to work, stay, shop, drink and dine in RTP for the first time in its history. Hub RTP’s current development phase will feature up to one million square feet of office and life sciences lab space, 50,000 square feet of experiential retail, 1,200 multifamily residential units and 279 hotel rooms. An impressive 16 acres of parks and greenspace includes the award-winning and eco-friendly Burdens Creek, which connects more than 20 miles of trails in RTP. Centrally located in the heart of the Triangle region (comprised of Durham and Raleigh), the 100-acre district includes Frontier RTP, an innovative startup community, as well as Boxyard RTP, a unique food, retail and entertainment destination. To learn more about Hub RTP and current leasing opportunities, visit https://hub.rtp.org.
Media Contact for RTF
Kelly Propst
VP of Marketing & Communications
propst@rtp.org