Jean Gordon
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 12:39 pm
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An Ohio woman with her sisters painted 10 tiles for the American Horizon mural that was unveiled nine days ago in Rutherfordton. The massive Mural Mosaic's Global Roots Project, "American Horizon," is hundreds of small tiles painted by artists across the country. There are 200 tiles painted by people across Rutherford County and placed in the mural. Each has a story.
The Ohio sisters came to Rutherfordton last week to witness the unveiling of the new mural in Rutherfordton. The tiles they painted are in memory of a sister who was battling cancer. The sister has since passed away, but the others came to Rutherfordton, carrying flowers, for the unveiling of the mural that touched their hearts.
Another person attending the unveiling painted a tile in memory of her father. The tile has the date, April 22, 2024, the day her dad passed away, one year to the day of the Mural Mosaic unveiling - April 22, 2025.
"There are so many stories," said Lenice Lane, Interim Main Street Manager/Executive Director of Rutherford Town Rising. "There are stories behind the tiles and people are telling their stories," Lane said. She has created a space on the website for people to share the stories of their individual tiles.
"Honestly I am so overwhelmed and humbled, right now, I'm about to cry," Lane said. "I just didn't expect to be this emotional when it was revealed."
The mural, on the side of the C&H Wholesale building off North Washington Street, Rutherfordton, is the only such mural in North Carolina. The unveiling ceremony brought people from California, Texas, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Ireland for the ceremony.
Although there was rain, people stood patiently in the weather wearing raincoats while others held colorful umbrellas as the mural was unveiled.
Lane and Town Manager Doug Barrick pulled the tarp from the mural to the applause of the crowd.
Artist Lewis Lavoie of Canada greeted everyone and said the mural represents connectivity across the nation. He is the illustrator and inventor of the murals, using hundreds of tilesto create an image.
"We are all connected through roots," he said. "All across the country, tree roots are connected...we are connected like that."
Lane said the mural really spoke to townspeople especially as Rutherford County recovers from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene on September 27, 2024. Lane said the mural represents the strength of the Appalachian roots and the importance of looking forward.
She said the mural could easily be a view from Chimney Rock Park overlooking Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Mountains that provide the backdrop to the Rutherford County community. The mural, said Lane, offers 'hope of what's to come.'
Barrick said prior to the unveiling, "This mural stands as a symbol of hope and resilience, a testament to the strength and unity of our community in the face of rebuilding after Helene."
"Such a special project that we are humbled and blessed to be a part," Lane said. "We are very appreciative of this opportunity and feel this mural will give us hope of what's to come" she said.
Lane said so many amazing stories have been told from artists from Rutherford County who painted the tiles and she hopes to hear all the stories.
"If you painted a tile in this mural, visit https://www.explorerutherfordton.com/mural-mosaic and share your "Story behind the Tile" with us by submitting the form," Lane said.
The Town of Rutherfordton joins these towns who have unveiled America Connects murals in their towns this year:
• America Connects Family Time National Mural unveiling in Yelm, Washington on February 18
• America Connects Heart & Home National Mural unveiling in Santa Ana, California on February 19
• America Connects Fun & Family National Mural unveiling in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 21
America Together National Mural unveiling in Binghamton, New York on February 22
• Canada Connects Joy & Family National Mural unveiling in London, Ontario on February 24
• Canada Connects Home & Family National Mural unveiling in Chatham, Ontario on February 25