MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. -- Boyce Mckinney needed a lot of paint, and the help of a forklift to restore a bit of Mount Holly history. 

The Stanley native was tasked with bringing life back to a historic Coca-Cola mural in town. 

“It being Coca-Cola, the branding is very important,” said McKinney. “This particular mural was designed back in the 40’s, so I’m just replicating what was already here." 

With over 20 years of experience, mural work comes second nature to McKinney. But before he was doing murals, McKinney was in the entertainment industry working on rides for Universal Studios. 

“Everything from the lighting to the scenics to the special effects…it was our responsibility in making sure that we got everything that had been contracted,” he said. 

His work as an art director also had McKinney designing rides for theme parks in Hong Kong and Italy. 

“That’s fun,” he said. “I enjoyed doing that but it seems like I always come back. I always come back to the murals.” 

He eventually came back home to the Charlotte area where he began focusing more on mural work. City officials commissioned McKinney to restore this Coca-Cola piece after people in town saw his work. 

“Last summer, I was doing a mural across the street and someone was talking to me about it and I told them hey do the research and I’ll be more than glad to bring it back to life,” he said. “So, this summer, we’re bringing it back to life.” 

After being covered for years, McKinney is using his skills to bring back a bit of Mount Holly history. If you want to check out this newly restored mural, you can find it in downtown Mount Holly off North Main Street behind the Nails By Helly building. 

Mckinney plans to head to South Carolina next to work on another mural this summer. You can check out more of his work here.