CARRBORO, N.C. — A new mural in Carrboro reflects its own community.

What You Need To Know

  • Artist Jermaine Powell, better known as JP, was commissioned for the mural by The ArtsCenter in Carrboro

  • Powell worked on the mural outside Gray Squirrel Coffee from October through November

  • The mural features real people living in Carrboro from college students to people who lived there their entire life

Artist Jermaine Powell, better known as JP, spent two months bringing his creation to life.


Powell says the We Are Community mural represents real people living in the town. It features dozens of faces, from college students to people who were born and raised in Carrboro.

JP, along with The ArtsCenter, had a photoshoot at Gray Squirrel Coffee Company and Weaver Street Market to capture people who represent what Carrboro is all about.

Susan Romaine is one of the faces on the mural. She is on the Carrboro town council.

“I think JP is doing just doing a fabulous job capturing the diversity of our community,” Powell says.

Powell says in a year like 2020, many people felt isolated. But, it's individual communities that really made him feel connected.

“As an artist, I'm often alone, but I couldn't do it without the people that encourage me,” Powell says. "People working together build great things. I'm one artist, but it took a whole community for me to come up with this concept.”

If you want to see the mural you can find it outside Gray Squirrel Coffee Company on East Main Street. You can find more of JP's work on buildings and bus stops throughout the Triangle.

He also has work on display at Lump Gallery in Raleigh through January.