New Murals on Wilmington Street by Local Artist Lidia Churakova

The Lines that Connect Us | Raleigh Topographic Mural

Local artist Lidia Churakova's mural "The Lines that Connect Us" was completed in November 2024 in Downtown Raleigh as part of an initiative to install public art in pedestrian safety projects. The new mural can be viewed at the Wilmington Street crosswalk to the GoRaleigh Station, near One Exchange Plaza (OEP).

Due to many past incidents and near-misses, improving safety at this crossing has been a priority. Raleigh's Transportation Department recently installed two concrete islands to support Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), enhancing pedestrian safety. The mural is painted on these concrete islands and a small section of pavement where parking is not allowed.

Lidia Churakova's art blends realism and abstraction, expressing her unique world view. Her colorful murals bring positive energy to public spaces. She likes to work with patterns and strong shapes, creating impactful designs that read well from a distance.

The design for "The Lines that Connect Us" is based on the topographic lines of downtown Raleigh. Downtown is a very diverse place where so many people from vastly different backgrounds come together, walk the same streets, eat at the same cafes, and share experiences. "The lines that connect us" depict contours that are different yet influenced by each other. The artist hopes the mural will inspire the viewers to ponder the subtle connections we all share.

Location: Wilmington Street at the One Exchange Plaza (OEP) crosswalk to GoRaleigh Station

About the Artist

Lidia Churakova is a Raleigh-based artist known for her bright and cheerful abstract murals. Her love for color comes from her grandfather, an internationally collected impressionist landscape painter. Lidia combines her skill with acrylic paint and her passion for beautiful color combinations to create uplifting artwork.

She earned a bachelor's degree in art and design from NCSU in 2012. Since then, she has created murals for the cities of Raleigh and Durham, encouraging viewers to engage with their surroundings in playful and energetic ways. Lidia enjoys gardening and foraging for mushrooms when she's not making art. She lives in Archer's Lodge with her partner, Luis, and their senior cat, Bojo.

@lidia.churakova | lidiachurakova.art