CHARLESTON — Market Street just got a new and vibrant addition to its walls.
Charleston Crab House and Coca-Cola Consolidated unveiled a new mural at 41 S. Market Street on Oct. 16 as part of Coca-Cola’s “Paint the Nation” campaign in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. It’s the only one in South Carolina.
The wall art includes Charleston landmarks like the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, historic homes along Rainbow Row, blue herons and gas lanterns. Coca-Cola branding was also incorporated into the artwork, but doesn’t dominate the mural.
Coca-Cola’s national mural initiative includes artwork for every state meant to celebrate the past and empower future generations. Coca-Cola Consolidated — the local bottling company — petitioned for South Carolina’s mural to be in Charleston, said Mark D’Andrea, a local sales representative.
He told The Post and Courier the company thought Charleston Crab House would be the perfect spot for a mural, and considers the location to be the heart of historic Charleston. The mural “fits right in with the city,” he said.
“It looks like it’s been here since the beginning of downtown,” he said.
Scott Larymore, owner of Charleston Crab House, told The Post and Courier that after the beverage company approached him about using the wall as a blank canvas, his immediate answer was a yes.
“Who says no to a mural?” he said.
The mural and America 250 celebration coincides with the Market Street restaurant’s 25th anniversary, which is next year. Larymore said he hopes patrons enjoy the scene when they walk into the crab house.
Girls Who Paint Murals designed and painted the site. Co-owners Alli Amory and Christine Crawford told The Post and Courier the design process took months starting in April, but they completed painting the mural in just two and a half days with the help of two other muralists.
Both said they’re happy with how the art turned out and have enjoyed seeing tourists on carriage tours point it out and take pictures of it.
“It's kind of like a new landmark,” Crawford said.