"Greetings from Richmond" mural returns with Bill Martin tribute
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Ross Trimmer and Mickael Broth on Wednesday, shortly before finishing the mural. Photo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios
The "Greetings from Richmond, Virginia" mural is officially back, making its long-awaited return after suddenly disappearing last year.
Why it matters: It's dedicated to the late Bill Martin — the beloved, longtime Valentine museum director — and up on the same Broad Street wall where it debuted a decade ago.
- The mural is also from artists Mickael Broth and Ross Trimmer, who created the previous two versions.
Behind the scenes: The latest iteration was commissioned by building owner Ted Ukrop, who approached Broth at a May event about creating a tribute to Martin, Broth tells Axios.
- Early concepts centered on portraits of the museum director, but everyone involved agreed Martin "would have hated this," Broth says.
- Instead, the artists decided reviving one of Richmond's best-known murals better reflected Martin's lifelong mission of getting people downtown, "to appreciate Broad Street, to see the city thrive," Broth adds.
- "He wanted to grow the city," Trimmer tells Axios of Martin. "But also grow the people making the city what it was."
Zoom in: Each letter on the mural, set to be finished Wednesday, represents Broad Street landmarks over time, from the street car era to the Science Museum.
- St. John's Church is within the "D" because Martin lived nearby, while newer landmarks like the VPM building reflect the corridor's ongoing evolution.
- Hidden tributes include the distinctive parquet floor pattern of the museum's Wickham House.
Flashback: The original featured popular city landscapes and became a go-to photo op spot.
- Then Broth and Trimmer transformed it in 2020 with imagery from the city's protests, including depictions of Richmond police pepper-spraying protesters.
The intrigue: It's still unclear why the protest-era mural was removed without explanation. But Broth says the project represents Martin's belief that people can move past their differences to build a better Richmond.
- "All that matters is moving forward," he adds.
If you go: The mural is back where Richmonders know to find it: 311 W. Broad St.
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