New murals unveiled at Coca-Cola Amphitheater by Birmingham artists

If you’ve walked through the gates of Birmingham’s Coca-Cola Amphitheater recently, you’ve likely noticed one of the vibrant murals popping up around the new outdoor music venue. Bright red and bursting with references to the Magic City’s storied past, the new mural series was created by local artists Michael Vizzina and Andrew Tynes.

We caught up with the artists to see the new murals + get the inside scoop on the vision behind them.

Music and murals meet at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater

Since its inaugural show on June 22nd, the new Coca-Cola Amphitheater has become a popular local attraction and a hotspot for live music, featuring nationally recognized acts like Alabama Shakes, Def Leppard, Rod Stewart and the Dave Matthews Band—with many more to come.

Recently, the event venue has become a canvas for large-scale public art, thanks to local graphic designer Michael Vizzina and muralist Andrew Tynes of Mammoth Murals.

Michael and Andrew first met in 2022, when the two artists collaborated on a vibrant red and blue mural on the side of the new Axel Row apartments in Avondale. The massive, five-story-tall art piece caught the eye of Live Nation, the multinational entertainment company that owns the Coca-Cola Amphitheater.

“When Live Nation contacted me, they told me they liked the style of our Axel Row mural and wanted a mural series that celebrates Birmingham—but the rest was up to us!”

Andrew Tynes, Owner, Mammoth Murals

To bring the new murals to life, Michael and Andrew approached the project by dividing the labor in two parts.

“We started by drawing everything at scale; then—using big patterns, stencils and a lot of measuring—we create the artwork at size. It’s a big time commitment, but that process is what gives our work its distinctive look.”

Andrew Tynes, Owner, Mammoth Murals

A graphic designer by trade, Michael designed each of the murals digitally; once approved by the client, the murals were each hand-painted by Andrew.

“The goal of this project—like any art form—is to evoke emotion. Murals present an opportunity where the public can be engaged on a more powerful level, especially if they have a sentimental bond with one of the subjects references in the mural. We want to channel nostalgia—not remembering the past, but feeling it—and murals are an excellent medium for that.”

Michael Vizzina, Owner, Michael Vizzina Design

Six months and 1500+ man-hours later, the new murals at the Coca-Cola Amphitheater are officially completed

The mural series consists of 15 separate murals throughout the amphitheater, utilizing a mix of vibrant reds and deep blacks to add a pop of color to the venue’s restrooms, courtyards, dining areas, gym rooms and meet & greet spaces.

“It’s been really nice to work on such a massive art piece that will be seen by so many. I think it’ll be easy for people to appreciate the effort, energy and sweat—oh my god, so much sweat—that went into completing this project.”

Andrew Tynes, Owner, Mammoth Murals

Men’s Bathroom Murals

The murals inside each of the men’s restrooms shine a spotlight on Birmingham’s industrial past. Samplemen stand ready as a train rolls past Sloss Furnaces and the iconic Birmingham the Magic City sign, while Vulcan stands tall next to the year 1904, when he was first unveiled at the St. Louis World’s Fair. An abstract 78 rpm record honors Erskine Hawkins’ Tuxedo Junction, a tune that put Birmingham’s jazz scene on the map.

Women’s Bathroom Murals

Inside the women’s restrooms, the murals pay homage to Sloss Furance’s wartime efforts. As WWII raged on, Birmingham was a key player in aircraft production and outfitting thanks to the work of women who took on factory jobs during the war, represented on the mural by Rosie the Riveter.

Fun fact: Birmingham is home to the American Rosie the Riveter Association, a national group dedicated to honoring the working women of WWII.

Dining Area Wall

Located in the dining courtyard for the artists and crew, this mural is a nod to the work and grit that goes on behind the scenes to make each show possible. An early 1900s shipping truck dominates the landscape, while the rolling slopes of Red Mountain and the skyline of the Magic City pass by in the distance. Above, the phrase “Nice to have you rollin’ through” references our city’s famous slogan, “It’s Nice to Have You in Birmingham.”

Meet & Greet Area Wall

The largest and most abstract mural in the collection is located inside the venue’s Meet & Greet Area. Standing 20 feet tall and 65 feet wide, the mural is dominated by two Birmingham icons—Vulcan and the original “Magic City” sign—and jam-packed with references to the city’s industrial, cultural and musical past, including:

• The trestle, stacks and water tower of Sloss Furnaces
• Birmingham’s four major skyscrapers
• Three shooting stars styled after the iconic Carraway Star

Throughout the mural are the names of significant artists inducted into the Alabama Hall of Fame, from the talented Swampers of Muscle Shoals to Birmingham icons Sun Ra, Erskine Hawkins, Eddie Kendricks and many more.

Note: The mural series also includes murals in the Coca-Cola Amphitheater’s artist courtyard and gym room; however, these murals were not complete on the tour date.

Which of these new murals is your favorite? Keep an eye out for them on your next visit to the Coca-Cola Amphitheater and tag us @bhamnow with your photos!