New mural on 280. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now) — (left to right) Shawn Fitzwater, Mountain Brook Mayor Graham Smith, Rebecca McKinney Morris and Seth Monroe. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Last month, I met with local muralist Shawn Fitzwater and Rebecca McKinney Morris of non-profit Embrace Alabama Kids to learn more about a new mural on a prominent wall on U.S. 280.

Today, I was invited back out to the site to view the completed mural and meet the team that made it happen.

There is a new mural along U.S. 280 in Mountain Brook 👇

If you’re a regular U.S. 280 commuter, you’ve likely noticed the new mural taking shape on the retaining wall across from the Shades Mountain Water Plant over the past month. For weeks, local muralist Shawn Fitzwater of Fitz Signs & Murals has been hard at work creating a vibrant, three-panel piece depicting three iconic vistas in Mountain Brook:

Mountain Brook Village
The Old Mill House on Mountain Brook Parkway
The bridge on Jemison Trail

Standing ten-feet tall and spanning the entire 80-foot-wide wall, the mural is the brainchild of Rebecca McKinney Morris of Embrace Alabama Kids, a faith-based non-profit that provides homes, healing and hope for families and vulnerable children who cannot live with their biological families.

“Every day more than 100,000 cars pass this wall on Highway 280, and we hope this mural sparks curiosity for everyone who sees it. Our goal is simple — to invite the people of Alabama to join us in turning traffic into transformation for vulnerable children. For more than 135 years, Embrace Alabama Kids has provided homes, healing, and hope for children and families across our state, and today we serve more than 1,100 individuals through our group homes and community ministries.”
Rebecca McKinney Morris, Sr. VP of External Affairs, Embrace Alabama Kids

After noticing the faded art on the retaining wall (last painted in 1990) during her commute, McKinney Morris connected with Senator Dan Roberts and Mayor Graham Smith of the City of Mountain Brook—both of whom were thrilled about the idea of repainting the wall.

“We are deeply grateful to Embrace Alabama Kids for this stunning new mural that so beautifully captures Mountain Brook’s iconic landmarks — from the Old Mill and Jemison Trail to Gilchrist Corner. Their generous spirit has done more than brighten a once-neglected corridor; it has reminded us that when public and private partners come together with a shared sense of purpose, truly transformative projects are possible! This mural reflects not only the character of our community, but the heart behind the mission of Embrace Alabama Kids to serve children and families across our state.”
Mayor Graham Smith, City of Mountain Brook

After securing funding from an anonymous donor and permission from ALDOT, McKinney Morris contacted Shawn Fitzwater of Fitz Signs & Murals to bring the mural to life. Since I first met him in 2019, Fitzwater has painted countless murals in Birmingham and beyond—from a poly-portrait of a red panda at the Birmingham Zoo and the exterior facade of the new Seasick Records to a series of 11 massive murals at SeaWorld San Diego.

“I’ve driven past this wall for years and have always thought it would be great to be able to paint a mural there. I was pretty excited when Rebecca reached out and made it all a reality. Designing and painting this mural has been a lot of fun!”
Shawn Fitzwater, Fitz Signs & Murals

To help get the wall ready for a new art piece, Fitzwater hired Seth Monroe of Patriot Painting to prep the wall. As fate would have it, Seth’s partner was one of the Vestavia Hills High School students who last painted the wall—36 years ago!

“I feel incredibly blessed to have been part of this project. My job was preparing the wall — washing it, priming it and getting the base coats down so Shawn Fitzwater could come in and create the mural. Seeing it come together has been amazing. I’m really grateful to Rebecca McKinney Morris for reaching out and for all the effort she put into making this happen for the City of Mountain Brook.

What makes it even more special for me is that my partner, Tiffany Kemp, helped paint the original wall back in 1990 through the TALS program at Vestavia Hills High School. Being part of bringing new life to something she helped create decades ago is something I’ll never forget.”
Seth Monroe, Patriot Painting

Keep an 👀 out for the new mural on your next drive down U.S. 280

“This project truly represents what can happen when a community comes together for something bigger than itself. Starting with the anonymous donor, then Representative Dan Roberts, the City of Mountain Brook and Mayor Graham Smith, to the Alabama Department of Transportation, to Seth Monroe with Patriotic Painting preparing the wall and artist Shawn Fitzwater with Fitz Signs and Murals bringing the vision to life — so many people helped make this possible.

The mural now serves as a daily reminder that when we work together, we can continue turning traffic into transformation and raising awareness for vulnerable children across Alabama.”
Rebecca McKinney Morris, Sr. VP of External Affairs, Embrace Alabama Kids

Follow Bham Now on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn and sign up for our FREE newsletter to have exciting news about The Magic City delivered straight to your inbox!