Have you ever wondered about the mural at 2201 Middle Street, right in the heart of Sullivan's Island? 

I have. I've walked by that mural for as long as I can remember. It's located on the side of the Ilderton Contracting office and Sandpiper Gallery. I've always thought it looked like my grandfather with a Disney princess braid! I was recently lucky enough to interview the man behind the mural. The muralist's name is David Boatwright. David is a graduate of AFI film school in Los Angeles. He received a National Endowment for the Arts Individual Artist Award in 1977! David realized he wanted to support himself and his community by being a muralist. He has been commissioned to paint murals all over town-on the interiors of restaurants, the sides of buildings, you name it! He also sells his art to collectors. David lives in downtown Charleston, and if you want to know more about him-which I strongly recommend-go to luckyboyart.com.

Now, back to the mural itself! David was hired to paint this mural by Ilderton Contracting roughly ten years ago. David knew the owner, Pat Ilderton, which made it a friendly commission. Pat asked the renowned muralist to paint a mural that represents Hurricane Hugo, which occurred in 1989. That storm rocked Sullivan's Island so badly that the bridge was completely tilted to one side and everywhere was damaged! After the hurricane, it was a huge time for construction and rebuilding. Pat asked David for a mural to represent this.

David painted a mural showing a master carpenter carefully working. In the background, men are reconstructing a house on Sullivan's. The mural represents the rebuilding of Sullivan's Island after the hurricane. David actually painted the mural in his studio and then installed it on the building. David says he loves painting murals because it shows he has a part in the community. Thank you David Boatwright for this artwork on our Island!

Stay tuned for Part 2—which Island mural will we look at next?