At the corner of Farm Burger in Virginia Highland, a project three years in the making finally came to life in September 2024. Lightbox painting, a common feature in neighborhoods across the country, transforms ordinary utility boxes into public art, encouraging pedestrians to become more visually engaged with their surroundings. In line with their mission of beautifying public spaces, the Virginia Highland District Association (VHDA) commissioned local artist Brittany Hester to create a lightbox mural right in the heart of Virginia Highland.
Brittany Hester has been drawn to painting and crafting for as long as she can remember. "I landed my first mural commission in high school—over a decade ago—which opened the door to many more opportunities over the years," Hester explains. Since then, she's balanced a career in set design and creative production while continuing to paint and bring color to her community by working with VHDA.
For this project, Hester chose to take a departure from her typical style. Known for placing realistic elements in absurd contexts–like pigs floating in glazed donuts–she approached this vision differently.
The mural features a blend of natural and quirky elements, reflective of VaHi’s character. Birds and trees mirror the natural surroundings, while an octopus holding a guitar and a glass of wine adds a playful nod to local highlights like Porchfest and Murphy’s. "I wanted it to be eye-catching enough to stand out, but also grounded enough to blend into the community’s everyday life," says Hester. The design strikes a balance between the whimsical and the familiar, with hidden surprises like a dog whose tail lines up perfectly with the handle of the box—an unplanned but fun detail!
Hester’s journey with VHDA began at its inception when she was hired to bring her creative expertise to create the brand. This early involvement led to other exciting opportunities, including designing the inaugural VaHi Porchfest logo.
For Hester, working with VHDA has been incredibly rewarding. "When you invest in this community and VHDA—whether through time, energy, or support—it gives back tenfold," she says. ”Supporting a community that cares so much about its beauty, its people, and its local businesses has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve been a part of.”
Looking ahead, Hester is excited about the possibility of future public art projects in the area. "One of my aspirations is to scale up my mural work and create something larger in scope. I’d also love to see more of the light boxes get painted," she says, envisioning a community-wide effort that brings more local artists into the mix. As for her next project, Winterfest remains one of her favorite events to create for, and she looks forward to continuing her work with VHDA to bring more art to Virginia Highland.
