Public Art

Morrisville Icon Project

Morrisville's Butterfly Art Takes Flight!

The Town of Morrisville is thrilled to announce the completion of our second public art initiative, a vibrant celebration of creativity and community spirit! Last summer, residents helped select an icon that truly captures the heart of Morrisville: the butterfly. Symbolizing beauty, transformation, vibrancy, growth, and community, the butterfly is now our Town’s artistic ambassador.

Once the butterfly was chosen, we invited talented artists to unleash their imaginations and submit colorful designs for a series of dazzling 4-foot butterfly sculptures. These masterpieces will soon be installed throughout Morrisville, brightening parks, greenways, and Town-owned spaces with joyful, creative landmarks for everyone to enjoy.

Five incredible artists have transformed these statues into works of art bursting with color and personality. Get ready to spot these butterflies fluttering across town, bringing smiles, inspiration, and a splash of creativity wherever they land.

The Town of Morrisville was awarded an Arts for Towns grant by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County to support this project.

Meet our Artists:

Molly Chopin: “Follow Your Dreams, Follow Your HeART”

"Molly Chopin is a painter whose work explores the intersection of science and spirituality, and the healing and evolutionary pathways that arise from this meeting point. Her artistic journey began 13 years ago, when painting became a way to access spirit and reclaim her voice after surviving domestic abuse. From that turning point emerged a guiding truth in her practice: art heals.

Through hand painted vibrant colors, layered symbolism, and intuitive forms, Molly creates paintings that spark moments of recognition inviting viewers into deeper connection with their own spirit, with one another, and with the living intelligence of the Earth.

Her work has been exhibited in galleries and at festivals all over the United States and internationally, and she primarily creates from her home studio in Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition to offering original and commissioned paintings, she sells printed reproductions of her work, paints murals, does live performance painting, offers creative consultations and workshops, and is a conductor of the Vision Train, a globally connected art community that emerged in 2020."

Hasini Pasagadugula: “Blooming Through the Triangle”

“My name is Hasini Pasagadugula, and I am a psychology student at UNC-Chapel Hill. I have been creating art for as long as I can remember, and it has always been one of my greatest passions. I primarily work with acrylic paint and colored pencils. Throughout my artistic journey, I have designed and led three large-scale murals, two at Green Level High School and one in a private residence. I also designed and painted Blooming Through the Triangle, a butterfly sculpture celebrating North Carolina's natural beauty and the connection between Morrisville and its surrounding communities. I enjoy creating artwork that brings people together and transforms spaces, and I look forward to continuing to grow as an artist and explore new creative opportunities.”

Sampada Agarwal: “Where Tradition Takes Flight”

“SAMPADA is a passionate visual artist with over two decades of experience exploring traditional folk and tribal art, deeply inspired by India’s rich and diverse culture. Her work has been featured in local and international exhibitions, public art projects, murals, community initiatives, and philanthropic causes.

Recent projects include a solo exhibition, Anthropomorphic Stories, inspired by Gond art at Chapel Hill Public Library (May–June 2026); a solo display at Eva Perry Regional Library (August 2026); Truck Art from India: A Moving Canvas of Culture, Jury Runner-up at Uproar 2025; Lines That Connect, a solo exhibition at Sertoma Arts Center (2025); Roots & Wings, a Gond mural for the Town of Morrisville (2024); and a three-part Warli mural on the Lower Booker Trail in Chapel Hill (2023). Her other public works include murals, Mithila art kiosks, bus shelter and window displays, and The Art of the Warli, a mural created in 2020, celebrating Durham’s history.

A Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) since 2012, SAMPADA explores the intersection of pattern, mindfulness, and creativity, collaborating with students and artists worldwide.

She is also a Teaching Artist for United Arts Council “Artists in Schools” program, serving Wake County schools for 2024–25, 2025–26, and 2026–27. She has led youth mural programs at Eno Arts Mill, supporting Studio Be and its commitment to expanding arts access for historically underrepresented youth ages 13-24, prioritizing LGBTQ+, justice impacted, BIPOC and other youth who experience barriers to access to the arts and supportive mentor/peer opportunities.

An ever-curious learner, SAMPADA continues to explore, experiment, and bring her artistic vision to life through traditional art, contemporary interpretation, and community engagement."

Kelsey Ferrara: “Dusk”

“Kelsey "Charlie" Ferrara is a visual and literary artist based in Morrisville, North Carolina. Their work often explores ways to maintain hope and childlike wonder in the face of adversity. They are passionate about nature, books, volunteering, mutual aid, and community building. When Charlie isn't making art, you can usually find them reading, traveling, daydreaming, or looking for frogs in a nearby creek.”

Mayanthi Jayawardena : “Threads of Gold”

Mayanthi Jayawardena is a multidisciplinary artist and founder of Serendib Creative LLC, creating vibrant murals, fine art, digital illustration, and design. Drawing on over nine years in public health, her work transforms cultural storytelling with themes of healing, equity, and empowerment. Mayanthi blends vibrant visual art with heartfelt storytelling and social consciousness. Her journey from trauma-informed advocacy to art based empowerment richly illustrates how creativity can catalyze healing—for both artist and community. When you work with Mayanthi, you're not just commissioning art—you're co-creating a thought-provoking visual story that is both personal and deeply communal.

Morrisville Mural Program

The Town of Morrisville is now home to three murals! We are thrilled to activate and enhance the cultural connectivity and vitality of the Town through engaging artwork and creative placemaking. Check out the murals below for more information on where you can find them. Post a photo with our murals and use #morrisvillemurals to possibly be featured on our social media.

Your browser does not support inline frames.<br /> <br /> Please visit <a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eBmZARAuQmQ" target="_blank"><strong>Morrisville Murals</strong></a>