Winston-Salem, N.C. – September 9, 2026 -- Reynolds American Inc. unveiled a nearly 33,000-square-foot mural on the north-facing wall of its Reynolds Central Distribution Center building at 1133 Reynolds Boulevard, a piece the artists believe is the largest mural on the East Coast by wall area.
Mural marks 150th anniversary of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Commissioned in early 2025, the artwork commemorates the 150th anniversary of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, founded in 1875. Local artists Leo Rucker and Joey Allen completed the piece using roughly 9,000 spray paint cans and 50,000 square feet of paint coverage, logging nearly 2,000 hours of work over 15 months.
Artwork depicts company and city history from founding to modern revitalization
The mural traces R.J. Reynolds' arrival in Winston-Salem by horse through phases of agriculture, manufacturing, research and innovation, ending with the city's contemporary redevelopment. Rucker said the concept drew on historic photographs and milestone moments tied to the company, Whitaker Park and Winston-Salem.
Whitaker Park site links century-old manufacturing history to ongoing research operations
The Reynolds Central Distribution Center building, constructed in 1953 within Whitaker Park, supported R.J. Reynolds' Research & Development organization, established in 1911 and now operating as the Bowman Gray Technical Center. More than 400 scientists currently work at the center, which has contributed to Reynolds American's transition toward smokeless product lines.
Kara Calderon, senior director of community engagement and sustainability at Reynolds American, said Whitaker Park continues to attract new investment and partnerships while the mural preserves ties to the area's industrial past.