Workers have begun the process of demolishing a Chapel Hill gas station that was home to a mural of the late UNC basketball coach Dean Smith. A future location for a similar mural has yet to be decided on.

The gas station, located at 1950 U.S. Highway 15-501 North, was formerly a Cruizers location before the brand was purchased by Refuel. It also featured retail space separate from the gas station that hasn’t been recently used. Now, Refuel plans to construct a new gas station and convenience store on the property. The new location will not feature a mural of Dean Smith.

The Dean Smith mural on the back of Refuel. (Henry Taylor/Chapel Hill Media Group)

The mural was painted by local artist Scott Nurkin in 2015, shortly after Smith’s passing. His other work in the area includes a Carrboro mural of folk and blues musician Elizabeth Cotten, and another of Chapel Hill-born musician Floyd Council. He is also responsible for the iconic “Greetings from Chapel Hill” mural outside of He’s Not Here.

In an interview with the News & Observer, Nurkin said he is seeking other Chapel Hill businesses who would be interested in having him repaint the legendary UNC basketball coach’s visage. As of Wednesday, April 16, he has yet to do so.

 

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Refuel Prepares to Open Renovated Chapel Hill Location; Will Feature New Local Mural
Refuel will celebrate the reopening of a newly renovated gas station, featuring a new mural, in Chapel Hill on Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m.
Buc-ee's Breaks Ground on New Mebane Travel Center, First in North Carolina
Leaders from across Alamance County, the North Carolina General Assembly, and Buc-ee's representatives gathered to break ground.
Pair of Crashes Cause Significant Traffic, Emergency Responses in Orange County on Friday
As people are starting their travels for the Labor Day weekend, those around Hillsborough are experiencing significant traffic delays from separate crashes. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office alerted drivers to a crash along Interstate 85 near the county line with Durham just before 1 p.m. on Friday, sharing an aerial photo of a tractor trailer […]
Uproar Festival Announces 2025 Winning Artists And Runners-Up
Orange County's Uproar Festival of Public Art announced its juried winner and its people's choice winner, who will both receive $10,000.
Orange County Arts Community Set for Uproar Festival Despite Recent Flood Damage
Orange County's Uproar Festival of Public Art returns on Aug. 1 – and it comes as the arts community recovers from catastrophic flooding.
‘Mind Your Business’: Local Openings, Closings and Updates in April-June 2025
Check out the different local business updates from the greater Chapel Hill community from April to June in Chapelboro's quarterly roundup.
County Lines: Pittsboro’s Newest Artwork Provokes Public Debate
In the shadow of the historic Chatham County Courthouse, beside the roundabout which earned the “Circle City” its nickname, a newly installed piece of artwork stands tall.
Chatham County Roundup: Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp
Pittsboro Mayor Kyle Shipp joins 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Ahead of a presentation by Chatham Park to the county commissioners, Shipp shares some of the latest updates from the large-scale development and some of the land-use strategies the town is discussing with the developers within their massive project. […]
Viewpoints: A Critical Review of the Power of Good Trouble by Sadie Rose
Chapel Hill has long been lauded, and demonized, for its progressive values. Its commitment to equity is embedded in policies at all levels, and its embrace of a community engagement plan in 2023 stands as a commitment to inclusion.
Chapel Hill Removes New Artwork at Peace & Justice Plaza, Citing 'Deep Division' Over One Detail
Chapel Hill staff removed the latest art display at the Peace & Justice Plaza on Wednesday, citing division caused by a pro-Palestine symbol.
›