Faces of Suffolk Mural Celebration
A Community Mural Project with Artist Brian Sharp
This Spring, The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts invites the community to take part in the Faces of Suffolk Mural Celebration, a public art initiative honoring the people who shape the spirit of our city.
To be painted by artist Brian Sharp, the mural will celebrate Suffolk residents through art, capturing an interpretation of the character and diversity that define our community.
The mural will be created in real time throughout the Outdoors at The Center Spring and Summer series, giving visitors the opportunity to watch the artwork develop across several evenings of live music, specialty food, live art, and community!
Help us celebrate the people who make Suffolk special.
Nominate a Suffolk resident to be featured in our first “Faces of Suffolk” mural.
Please only nominate individuals who: Live in Suffolk, Virginia, Have given you permission to submit their name, Are willing to be photographed and publicly featured if selected.
Meet the Artist: Brian Sharp
Instagram: @painted_by_brian
Working in vivid, emotionally charged color, Brian Sharp creates portraiture that explores the depth and complexity of human feeling. His practice moves in two distinct directions: classically inspired portrait work rooted in romantic atmosphere and symbolism, and abstract portrait series that focus on emotional presence rather than physical likeness. These bodies of work exist independently, each offering a different way of understanding identity and perception.
His figurative influences include the vibrant sensitivity and narrative richness of John William Waterhouse, while his conceptual curiosity is shaped in part by the psychological and perceptual tension found in the work of René Magritte. Together, these inspirations inform a practice centered on mood, symbolism, and the unseen dimensions of experience.
Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma and now based in the Hampton Roads region with his husband, Thomas Guirkin, Sharp has been creating art since early childhood and painting professionally for more than 17 years. His work has been exhibited in galleries, offices, and cafés across the United States, earning awards for his Veiled Emotions series and gaining widespread recognition through viral exposure on social media.
At the center of his work is a commitment to making emotion visible. Whether through detailed figurative portraiture or expressive abstraction, each piece invites viewers to encounter feeling as form; to engage with the quiet, complex inner landscapes that shape how we see ourselves and one another.
First Faces of Suffolk Mural Subject: Danny Epperson
Danny Lee Epperson is a lifelong Suffolk resident whose career in media has shaped how stories are told and shared throughout the Hampton Roads region. A multifaceted media professional, Danny has built a distinguished body of work as a producer, writer, editor, host, and actor, contributing to both television and radio across multiple platforms.
His work with WHRO Public Media includes producing a range of programs that inform, engage, and connect audiences, most notably HearSay with Cathy Lewis. He also hosted and produced Cinema 15, a weekly showcase of classic films that introduced generations of viewers to the history and artistry of cinema. His experience extends to major regional outlets including WAVY-TV and WTKR-TV, where he further developed his expertise in broadcast storytelling.
Throughout his career, Danny has earned numerous national and regional honors, including three regional Emmy Awards, multiple Emmy nominations, and a collection of Telly, Communicator, and Virginia Association of Broadcasting awards. His work reflects both technical excellence and a deep commitment to meaningful, community-centered storytelling.
In addition to his broadcast career, Danny is the owner of Dandyleap Productions, where he continues to produce creative media projects, and he serves as a Digital Media Specialist for the City of Suffolk. Across all of his work, Danny remains rooted in the community that shaped him, using his skills to elevate local voices and stories.
As the first subject of the Faces of Suffolk Mural Project, Danny represents the power of storytelling and the lasting impact of those who dedicate their work to connecting and enriching their community.
“I try to approach the community with curiosity and intention. I don’t want to just capture what’s happening, but to understand why it matters and how it connects the people of the story and connects to others. I think I’m someone who notices the details, the history, and the personality of a place, and I try to reflect that back in a meaningful way through my storytelling.”
Nomination & Painting Process
The Faces of Suffolk Mural Celebration will unfold during the Outdoors at The Center events this Spring and Summer. The murals will be on the side of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts building in our outdoors area (See Below).
Nomination
Community members are encouraged to nominate someone who represents the spirit of Suffolk, including themselves.
All nominees must:
• Be a resident of Suffolk
• Consent to being photographed and represented in the mural
• Agree to allow the artist full creative interpretation of the portrait
Nominations are currently closed.
Mural Creation
Beginning April 17 – Outdoors at The Center: Whiskey & Wings
Once the model has been selected, Brian Sharp will begin painting the first mural during the April 17 event.
Visitors will be able to watch the mural come to life throughout the remaining Outdoors evenings as the painting progresses.
Sharp will continue working on the piece during:
• May 1 – Outdoors at the Center: Karaoke Night
• May 15 – Outdoors at The Center: Tacos & Tequila
Nominate a Face of Suffolk
Do you know someone who represents the heart of our city?
Or would you like to nominate yourself?
Submit a nomination to be considered as the portrait subject for the mural.
Nominations close March 26.
Nominees will be contacted to confirm their interest and consent prior to being entered into the drawing.
Outdoors at the Center
The Faces of Suffolk Mural Celebration will take place throughout the Outdoors at The Center spring series, where guests can enjoy live music, food, drinks, and rotating live artists while also watching the mural develop.
Admission to Outdoors at The Center events is free.
