Muskogee Unveils Design for Downtown Mural as Part of Coca-Cola’s Paint the Nation Initiative

Love Bottling Company and ABV Agency today unveiled the final design for a mural in downtown Muskogee. The public art project will transform the southwest-facing wall of the Ruth Kelly Studio building into a vibrant tribute to the city’s rich history, iconic landmarks and enduring community spirit. The mural is part of Coca-Cola’s nationwide Paint the Nation initiative, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.

The artwork, designed by Oklahoma City-based muralist Malcolm Byers, brings together many of Muskogee’s most distinguished landmarks into a single visual tribute to the city’s history and identity. The mural prominently features the Welcome to Muskogee sign, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in the Depot District, USS Batfish, the Roxy Theater—home of the Oklahoma Movie Hall of Fame—the Five Civilized Tribes Museum and Three Rivers Museum. It also honors the Jack C. Montgomery Veterans Hospital and pays tribute to the late Robert Kelly and his family’s lasting impact on the community. A vintage Coca-Cola mural is incorporated into a small portion of the artwork, commemorating an American tradition that began in the late nineteenth century.

“This mural represents everything we love about Muskogee—its history, its people and its contributions to the American story,” said James Gulley, President & CEO of Love Bottling Company. “Coca-Cola has been part of Muskogee for more than 100 years. We’re proud to partner with them to deliver a landmark that honors our city’s heritage, celebrates the people who built it and gives future generations another reason to take pride in calling Muskogee home.”

Paint the Nation is a nationwide mural campaign created through a partnership between The Coca-Cola Company and America250. Working alongside local Coca-Cola bottling partners, the campaign will commission one signature mural in every bottler’s franchise area, transforming prominent spaces into lasting landmarks that celebrate the history, culture and character of communities across America. Each installation is developed in collaboration with regional artists and community partners, ensuring every design reflects the people, places and stories that make its hometown unique.

Installation of the mural at the Ruth Kelly Studio, 201 W. Broadway, is expected to begin on August 15. Once finished, the mural will stand with several other murals in downtown Muskogee.