A Friday Morning with Muralist Heidi Nisbett in Damascus

A Friday Morning with Muralist Heidi Nisbett in Damascus, Virginia

This past Friday morning, I spent time in the heart of Damascus, Virginia, photographing local muralist Heidi Nisbett as she painted a new mural in the town park. This vibrant work of art is her fifth mural in Damascus, adding even more beauty to the community and expanding the growing collection of public art in Damascus, VA.

Visitors and locals alike may already be familiar with Heidi’s work. Her colorful, nature-inspired murals brighten walls across town and have become part of Damascus’s visual identity. Each piece reflects her love for the outdoors, often featuring landscapes, native plants, and winding trails that reflect the area’s strong ties to the Appalachian Trail.

Heidi’s journey as an artist is rooted in both skill and adventure. She grew up in South Carolina and earned her BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Winthrop University in 2015. In 2018, she completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, carrying a sketchbook to paint the scenery and moments she experienced. Since then, she has hiked more than 3,000 miles on trails across the country, including the Superior Hiking Trail, the Pinhoti Trail, the Foothills Trail, and parts of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. Her artwork reflects these experiences and celebrates the beauty of the natural world.

Photographing Heidi at work in Damascus was a rewarding experience. Early morning light filled the park as she moved with steady focus, layering colors and shapes onto the wall. People passing through often paused to watch, showing how public art can connect neighbors and visitors alike.

In addition to documenting her newest mural, I also photographed her other murals in Damascus. Together, they create a walking tour of small-town art in Virginia, each piece telling its own story while sharing a connection to place.

By the time I finished photographing, the sun had shifted, and Heidi’s mural was on full display, with the shade from the building providing her some much-needed relief. This new addition to Damascus’ public art already feels at home and will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

If you visit Damascus, make sure to stop by the town park to see Heidi’s latest mural and explore her other works around town. Her art tells the story of this mountain community and the landscapes that inspire it.

Capturing Conservation: My Experience Photographing the ATC’s Hardcore Trail Work at Trail Days 2025

Trail Days weekend in Damascus, VA is always a whirlwind—and this year was no exception.

Over Friday and Saturday, I worked with a brand to provide event photography coverage of their vendor booth setup, helping them create engaging content for their social media marketing. As a photographer based in Southwest Virginia, I always enjoy opportunities to document events that bring people together—especially something as iconic as Trail Days, which draws thousands of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to town each year.

But Sunday was where the heart of the weekend really hit home.

I was hired by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to photograph their annual Hardcore Trail Work Day, a long-standing tradition held the Sunday after Trail Days. I arrived early at the Appalachian Trail Center in downtown Damascus, where volunteers were gathering for breakfast, receiving custom event shirts, and getting signed up for a day of trail maintenance on the Appalachian Trail.

Two crews formed that morning—one headed across the state line into Tennessee, and the other made the 45-minute drive to Elk Garden Trailhead, where I tagged along to document their efforts. Before we left, I captured a group photo of all the volunteers—a moment of camaraderie before everyone set out for a hard day's work.

Once we arrived, the ATC staff led a quick safety briefing, thanked the volunteers, and the crew hit the trail. The group split into three teams. One focused on rerouting drainage to prevent erosion, while the others tackled blowdown cleanup from Hurricane Helene, which had damaged parts of the trail in late September 2024. Volunteers also built new steps to help hikers navigate washed-out and altered sections of the trail.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for trail work photography—cool, clear skies and ideal lighting for documenting the teamwork, effort, and passion of everyone involved. I spent the day hiking alongside the crew, capturing authentic moments in the forest and connecting with people who truly care about protecting the Appalachian Trail.

And the view from the trailhead? Absolutely stunning. One of those classic Southwest Virginia landscapes that makes you stop in your tracks and remember why these mountains mean so much to so many.

iPhone panorama image of where I parked my vehicle.

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- Ben Earp