Benjamin F. Long Fresco

“Sacred Dance and the Muses” is the largest single panel fresco in the United States. It was completed in 2004 by Ben Long, a famous muralist from North Carolina who studied art in Italy and France. The mural was conceived by Bill Wilson, the director of CoMMA at the time and commissioned by The Burke Endowment for the Arts. The project took three months to complete, with Long and his students working 40 hours a week, painting on the ceiling. The piece features the 9 muses, Greek figures who embodied music and theatre. In addition to the muses, Long included the comedy and tragedy masks as well as numerous people from his life including his teacher in Italy, some of his students and even himself. If you have not gotten a chance to see it, go by CoMMA (City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium) during box office hours to check it out and learn more!