Mural | 5 Royales Mural

THE “5” ROYALES MURAL

In 2024, world-class muralist Elio Mercado (aka Evoca1) painted a mural of the “5” Royales on a wall of the historic Big Winston Warehouse in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The mural is near the corner of Trade Street and MLK, Jr. Drive, at an intersection of Downtown's Arts and Entertainment districts. It sits close to places the “5” Royales frequented from the 1920s - 1960s, including childhood homes, churches, and schools.

Pictured left to right on the mural are Jimmy Moore, Obadiah Carter, Eugene Tanner, John Tanner, and Lowman Pauling. Lowman Pauling is also shown muted in the background playing his guitar in his signature style.

Muralist Elio Mercado grew up in the Dominican Republic and taught himself to make art. Now people around the world admire his murals, sculpture, and paintings. In late June 2024, Mercado travelled from his home in Florida to Winston-Salem to paint the “5” Royales mural. Daily, people came out in the hot sun to watch him paint, some Googling the name of the “5” Royales and listening to their music.

Elio Mercado enjoyed the warm welcome he and his family received in Winston-Salem, including from “5” Royales family members. Mercado said this was his favorite type of mural to paint, one that the community appreciates and that brings back to life important people from the area’s past. He felt great when he learned that “5” Royales fans from as far away as Australia were sending Lowman Pauling’s son social media posts praising the mural.

On August 10th, 2024, Mayor Allen Joines led the mural ribbon-cutting ceremony. The “5” Royales Roots of Rock ‘N’ Roll Bash followed in the Big Winston courtyard. People of all ages from around the city and beyond celebrated with music, dance, and food. With the creation of the “5” Royales mural, the “5” Royales’ spirit of fun, creativity, and innovation lives on for new generations to enjoy.