The mural is located at the intersection of Smith Level Road and U.S. 15-501.
Nurkin said he began working on the project in February 2015, just two days after Smith’s death. Nurkin said the project is also fully commissioned and funded by himself.
“I wanted to do something to honor Smith even before his death,” Nurkin said.
Nurkin said he is working every day on his murals, including his mural of Dean Smith, from nine to five.
Nurkin said he always wanted to be an artist. After graduating from UNC, he got an internship with Chapel Hill muralist Michael Brown.
Nurkin continued to work with Brown after the internship ended.