DeLand Murals & Wings Walking Tour — Public Art in the Athens of Florida
Quick answer: DeLand, Florida's mural collection is anchored by the DeLand Wings — a pair of folded angel wings painted on an Artisan Alley wall that have become the most-photographed spot in the downtown historic district. The self-guided mural walking tour covers Artisan Alley, downtown side walls, and the Stetson campus edge.
Tour details
- Distance
- ~1.2 mi loop
- Time
- ~60 min
- Start
- Artisan Alley · 634 N Artisan Alley
- Difficulty
- Easy · sidewalks only
- Cost
- Free
The DeLand Wings
The mural: A pair of folded angel wings painted on the east wall of a building along Artisan Alley. Visitors stand between the wings for a photograph — the composition frames the person as if they had sprouted wings themselves.
Origin story: The wings were painted by Erica Group, a DeLand artist, as part of Artisan Alley's transformation from a forgotten service alley into a nationally noticed cluster of galleries, maker spaces, and studios. The work has since appeared in local and national travel coverage as the visual shorthand for Artisan Alley and for DeLand's arts identity [S40, S41].
"The DeLand Wings have become the most-photographed wall in West Volusia — credit to Erica Group's folded-angel design."
Stops on the mural tour
- 1
The DeLand Wings (hero stop)
Artisan Alley, east wall
A pair of folded angel wings by Erica Group. Visitors stand between the wings for the signature DeLand photograph. [S40, S41]
- 2
Artisan Alley community mural
Rotating commissions from member artists; roster changes with First Friday events and the annual ArtFest. [S40, S41]
- 3
Artisan Alley signage mural
The hand-painted "Artisan Alley" sign at the alley entrance.
- 4
Persimmon Hollow Brewing wall mural
References to the district's pre-DeLand name (Persimmon Hollow).
- 5
Stetson-era heritage mural
Interpretive wall mural tied to Stetson University and Henry DeLand.
- 6
Athens Theatre sidewall
Commissioned work referencing the 1921 Athens Theatre.
- 7
Side-street bicycle mural
Near a downtown bike rack; a small commissioned side-street piece.
How to photograph the Wings
- Morning light (9–10am) softens the east-facing wall.
- Tripod OK, but don't block the alley.
- Solo shot framing: stand 6 ft off the wall, centered between the wings.
- Credit the artist when you post — tag #DeLandWings and credit Erica Group.
Combining murals with other tours
Combine with the downtown walking tour for a single morning. Start with coffee at a downtown café, walk the downtown district, finish at Artisan Alley.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is the DeLand Wings mural?
- On a wall in Artisan Alley, off N Artisan Alley (between Georgia Ave and the Stetson campus), DeLand, FL 32720. [S40, S41]
- Who painted the DeLand Wings?
- DeLand artist Erica Group painted the angel-wing mural that became Artisan Alley's signature. [S40, S41]
- Is the DeLand Wings mural free to visit?
- Yes — it's on a public alley wall, visible 24/7.
- How many murals are in downtown DeLand?
- The count changes year to year because Artisan Alley hosts rotating commissions. The self-guided tour on this page covers 7 stops as of the most recent update.
- When is the best time to photograph the Wings?
- Mid-morning (around 9–10am) gives soft, even light on the east-facing wall.