Ballast Balance

Ballast Balance is a collaborative mural by Raleigh-based artist Jane Cheek, created to celebrate the opening of Wye Junction Park.

Inspired by the railroad ballast that supports train tracks, the mural reflects the site's rail history through stone-like forms and magnolia-inspired flowers whose stems incorporate the shape of a wye junction interchange. Patchwork details honor the area's rich textile heritage.

Created on mural cloth and installed as a collage, Ballast Balance was shaped by the community. During the park's grand opening on May 27, 2026, community members painted sections of the mural cloth. Cheek incorporated these contributions into the finished artwork, creating a lasting tribute to the people, history, and shared spirit of Wye Junction Park.