Conway Elementary received a grant from the Stafford Museum and Cultural Center to create a mural that highlights the region’s history. The museum’s mural initiative focuses on representing Stafford County’s rich history in the form of mural artwork in Stafford County Schools. PONSHOP co-owner, Gabriel Pons, collaborated with Conway Elementary teacher, Alicia Rodriguez in conceptualizing mural art that spoke to the legacy of the Patawomeck Tribe in the county and the impact of their agricultural practices on our present-day community.
The mural is titled “Generations”, alluding to the constancy of growth and change through the seasons and the passing of knowledge from generation to generation. Located at the entrance to the school’s courtyard garden, the mural acts as a portal to the outside as well as a passage in time, reflecting on the migratory practices of the Patawomeck tribe, their intimate understanding of the landscape as well as highlighting their “Three Sisters” method - strategically planting corn, beans, and squash together - capitalizing on their symbiotic relationship of growth.
Preliminary Concept Sketch
This has been a project over a year in the making, with early conversations with Mrs. Rodriguez regarding the placement and theme of the mural (she also assisted on executing the painting). We’d like to extend our gratitude to Principal Raybold for facilitating this project and all the faculty and staff at Conway Elementary for their support. Thanks to Dr. Brad Hatch, Tribal Council Member of the Patawomeck Museum and Cultural Center for his consultation at the project’s onset. Special thanks to the students of Conway Elementary for their sustained encouragement throughout the painting process and sharing their “One Family” enthusiasm. Thanks to Stafford County student, Kaia Jensen for her mural assistance. This project is a partnership between the Stafford Museum Cultural Center, Stafford Public County Schools, and the Stafford Education Foundation.