PONSHOP owner Gabriel Pons and Team Sophiola have completed a mural in the courtyard of James Monroe High School during the summer of 2024. This is the fourth public mural that Ms. Pineda and Pons have accomplished together since 2021. Titled “Habitat”, this 980 Square-Foot mural is a collaboration between Fredericksburg City Schools, Sophiola, PONSHOP, and community volunteers. The inspiration for the artwork came primarily from the school’s unique geographic location, situated between the city’s canal path and the Rappahannock River - highlighting the wildlife, flora and fauna of the area.
The mural project initiated in the Spring of 2023 when Pons and Sophia Pineda worked together in his studio, creating sketches and studies of the different components: the blue heron, local fish, and the river otter. On-site painting kicked off later that summer (July) and the team started priming the walls and transferring the line work.
This project was made possible through the initiatives of James Monroe High School teachers, Casey Willging and David Lovegrove, the Pineda Family (Sophiola) and Team Bayne/Pineda-Cary Street Partners. Special thanks to the all student volunteers that contributed to painting the mural throughout the year. Thanks to all the faculty and staff of Fredericksburg City Schools that helped facilitate the mural initiative. Thanks to Sherwin Williams paint for supporting this project with paint supplies.
Team Sophiola: Carol and Andre Pineda, Sophia Pineda, Vicky Barrera
PONSHOP Assistants: Dante Jenkins, Gillian Hoback, Megan Shaughnessy, Cairo Pons
Learn more about Sophia Pineda and her passion for art HERE.