"Legacy" Mural at Kate Waller-Barrett Elementary

Gabriel Pons collaborated with Kate Waller-Barrett Elementary to paint a mural as part of an ongoing initiative by the Stafford Museum and Cultural Center , Stafford County Public Schools and the Stafford Education Foundation. The goal of the mural initiative is to highlight the unique history and culture of Stafford County in new and innovative ways.

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Located in the school’s cafeteria, the mural is titled, “Legacy”, and depicts the school’s namesake, Kate Waller-Barrett with an assembly of families, rendered in gestural lines and forms. At the start of the project, my initial question was “Who is Kate Waller-Barrett? and how can I spark interest in her story?” After doing plenty of homework, I assembled this summary which only scratches the surface:

Kate Waller-Barrett was born in Stafford County on 1857 and grew up to became a prominent physician, social reformer, and humanitarian. Dr. Barrett became General Superintendent of the  National Florence Crittenton Mission, a progressive organization established in 1883 to assist unmarried women and teenage girls in need.  She also played an active role in the National Council of Women. Her multi-faceted work impacted the health and livelihood of countless women of that era, advocating for women’s suffrage, healthcare and education.

Preliminary Concept Drawing

One of the most impressive qualities of Kate Waller-Barrett’s impact on the community was her sustained efforts at social justice for women through political activism. She was vice president for the Equal Suffrage League in Virginia, president of the National Council for Women, president for the American Legion Auxiliary, and vice president for the Conference of Charities and Corrections of Virginia. Her lifelong investment in social work has impacted countless families. Thanks to Kate Waller-Barrett Principal Rachel Novak and art instructor Sarah Hudson for their logistic support and collaboration throughout the project.  Also, thanks to Susan Henderson of the Stafford Museum and Cultural center for doing some archival hunting to locate Kate Waller-Barrett’s signature for me to incorporate in the mural artwork.  Most importantly, thanks to all the students and faculty of Kate Waller-Barrett. I spent a total of 70 hours painting in the cafeteria and can attest to the students’ curiosity, exuberance, and fascination with the mural-making process.  This project became more than paint on a wall, and turned into an interactive and immersive experience for the students - prompting them to ask questions and igniting their interest in our region’s history.

This project is a partnership between the Stafford Museum Cultural Center, Stafford Public County Schools, and the Stafford Education Foundation.

"Generations" Mural at Conway Elementary

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

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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.

Mural at Hartwood Elementary: "Hartwood Passages"

Gabriel Pons was commissioned by Hartwood Elementary to paint a mural as part of the partnership between the Stafford Museum and Cultural Center , Stafford County Public Schools and the Stafford Education Foundation. The goal of the mural initiative is to highlight the unique history and culture of Stafford County in creative and innovative ways.

Titled Hartwood Passages, the mural artwork is a bird’s eye view encompassing South Stafford County, Falmouth and Fredericksburg. Pons’s intention was to depict the region as an abstracted visual text, highlighting historic architectural landmarks in Hartwood as well as encouraging the viewer to explore and ask questions about other key geographic elements. Roads are interpreted both literally and metaphorically. The intersection of Interstate 95 and Route 17 creates an “X” through the center of the mural and other major throughways including route 1 and the railways, depicted as vertical stripes cutting through the landscape. The Rappahannock River, so critical to the region’s history and development, is rendered as a bold sinuous ribbon stretching from end to end, alluding to its prominence in the region. The artwork rounds out to a smooth curve at the base, referring to the global community that students participate in. The composition aims to ordinate the viewer, encouraging them to inquire about the cardinal directions, the landscape’s topography, and their own location relative to Hartwood Elementary.

Concept Sketch - Hartwood Elementary Mural

This mural was a real personal challenge for me. We’ve been living in Hartwood now since moving here from New York in 2005 and it has been home for both our sons. It becomes a “tug of war” when there are so many ideas and concepts to incorporate in an artwork. In fact, one theme I felt compelled to embed in the design is this sense of optimism and unbridled curiosity that a child feels at Hartwood Elementary. Despite the school’s location in a relatively rural setting, we are adjacent to one of the major highway systems on the eastern seaboard. It’s important to impress upon students the idea that the paths they are taking now as elementary students will soon take them well beyond the horizon.

While working on site, I became nostalgic for our school days at Hartwood Elementary. Looking back, the faculty acclimated us to being responsible parents as much as they instilled leadership values in our children. In some ways I feel that this project has brought me full circle back to those years when my boys attended Hartwood Elementary and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the school’s future.

See the key below to learn more about Hartwood Virginia’s history.