Murals, 2024, Art Installations, Commissioned Work: Gabriel Pons, Fredericksburg Virginia, Painting, Stafford
Gabriel Pons
"Legacy" Mural at Kate Waller-Barrett Elementary
2024
Gabriel Pons
"City Flavors" Commemorative Painting and ...
2024, Art Tees, Commissioned Work: Gabriel Pons, Fredericksburg Virginia
Gabriel Pons
Latitudes Fair Trade X PONSHOP Tee Shirt ...
Virginia, Murals, Fredericksburg Virginia, Commissioned Work: Gabriel Pons, 2024
Gabriel Pons
"Habitat" Mural at James Monroe High School
Murals, Painting, Fredericksburg Virginia, Commissioned Work: Gabriel Pons
Gabriel Pons
"Welcome to Fredericksburg" Tower Project

Virginia

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"Habitat" Mural at James Monroe High School

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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.


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"Generations" Mural at Conway Elementary

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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.

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Mural at Hartwood Elementary: "Hartwood Passages"

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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.