The New Fredericksburg Landmark!
Nurture Diversity & Cultivate Harmony
Fredericksburg has experienced a lot of history, and many community efforts, but few events have pulled our community together quite like the MOREArt! mosaic mural project.
Various pieces of different materials, colors, shapes and sizes have been unified to create a beautiful and inspirational landscape. The goal of promoting the acceptance of diversity and the idea of respecting differences speaks to all involved, and to all who will view this mural for years to come. The mural visually and symbolically promotes the affirming message of "nurture diversity" and "cultivate harmony".
Nine students of differing backgrounds from the Fredericksburg City Schools were selected to be on the Youth MOREart! Team. We met with the project directors on a weekly basis from February-June at the Original Walker-Grant School to assemble pieces of the mural. We got to know one another through the simple act of creating and working together towards a common goal.
The on-site installation of the mural took place the middle of June, and hundreds of volunteers joined together to help create and build the amazing 31' x 8' mosaic mural. People from all walks of life came to the site to learn how to put up pieces. Volunteers were invited to donate items that held special cultural significance to them. These items have been embedded in the borders next to a row of mirrors which reflect the viewers, who also become important pieces of the mosaic.
The Unveiling of the Mosaic Mural took place at the fabulous Roxbury Farm & Garden Center on July 6th, 2007. Many notable speakers shared words of wisdom and inspiration with the crowd of hundreds, and the mayor proclaimed the date as MOREart! Day for the City! The celebration continued until nightfall with food, drink and live music.
This new Fredericksburg landmark represents hope for a unified and accepting world in which to live. I am proud to be a part of this community and thankful for the opportunity to work with the MOREart! mosaic mural project.
Krystle Demboski is a Senior at James Monroe H.S. with interests in Photography, Asian Studies, Art and Technology. kdummer14@aol.com
