A new mural will be installed in Crystal City this month.
The entrance to the Mount Vernon Trail at the (recently revamped) Water Park will be the site of the 245-foot mural, which will highlight the area’s connectivity, according to artist J.D. Deardourff.
“The shapes of the map flow with the curvy shape of the wall, with a shifting gradient of greens and blues to illustrate the Mount Vernon Trail as a connection between an urban environment, land and the Potomac River,” Deardourff told ARLnow.
Deardourff drew inspiration from a vintage map of the area, emulating the neighborhood’s topographical features in 1910 to convey its transformation.
“With a wall like this,” Deardourff said, “you want the design to be simple enough to pop if you’re speeding by on a bike, but have enough detail to reward close inspection and multiple viewings.”
Deardourff’s design was unanimously chosen from 30 submissions in the competition, overseen by the National Landing Business Improvement District. He was awarded a $40,000 contract for the work.
“We want the mural to transform the way people interact with our neighborhood and be a welcome invitation to explore National Landing’s connectivity,” said Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, president and executive director of National Landing BID.
Based out of D.C., Deardourff has also produced art at George Washington University and Amazon’s HQ2 in Pentagon City. Other finalists included artists based in Annapolis, New York City, Italy and Boston.
