From the Community Safety Works Facility and Community Improvement grant awarded in January 2023, St. Mary’s CDC will be receiving $4,500 to install a new mural in Lexington Park to coincide with the Second Annual Great Mills Road Cleanup. The CDC is partnering with St. Mary’s County Arts Council to gather artists and ideas for the mural, in hopes that it will represent the fabric of Lexington Park and honor its residents, past and present.
Staff at the Health Hub reached out to the CDC at the end of January with their interest in beautifying the side of their drive-thru, a convenient resource for many in our community. Upon receiving this inquiry, the CDC connected with the Arts Council to begin the planning process, as the two organizations have regularly partnered for previous mural installations. Representatives from Cedar Point Federal Credit Union also expressed their intention to support the joint effort.
As a part of the Second Annual Cleanup effort, the mural is expected to be in progress during the weekend of the event, but plans are still being finalized. The public will be welcome to join the painting process once it’s underway, so make sure to check our website and Facebook for updates.
Last week, St. Mary’s CDC released a survey to the public to gauge what themes they hope to see – read the responses below!
- Please include LGBTQ rep on the mural- we would be happy to help!
- The mural should reflect the immediate neighborhood. It should be something that the residents would enjoy, and that would reflect their lifestyles. But since this is a “health hub”, perhaps reflect famous doctors or scientists relating to medicine – who are/were people of color?
- Would love to see something that reflects hope, unity and diversity with happy colors
- naturalist mural/ biological in nature/ organic/ bright colors
- Would love to see a mural celebrating people of color and women who have been influential in their contributions to our community!
- Something that highlights the prebase time and the African Americans community that was and is still there.
- For almost 50 years, I love seeing the spirited, diverse groups of young folks playing impromptu pick up games of basketball all over the Lexington Park and Great Mills area. Of course the cherry trees, they brought beauty to the Flat Tops and now to the Passive Park. St. Inies Coffee Shop because it is so community minded. Our wonderful library which is a resource for all. LP Rescue Squad are life savers. Linda’s Cafe . . .
- To me, Lexington Park is a melting pot of all colors and ethnicity. I would like to see a mural representing everyone that lives here. Black women/men, Latinos and Asians that all live here in this community. “ Love is Color”.
- Flight is a theme of Lexington Park, the city developed when the Naval Air Station came to the county. Astronauts train here and new aircraft get tested here. The cherry trees and their renewal are emblematic of how we want to see Lexington Park renew and grow.
- As we already have a mural off of Shangri-La decorated with a lighthouse, perhaps consider making this mural dedicated to community leaders who have since passed by adding their portraits to the mural. Ensure the mural reflects the diversity of the community.
